When the longer days and warmer temperatures lure us outside to the garden, we start to dream of beautiful spring flowers and fresh summer vegetables.
But March can be our snowiest month of the year, so it is best to bide our time and focus on planning and prep work during March’s warmer days.
- Warm temperatures will coax some perennials to begin sprouting, with the first of the bulb plants emerging. Blooming crocus in the snow is a common sight in Colorado.
- Now is a good time to give your garden a bit of water if the snowfall has been low. Take care not to over water and pick a few days where the weather is expected to be warm & sunny.
- It is still too early to plant anything new, unless you have a greenhouse set up or can provide coverage for those unexpected snow squalls. Cool season vegetables like potatoes, cabbage, peas and lettuces could get a start in a hot-box. Pansies and snap dragons can be hardy enough to withstand some March weather.
- Shape up your evergreens, but take care not to trim more than twenty percent at once to avoid shock.
- Turn over garden beds and add some compost to enrich the soil.
- Stir your compost piles if you have them.
- Clear pathways and tidy up the shed. Make a note of anything you’ll need to pick up and have on hand for the season. Sharpen any tools and stock up on supplies.
- Don’t clear out the leaves and stems from last year until the weather is above 50F. The pollinators are still taking refuge there until it is warm enough.
- Be sure to always turn off all outside water faucets and disconnect hoses after use to keep the pipes from freezing.
- Know your hardiness zone (most of the metro area is zone 4) when picking out plants and planning layouts.
