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March Gardening Tips: Is Your Garden Ready for Spring?
March is that in-between month, winter isn’t quite finished, but spring is definitely knocking at the door. The days are getting longer, the soil is starting to warm, and it’s the perfect time to set your garden up for a successful (and beautiful!) summer.
If you want thriving flowers, productive veggies, and fewer headaches later, now is the time to get moving. Here are 10 essential things to do in March to prepare your garden for summer.
Clean Up Garden Beds
Start by clearing away leftover leaves, dead annuals, broken stems, and winter debris. This not only makes your garden look tidy but also helps prevent pests and disease from taking hold.
Tip: Be gentle around perennials — some beneficial insects may still be sheltering there.
Test and Improve Your Soil
Healthy soil = healthy plants.
March is the perfect time to:
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Test your soil’s pH and nutrient levels
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Add compost or aged manure
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Work in organic matter to improve drainage
If the soil isn’t soggy, loosen it up so roots can grow easily once planting season begins.
Prune Trees and Shrubs
Late winter to early spring is ideal for pruning many trees and shrubs before new growth begins.
Focus on:
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Removing dead or damaged branches
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Shaping shrubs
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Improving airflow
Avoid pruning spring-flowering shrubs (like lilacs or forsythia) until after they bloom.
Start Seeds Indoors
March is the prime seed-starting season for summer crops like:
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Tomatoes
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Peppers
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Eggplant
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Herbs
Use seed trays, quality seed-starting mix, and plenty of light. Starting early gives you strong transplants ready for warmer weather.
Divide Perennials
If your perennials looked crowded last year, now’s the time to divide them. This encourages healthier growth and gives you free plants to expand your garden or share with friends.
Good candidates include hostas, daylilies, and ornamental grasses.
Apply Mulch (But Not Too Soon)
Wait until the soil has warmed slightly, then apply a fresh layer of mulch. This helps:
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Retain moisture
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Suppress weeds
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Regulate soil temperature
Avoid piling mulch against plant stems or tree trunks.
Fertilize Early Bloomers
Feed early spring bloomers and bulbs with a balanced fertilizer to support strong flowering and root development.
If you planted bulbs last fall, they’ll appreciate a nutrient boost as they emerge.
Check Garden Tools & Equipment
Before the busy season hits:
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Sharpen pruners and shears
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Clean and oil tools
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Check hoses for leaks
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Service your lawnmower
A little maintenance now saves frustration later.
Plan and Map Your Garden
Take time to sketch out your garden layout. Consider:
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Crop rotation for vegetables
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Companion planting
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Sun exposure
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Spacing needs
Planning now helps avoid overcrowding and maximizes your harvest.
Watch the Weather
March weather can be unpredictable. Keep an eye on:
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Late frosts
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Heavy rains
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Sudden temperature drops
Have row covers or frost cloth ready to protect tender plants if needed.
Get Ready for a Beautiful Summer Garden
March is all about preparation. A few focused weekends now can make a huge difference when summer arrives. By cleaning, pruning, feeding, and planning early, you’re setting the stage for strong growth, vibrant blooms, and an abundant harvest.
So grab your gloves, soak up that early spring sunshine, and get your garden ready. Summer will be here before you know it! 🌿✨
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- EASIER SEED STARTING: Our Burpee SuperSeed tray with 36 flexible pop-out cells is designed to simplify indoor seed starting for all your favorite vegetables, flowers and herbs. Just add seed starting mix, seeds, water and light to get growing! Rows are labeled alphanumerically for seedling identification with included Plant-o-Gram diagram. Tray dimensions: 11.5" x 10-3/8" x 2-1/4"
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- SEED STARTER TIP: Many favorite vegetables, including peppers and tomatoes, must be started indoors before warmer weather arrives. Start pepper seeds 8-10 weeks before your area’s average last frost date, and tomato seeds 6-8 weeks before last frost. Check your Burpee seed packets for instructions on when and how to plant any of your herb, flower and vegetable seeds.
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- Step-by-step advice for success with more than 30 vegetables in any zone|The dirt on soil: why testing is so important—and how to do it|Easy techniques for growing in-ground plus alternatives to traditional raised beds|Seed-starting and -saving methods simplified|Gardeners’ friends and foes: which plants help (or hinder) vegetables|Enlightening (and humorous!) anecdotes from fellow gardeners|Space for noting observations and experiences|More than 150 full-color photos|Essential reference tables and charts|Much much more!
