March is a very exciting time for me in the garden because it is a month of transition.
Winter is winding down but as it is slowly sulking away for another year it is always possible it will leave us a reminder or two that it is not gone yet Spring arrives this month but it does not always come rushing in all at once it plays hide and seek a nice day here then another a few days latter.
The good thing is that daylight is increasing each day, which gives us a few extra minutes of sunshine to help warm the earth and kick old man winter further down the road.
As the garden slowly awakens from it's long winters nap there are some chores you can attend to right away.
On nicer days get out and rake the lawns and clear winter debris off the grass.
Pull out any leaves that have accumulated over the winter along fences and in planting beds but be mindful of early spring bulbs that may be emerging from the warming garden soil.
Take a good look at trees and shrubs trim off and broken branches or limbs but do not do a heavy pruning especially on maples or spring flowering trees and shrubs.
As you walk around if you see any perennials that have heaved up gently push them back down into the soil.
As well as outside work to do there is plenty to do inside as well.
Many of your seeds need to be started for planting out once the weather warms a bit especially cool season vegetables.
Broccoli should be started indoors the 2nd week of March and then moved to the garden between April 15th and about the 10th of May.
Cabbage and cauliflower can be started about the fourth week of March and moved into the garden between May 1st and May 25th.
For those that have an itch to get into the garden early potatoes can be planted at the end of March but be aware that a hard frost can kill them back to the ground but they will recover.
For those who have cold frames lettuce, radishes and other salad crops can be seeded directly into the soil.
The important thing to be mindful of is that even on very cool days if it is sunny the temperature can rise quickly in a closed cold frame and scorch all your plants so monitor the temperature closely so you can raise the lid a bit as needed.
The hardest part of March for me is to be patient I get that itch and want to start on projects.
Use some of that energy to start planning your projects and getting the materials and supplies together.
Trust me when I say in April the pace will pickup and you will be a lot busier outside and that itch will certainly haveplenty of time to be scratched.