I love March. It is the sure promise that winter is coming to an end around here. Even though I started quite a few seeds last month, March is my official kick-off to the gardening season. I will be able to get outdoors a lot more this month. Wahoo!
Seeds I’m Starting Indoors this Month
- Peppers {Ancho/Pablano Chili Peppers, Itialian Marconi Golden Peppers, and Sweet Cherry Blend Peppers}
- Echinacea {known as the cone flower}
- Zinnias {I like the Envy, Fantasy, and Fireball Blend}
- Toy Bok Choy
- Cauliflower
- Sprouts
- Microgreens
See the full list of seeds I’ll be planting this year
What I Plan to Plant or Transplant Outside this Month
- Fava Beans {direct sow into the garden}
- Strawberries {from plants that I buy}
- Potatoes {make sure to get seed potatoes, find out why here}
- Radishes {direct sow outside}
- Sugar Snap Peas {direct sow outside}
- Cabbage {mostly for the HH}
- Broccoli {Broccoli Di Cicco, Romanesco, and Broccoli Raab Rapini}
- Spinach {I plan to start seeds in the greenhouse gutters}
Plants and/or Bulbs I Plan to Purchase this Month
- Seed Potatoes {How to plant potatoes}
- Strawberry Runners {How to plant strawberries}
What I plan to Harvest This Month
- Sprouts {How to grow sprouts}
- Microgreens {How to grow microgreens}
- Lettuce from the greenhouse
Houseplants and Indoor Bulbs
Continue to nurture forced bulbs. You should see the starts of the bulbs sprouting up now. If you haven’t already, move them to a bright location. House plants may benefit from a light feeding now.
Trees and Shrubs
Time to prune fruit trees. Prune raspberry canes before they start to get leaves. If you have roses, now is the time to apply their first feeding–actually all trees and shrubs could benefits from a feeding at this point.
Weed and Pest Control
There is probably some weeding to do this month. Make sure to pull them early before they become the bane of your existence.
Lawn Care
As crazy as it sounds, grass is fragile right now. Too much traffic on the cold, soggy ground can lead to damaging the dirt below, so try to limit foot traffic. Take the same care in your garden beds this month, making sure to walk only on designated walking rows.
These garden chores are based on my Zone 8a Seattle/Tacoma WA location. Find your garden zone HERE.
Karin Carson says
Still -16 highs at nite and -2 today at 1pm and snow covering the grass, will be mid April before I can work ground and garden in after May Day long weekend.
Denise says
Can I ask what kind of luck you have starting echinacea from seed?
I’ve heard it’s tough, and I just planted about a dozen two weeks ago, and so far, I have one measly sprout.
I’m not sure what to think, I just know they are super expensive to buy at the store!
Carlye Rankin says
My husband and I went to the local nursery to pick up a Big Bag Bed. Tomorrow we will get my soil mixture – what is the best for raise beds? I know i will use mushroom compost but there are so many choices. I am expanding my garden so I will be adding whatever it is called that makes your soil light. lol it looks kind of like oatmeal? thanks for your help.
i will also be planting broccoli, cabbage and lettuce seeds – direct sow.
Francisca says
I have a couple of questions. My main garden bed has lots of weeds and some grass growing in it. I have pulled many out but was wondering if I can just rototill it all then add my compost in and be good to go or will that just encourage the weeds and grass to continue to grow? My husband wants to just take the round up to it all before we add the compost but I am concerned that that will kill all my great earth worms. HELP what should I be doing?
Mavis Butterfield says
Lot’s of people till up their grass and then plant their garden. The grass will grow back, but at least you won’t have to deal with it until the end of the season.
Francisc says
Thanks that will be easier. Received my seed order from Botanical Interests today. Thanks for the link. Our weather here in Port Angeles is much cooler than you in Seattle so I purchased as many of the early varieties seeds that I could. I am really excited to get started. I am using grow lights for the first time too which should give me a great start. I am so glad I found your blog. It really has taught me a lot and since we are in the same area I follow your lead. Thank you!
Mavis Butterfield says
You will do great! 🙂