FAQ: What garden tasks should I do in March?

Among the most frequently asked questions, "When is the best time to...", is near the top of the list. Here are a few gardening tasks for March organized by region.

Northeast States: Frost is possible. Continue pruning dormant deciduous fruit trees, shrubs, vines; but avoid removing spring flower buds. Order spring flowering bulbs, onion sets, strawberries, rhubarb, and asparagus, if you haven’t already. Add mulch to planting beds, if needed. Plant bare-root fruit trees and shrubs. Clean and oil garden tools.

Mid-Atlantic States: Frost is possible. Continue pruning dormant deciduous fruit trees, shrubs, vines. Avoid removing spring-blooming flower buds. Spray dormant oil on dormant fruit trees, if you haven’t done so yet. Add mulch to planting beds, if needed. Take soil samples to your local Cooperative Extension Service for analysis. Adjust pH, if necessary. Plant bare-root fruit trees and shrubs. Clean and oil garden tools.

Mid-South States: Late frost is possible. Continue pruning dormant deciduous fruit trees, shrubs, vines. Spray dormant oil on dormant fruit trees, if you haven’t done so yet. Fertilize fruit trees and shrubs when dormant, if you haven't done it yet. Add mulch to planting beds, if needed. Take soil samples to your local Cooperative Extension Service for analysis. Adjust pH, if necessary.

Lower South and Gulf States: Finish dormant pruning of deciduous fruit trees, shrubs and vines. Do not spray fruit trees with pesticides if flowers are in bloom. For that matter, don’t spray any flowering shrub or tree with pesticides while flowers are in bloom. Fertilize fruiting shrubs, trees and small fruits.

Plains and Rocky Mountain States: Follow the same regimen as for Northeast States.

Pacific Southwest and Desert States: Follow regimen for Lower South and Gulf States.

Pacific Northwest States: Follow the same regimen as for Mid-Atlantic States.

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