fertilizer – Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Durham County

By Gary Crispell, NC State Extension Master Gardener^SM volunteer of Durham County

BOLO (be on the lookout) for early spring bloomers including star magnolia (Magnolia stellata), daffodils (Narsisus spp.) perhaps covered in late snow or bathed in warm sunshine, and the Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis). (Image credit: Melinda Heigel)

March: noun, the third month of the Julian calendar, verb from middle French meaning to trample. It appears that boots (not jack) might be in order.

By the time Y’all read this winter may be gone—or not. The weather pattern may have changed to a drier more user-friendly one—or not. We might be able to get out and work in our gardens—or not. It might snow another 3 or 6″ to complement the already prodigious amount we’ve received. Welcome to piedmont North Carolina in the spring where we beg for more/less rain, sunshine, wind, whatever we don’t currently have and decry perceived excesses of anything. Gardeners can be a needy lot, but there is always hope. We are nothing if not hopeful and optimistic. We KNOW it (whatever “it” is) will get better and things will be just fine.

So, here are the things that can/should be done in the garden in March depending on all the things in the earlier paragraph. Happy gardening!

Lawn Care

(Image credit: NC State Extension)

Cool season grasses (tall fescue, bluegrass, perennial rye) can be fertilized with a slow release high nitrogen (the first number) fertilizer.

Apply preemergent weed control after the forsythia (Forsythia intermedia) blooms and before the native dogwoods (Cornus florida) bloom. (That there is real science.)

Commence mowing activities when needed (or when the mower no longer mires in the mud). Cool season grasses should be kept mown at 3” to 4.” Warm season grasses (zoysia, Bermuda, centipede) are still dormant. You get to play with them next month.

Remember, grass clippings should either be left on the lawn, composted, or used for mulch. They don’t belong in the landfill.

Fertilizing

Feed your shrubbery this month. Established plants do not need heavy fertilizing. Let “moderation in all things” be your mantra. Shade trees can be fertilized now, but only if your SOIL TEST (free again beginning April 1 through November) indicates a need.

Emerging bulbs can be fertilized this month. Fertilize asparagus beds early in March, before the new spears emerge.

Planting

As usual, everything in this section is dependent upon soil conditions.

Trees and shrubs may be planted now as well as fruit trees and grape vines up to bud break. Plants planted now will require more intentional water management through our oft droughty summer.

March is a good time to plant perennials.

Start annuals and warm season vegetables inside now if you haven’t already done so. These can be transplanted outside after the threat of frost has gone. (No bets on that date anymore.)

Rose bushes can be planted now.

The same veggies that can be planted in the fall can also be planted now (unless, of course, you are sick to death of broccoli and beets). These include the aforementioned broccoli, beets, carrots, cabbages, cauliflower, potatoes and turnips. Then there are the salad greens, lettuces, spinach, chard, etc. So, in May it’ll be salad and roasted root vegetables for supper?

Pruning

Prune any fruit trees that didn’t get done in February.

Deadhead any early spring annuals such as pansies (Viola x hybrids) as the blooms fade in order to prolong bloom time.

Roses can be pruned in the latter half of the month.

Overgrown broadleaf shrubs can still be severely whacked. (No, it won’t kill them, and they be much more manageable—for a while.)¹

Spraying

The following miscreant pests will be out and about this time of the year: euonymus scale, spider mites on evergreens, hybrid rhododendron borers, and lace bugs on azaleas. Spray only as necessary with an appropriate product and always read and follow label directions.

Apply a dormant oil to fruit trees to control several insects. This is especially important if you have just pruned the trees.

When in bloom, spray apple and pear trees with streptomycin to prevent fire blight.

Other Swell Stuff You Can Do in March

Get ready for prime time. Check all your gardening equipment and make sure it will be ready to go when you need it. Nothing is more frustrating than being all psyched up to mow the grass (I have heard there really are people for whom this is a reality) only to discover that the starter battery is dead, the blades need to be sharpened, all the tires are flat, the belt that broke last fall didn’t fix itself over the winter, all the things. Check all the garden gizmos now and prevent a possible psychotic break later.

Try experimenting with a new annual, perennial or veggie this season. Experimenting can be fun, and you might just discover a new BFF plant. Also, experimenting has been shown to have very few side effects.

North Carolina Arbor Day (not to be confused with National Arbor Day) is this month. It is always the first Friday after the 15^th, ergo on the 21st this year. Plant a tree or seven.

Get a few of your summer clothes out of the attic but keep your heavy winter jacket close by. You could need both in the same day.

Mellow March, Y’all.

Notes

1–Keep in mind, many woody ornamentals are pruned according to their flowering date. Spring bloomers like dogwood or forsythia are usually pruned after they bloom. Summer-flowering plants are generally best pruned when dormant before new growth begins in the spring.

Resources and Additional Information

Learn more about organic lawn care: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/organic-lawn-care-a-guide-to-organic-lawn-maintenance-and-pest-management

How to read a fertilizing label like a pro: https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/reading-a-fertilizer-label

Spring vegetable gardening: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/home-vegetable-gardening-a-quick-reference-guide

Read our blog article on year round vegetable gardening for early springtime tips: https://wp.me/p2nIr1-2F1

Pruning techniques for trees and shrubs: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/general-pruning-techniques

Guide to cleaning and sharpening garden tools: https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/download/how-to-clean-and-sharpen-garden-tools_MF3288

Article Short Link: https://wp.me/p2nIr1-5Eg

By Gary Crispell, NC State Master Gardener^SM volunteer of Durham County

And it’s August. And it rained the entire month of July (11.83” in my rain gauge), so the grass has grown out before I can clean the mower and put it away. The weeds…well. They’re being weeds. The Accidental Cottage Garden (ACG) is a mostly perennial garden full of domesticated weeds. It took a hit in June from the lack of rain. There are real weeds out there to be pulled, but there are also Olympic Games to be enjoyed. Weeds will still be there after the Olympics. Fortunately, I can type between events or else this calendar might have to wait until after the Olympics, too.

No? I must do it now? Sigh… Okay. If you insist. In a minute.

Gold Metal winners in the ACG. Despite drought followed by record rainfall, it’s a two-way tie for first place between the black-eyed Susans and coreopsis. (Image credit: Gary Crispell)

As mentioned above, the ACG (what’s left of it) is rather pleased with the month of rain. There are ten genera in bloom right now. The coreopsis (C. lanceolata) doesn’t know quit nor do the black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta). Both have persisted through drought and deluge to keep the yellow going. Gold medals for them. Silver for the longest bloom time goes to the Dakota mock vervain (Glandularia bipinnatatifida) whose dainty purple flowers can get lost amongst the taller species, and the foliage is dainty and of great interest, too. Bronze is awarded to the purple cone flower (Echinacea purpurea). I know, with a tie for gold there shouldn’t be a bronze. You award medals your way, and I’ll do it mine.

Longest bloom-time catapults Dakota mock vervain into the Silver Medal position, while the perennial and hardy favorite purple cone flower comes in strong earning the Bronze. (Image credit: Gary Crispell)

Moving on to the honorable mentions; The gallardia (G. pulchella), balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorus) (Doing a re-bloom after timely removal of old blooms), daylily (Hemerocallis x August Flame), evening primrose (Oenothera lamarckiana), and the two reseeding annuals, French marigold (Tagetes patula) and zinnia (Zinna elegans) all deserve this honor.

Hard to believe that these beauties are representing the Honorable Mention category: the daylily ‘August Flame’ is true to its name while the balloon flower seems nearly ever-blooming. (Image credit: Gary Crispell)

Calendar? What calendar? We already discussed this. There are Olympic Games to watch. Team USA to cheer on, and you want a calendar. Sheesh. Well, I did say I’d do it, so if you really want to go out in the heat here are many things to keep you sweat-covered and happy.