March is a great month to fertilize established trees and shrubs in the landscape. If you have never had your soil analyzed to determine fertilizer requirements don't wait any longer. Soil testing is recommended every 2 to 3 years in eastern North Carolina. If you don't have soil test recommendations or in years between soil testing, fertilize with products containing between 10 and 16 percent nitrogen. Fertilizers such as 16-4-8, 12-4-8, or 12-6-6 have the ideal ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium for woody plants. Follow instructions on the bag or soil test results to determine the amount to apply. Consider using slow release fertilzers.
Spruce Up Planting Beds for Spring
Hand pull or spray unwanted winter annual weeds in flower and shrub beds during March. Redefine bed edges with a shovel or rent a Trenchmaster from your local rental center to create crisp clean bed edges. Once weeds are removed and clean bed edges created, add a fresh layer of organic mulch to prevent summer annual weeds and give your landscape a fresh look. Pine straw, pine bark mini-nuggets, pine bark mulch, shredded hardwood, shredded cypress, and cedar are just a few good mulch choices. Apply so the entire mulch layer is no greater than 4 inches deep. Keep mulch away from plant stems to avoid moisture and rodent damage.
Early Vegetables
Continue planting early vegetables during March. Below are seven vegetables that can be planted in March along with a list of suggested varieties:
| Vegetable: | Varieties: |
|---|---|
| Beets | Ruby Queen, Early Wonder |
| Broccoli | DeCicco, Green Comet, Premium Crop, Green Duke |
| Cauliflower | Early Snowball "A" |
| Kale | Green Curled Scotch, Siberian, Vates |
| Kohlrabi | White Vienna, Grand Duke Hybrid |
| Leaf Lettuce | Grand Rapids, Salad Bowl, Buttercrunch |
| Mustard | Southern Giant Curled, Tendergreen |
March Gardening Checklist
Continue broadleaf weed control in lawn areas as needed. The best long term solution to controlling weeds is to keep your lawn healthy. Service lawn mowing equipment and make sure mower blades are sharpened. A dull blade tears, making grass susceptible to diseases.
Prune spring flowering shrubs after they bloom.
Fall is best, but March is a good time to plant trees, shrubs, vines, groundcovers, roses, pecans, and fruit trees when soil conditions permit (not too wet, not frozen).
If needed, prune spring flowering shrubs after they bloom.
If needed, prune broadleaf evergreens and summer flowering trees and shrubs if not done in February.
Dogwood spot anthracnose begins on blooms and later spreads to leaves as they come out as blooms fade. Inspect dogwoods for small circular spots on blooms that are purple around the edges and tan in the center. Treat with Immunex if spots are noted according to label instructions at time of bloom drop and leaf out to prevent spread to foliage.
Rose black spot may already be present if foliage has emerged and weather conditions are warm and moist enough. Inspect roses for black spot and begin a fungicide application program to prevent spread if noticed.
Much to do in March...
Moonscaping is the new term for a trend in gardening that is actually a traditional practice. Designing the landscape for evening enjoyment is a way for people to enjoy their gardens after work, but was also popular among gardeners at the turn of the century. A typical moonscape features night-blooming and fragrant flowers, night lighting, and water features that gurgle soothingly.
Apply pre-emergent herbicide in early March and consider applying a second application 6 weeks later. These chemicals work by preventing the seed from germinating. There fore, it is important that the herbicides be applied in early spring, before growth of the weed seedling begins.
Let spring flowering bulb foliage die back naturally. This allows the bulbs to store nutrients for the next growing season.
Rejuvenate your liriope (not mondo grass) by using a lawn mower to cut back the old foliage to a height of 2-3 inches. Avoid mowing too closely and damaging the crown of the plant since that is where the new growth emerges.
If your tiller turns over sluggishly in the spring, before trying to start it, move it to a sunny location and cover it with a black plastic garbage bag for half an hour. A few minutes of solar heating will warm up the fluids and make starting easier.
Hedges can receive their first pruning this month. As you prune, be sure to leave the base of the plant wider than the top. This allows sunlight to get to the bottom of the plant, creating a full, dense hedge. Remember, remove dead, diseased, and damaged wood first and then prune to shape the hedge into the desired size and form.
One To Grow On...
If you have never had your soil analyzed to determine fertilizer requirements-don't wait any longer. Soil test kits are available at the Extension Office. Soil testing is recommended every two or three years in eastern North Carolina. Do not fertilize newly planted trees and shrubs unless recommended by soil test results. Otherwise, wait until the next spring to fertilize.
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Recommendations for the use of chemicals are included in this publication as a convenience to the reader. The use of brand names and any mention or listing of of commercial products or service does not imply endorsement by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service nor discrimination against similar products or services not mentioned. Individuals who use chemicals are responsible for ensuring that the inteded use complies with current information about usage and examine a current product label before applying any chemical. For assistance, contact an agent of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.