This time of year is soooooo hard for me, because the weather is starting to get nice and I really just want to plant EVERYTHING. I feel like a caged horse that needs to run–I have to keep my cool, though, and wait it out. Luckily, there are plenty of things I can start, which usually distracts me from getting over-zealous and planting outside too early.:)
Seeds to Start Indoors in March
This month, I plan on continuing to take care of the seeds I started last month. I started basil before I left on vacation {fingers crossed the HH has kept it watered}. My freezer is getting low on pesto, so this new batch couldn’t come soon enough.
Seeds to Start Outdoors in March
I plan on sowing my lettuce, {more} peas, radish and spinach seeds directly outdoors this month. I probably could have started some of them last month, but I have found that they grow about the same rate when I plant them in February vs. March {I think it’s because the cold slows down the germination process considerably in February, but that’s just a theory}. Plus, I still had some prep work to do in the yard, so it worked out okay. Towards the end of the month, I will also start swiss chard and beets outside.
What I plan to Transplant Outside this Month
I don’t really have anything to transplant outside this month. If you started lettuce indoors {or any of the other above mentioned plants}, you can harden them off and plant them outside if the weather in your area is mild like mine. It’s also a good time toplant strawberries, blueberries or raspberries. I planted those last month, but again, my area is super mild weathered.
Vegetables to Harvest this Month
Again, the only thing I’ll be harvesting this month are sprouts from my Botanical Interests Sprouter.
Houseplants and Indoor Bulbs
As the days get longer, you may see houseplants start to perk up a bit. If you didn’t last month, give them a diluted fertilizer this month to ease them awake. If you forced bulbs, you probably are seeing green shoots by now. Make sure to continue to water them {but not over water}.
Basic Yard Maintenance
If you couldn’t get outside last month, prune fruit trees and other bushes this month before they start to bud. It’s also a good time to spray dormant oil on your fruit trees {as long as you have a 48 hour window of no freezing temps}. If you are just starting your garden area, this is a good month to dig it out and create your space {assuming you are not dealing with a rock solid frozen tundra still}. I’ll be busy most of the month getting my gardening beds ready {provided the HOA decides to cooperate}.
Home Maintenance Outside
March is pretty much the last low-maintenance month, so unless you have basic repairs, you can rest easy. Get pruning shears, etc. sharpened if they need to be so that you can tackle the growing season without grunts the neighbors can hear.
Home Maintenance Inside
Finish up your de-cluttering, if you committed to it this year. Next month will bring a lot more consistently nice weather and you will want to be able to get out and enjoy it. It’s a good time to start your spring cleaning too. Wash bedding, give the ceiling fans a good dusting, vacuum baseboards, etc.
As always, most of my advice is geared around the Northwest, but you can find your garden zone HERE and tweak my suggestions as necessary.
~Mavis
beth says
What are doing in the first photo? Protecting seeds or seedlings?
I just booked a week of vacation in early May. I am sure all the snow will be gone by then and I hope the yard has dried up enough to allow me to do some work. Late May is the traditional planting time in my part of Ontario, Canada because the danger of frost has usually passed.