The sun’s beginning to warm the earth & the first hints of spring are emerging. So, naturally, gardeners everywhere are itching to get their hands back into the soil. Let’s explore our essential gardening tips for March – from sprouting potatoes to slugs in the garden & foraging for edible weeds.
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As the winter chill slowly fades away, you can feel spring right around the corner. March marks the beginning of a flurry of activity in the garden, with preparations underway for the growing season ahead. From composting to planting potatoes and everything in between, let’s explore our essential gardening tips to kickstart March in the garden.
Start a Compost Pile
With temperatures on the rise, now is the perfect time to kickstart your compost pile. Gather organic materials such as pulled weeds and wood chips from pruning to create nutrient-rich compost for your garden beds.
What is the best way to start a compost pile?
The best way to start a compost pile is by selecting a suitable location that receives a mix of sunlight and shade. Begin by layering organic materials such as kitchen scraps, yard waste, and dry leaves, aiming for a balance of green and brown materials. Ensure adequate aeration by turning the pile regularly and adding water to maintain moisture levels akin to a damp sponge. With patience and diligence, nature will work its magic, transforming your compost pile into nutrient-rich soil amendment for your garden.
How long does it take for a compost pile to be ready to use?
The time it takes for a compost pile to be ready for use varies depending on factors like size, composition, and environmental conditions. Typically, a well-maintained compost pile can be ready to use in about six months to a year. However, with proper management and optimal conditions, some compost piles may be ready in as little as three months.
Regular turning, adequate moisture, and a balanced mix of materials contribute to the speed and efficiency of the composting process. Once the compost has decomposed into a dark, crumbly texture with an earthy aroma, it is ready to be incorporated into soil to nourish plants and promote healthy growth.
Chit Potatoes
Give your seed potatoes a head start by chitting them on a sunny windowsill. This encourages early growth, ensuring a jumpstart on your potato harvest come spring.
What is the best way to chit potatoes?
For sprouting potatoes effectively, begin by selecting healthy, disease-free seed potatoes with multiple eyes. Place them in an egg carton or shallow tray, eyes facing up, in a cool, bright location with temperatures around 50-60°F. Allow the potatoes to sprout for 4-6 weeks until sturdy, short sprouts emerge. Once sprouted, they’re ready for planting in the garden, giving them a head start on growth.
Do all potatoes need chitting?
Not all potatoes require chitting, but it can significantly benefit certain varieties, particularly those with a longer growing season or in colder climates. While chitting is not necessary for all potatoes, it can help jumpstart growth, especially for early-season varieties, ensuring a quicker harvest.
However, some gardeners opt to plant directly without sprouting potatoes, and they can still yield a successful crop, particularly in warmer regions or with shorter-season varieties. Ultimately, whether to chit potatoes depends on personal preference, growing conditions, and the specific needs of the potato variety being planted.
Add Nutrients Back Into the Soil
Remember to replenish the nutrients in your soil by incorporating compost and fertilizers. Prioritize adding compost before tilling and continue to fertilize as you sow seeds and plant new additions to your garden.
Sending in a soil test is the best way to know exactly what nutrients are lacking in your soil. Search for a place locally that does soil testing in your area. We like to use Simply Soil Testing out of Burlington, WA.
How can I make my soil more nutritious?
To enrich your soil, incorporate organic matter like compost, aged manure, or organic fertilizers. These materials provide essential nutrients, improve soil structure, and enhance microbial activity.
Also, consider rotating crops, practicing cover cropping, and mulching to further boost soil health and fertility. Regular soil testing can also help you adjust nutrient levels to meet the specific needs of your plants, ensuring a thriving garden ecosystem.
Learn more about using eggshells in your garden to restore calcium.
Trim Raspberries
March is the ideal time to prune raspberry canes. Trim back the canes by one-third to promote branching and higher yields. This simple task contributes to the overall health and productivity of your raspberry plants.
When should raspberries be cut back?
Raspberries should be pruned in late winter to early spring, typically around February or March, depending on your location and climate. This timing is crucial as it allows for the removal of dead or diseased canes and promotes new growth. Aim to prune raspberries as soon as new leaf growth emerges, cutting back the canes by about one-third. This practice encourages branching, higher yields, and overall plant health, setting the stage for a productive growing season ahead.
What happens if you don’t prune raspberries?
If raspberries are not pruned regularly, the canes can become overcrowded, leading to decreased airflow and increased susceptibility to pests and diseases. Without pruning, older canes may become weak and unproductive, reducing overall fruit production. Also, the lack of pruning can result in tangled, unruly growth, making harvesting more challenging and increasing the risk of damage to the plants. Pruning raspberries is essential for maintaining plant vigor, maximizing yields, and prolonging the lifespan of the raspberry patch.
Plant Potatoes
Follow the tradition of planting potatoes and peas by St. Patrick’s Day. Once your potatoes have been chitted and show signs of growth, it’s time to plant them in the ground for a hearty harvest later in the season.
What is the correct way to plant potatoes?
To plant potatoes correctly, start by selecting healthy seed potatoes with multiple eyes. Prepare the planting area by loosening the soil and incorporating organic matter for improved drainage and fertility. Plant the seed potatoes about 3-4 inches deep and 12-18 inches apart in rows, with eyes facing upwards. As the plants grow, gradually mound soil around the stems to encourage tuber development and protect emerging potatoes from sunlight, which can cause greening. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and soon you’ll be rewarded with a bountiful potato harvest.
What month do you plant potatoes?
Potatoes are typically planted in early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked and temperatures begin to rise. In many regions, this means planting potatoes in March or April. However, the exact timing may vary depending on your location and local climate conditions. The general rule of thumb is to plant potatoes about 2-4 weeks before the last expected frost date in your area. This allows the potatoes to establish and grow before the warmer weather sets in, leading to a successful harvest later in the season.
Continue Dividing Perennials
Take advantage of March to finish dividing perennial plants that bloom from late spring through fall. This includes rhubarb, dahlias, and many more. In case you missed it in our February Gardening Guide, let’s walk through the basic steps for dividing perennials:
- Timing: Choose the right time for division. Late winter to early spring, when the plants are still dormant, is often the ideal period. For specific perennials, like hostas, early spring as new shoots emerge is also suitable.
- Preparation: Water the plants a day or two before dividing to ensure they are well-hydrated. Prepare the new planting holes in advance, amending the soil with compost if necessary.
- Tools: Gather the necessary tools, including a sharp spade or garden fork, a pair of garden gloves, and, if needed, a knife or pruning shears.
- Lifting the Plant: Carefully dig around the base of the plant, creating a wide circle to avoid damaging the roots. Lift the entire plant, exposing the root system.
- Division: Once the plant is lifted, assess its structure. Identify natural divisions or gently tease the roots apart. In the case of rhubarb, you can use a sharp knife to cut through the root mass, ensuring each section has both roots and shoots (or buds).
- Replanting: Place the divided sections into the prepared holes at the same depth they were growing before. Water thoroughly to eliminate air pockets and promote root establishment.
- Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around the newly planted divisions to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and provide some insulation.
- Post-Division Care: Keep the newly divided plants well-watered in the weeks following the division. Consider applying a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer to encourage healthy growth.
- Observation: Monitor the divided plants closely during the growing season. While most perennials respond well to division, some may take a bit of time to establish. Be patient and provide the necessary care.
Continue Succession Planting
Keep the momentum going with succession planting for spring. Sow seeds for cold-hardy crops and direct sow cool-weather vegetables like spinach, kale, and lettuce for a continuous harvest.
What vegetables are best for succession planting?
Several vegetables are well-suited for succession planting, including lettuce, spinach, radishes, carrots, beets, and green beans. These crops have relatively short growing seasons and can be harvested multiple times throughout the growing season.
By staggering plantings every few weeks, gardeners can ensure a continuous supply of fresh produce and extend the harvest window. Succession planting also helps maximize garden space and prevents a glut of vegetables all at once, promoting a steady and manageable yield throughout the season.
Get Weeding
Tackle weeds early to prevent them from overtaking your garden beds. Pull invasive weeds while they’re small and manageable to maintain the beauty and health of your garden.
Our Favorite Weeding Tools
But before you pull every weed, check out our next section on foraging & edible weeds.
Start Foraging
Embrace the abundance of nature by incorporating foraged edibles into your culinary repertoire. Explore the world of edible weeds and wild plants like dandelions, nettles, & cottonwood buds for a taste of the wild.
Related Posts:
- Dandelion Benefits & Uses
- Foraging & Uses for Purple Dead Nettle
- Dandelion Honey Scones
- Dandelion Jelly
How do I start learning foraging?
Starting to learn foraging begins with familiarizing yourself with local plant species and their edible counterparts. Begin by researching reputable sources such as books, online resources, or foraging guides specific to your region. It’s crucial to prioritize safety and accuracy, so learn to positively identify plants and understand any potential lookalikes or poisonous species. Consider joining local foraging groups or attending workshops led by experienced foragers to gain hands-on knowledge and guidance.
Start with easy-to-identify plants like dandelions, nettles, or wild berries and gradually expand your repertoire as you become more confident in your foraging skills. Remember to forage responsibly by respecting nature, obtaining necessary permits if foraging on public land, and harvesting sustainably to ensure the health and longevity of wild plant populations.
What is the golden rule of foraging?
The golden rule of foraging is to positively identify plants beyond any doubt before consuming them. It’s essential to be absolutely certain of a plant’s identity, as many edible plants have toxic lookalikes that can cause illness or even be deadly if ingested. Therefore, never rely solely on visual appearance for identification; utilize multiple senses, including smell and touch, and cross-reference with reputable foraging guides or experts.
When in doubt, err on the side of caution and refrain from consuming any plant until you can confirm its safety. By following this golden rule, foragers can enjoy the bounty of nature responsibly and safely, ensuring a rewarding and enriching foraging experience.
Practice Slug Control
As temperatures rise, so do pesky garden pests like slugs and snails. Stay vigilant by implementing slug control measures like beer traps or early morning patrols to protect your tender seedlings.
Learn more about common garden pests of the PNW here.
What makes slugs go away?
There are several methods to deter slugs from your garden. One effective way is to create physical barriers such as copper tape or diatomaceous earth around vulnerable plants, as slugs avoid crossing these substances due to their abrasive or electric properties.
Also, maintaining a clean and dry garden environment reduces slug habitat, as they thrive in damp conditions. Natural predators like birds, frogs, and predatory insects can also help keep slug populations in check.
Finally, consider using organic slug repellents like coffee grounds, eggshells, or beer traps, which can deter slugs without harming other beneficial garden organisms.
Fertilize Berries
Give your berry plants a nutrient boost by fertilizing them in March. Tailor the fertilizer to the specific needs of each type of berry, ensuring optimal growth and fruit production.
What is the best fertilizer for berries?
The best fertilizer for berries depends on the specific needs of the plant and soil conditions. Generally, a balanced fertilizer with a higher nitrogen content is suitable for promoting healthy foliage growth in berries. For example, a 10-10-10 fertilizer can provide essential nutrients without overstimulating fruit production.
However, it’s essential to consider the acidity requirements of certain berries, like blueberries, which prefer acidic soil. In this case, using a fertilizer specifically formulated for acid-loving plants with a lower pH is ideal. Organic options like compost or well-aged manure can also enrich the soil and provide slow-release nutrients for berry plants. Regular soil testing can help determine any specific nutrient deficiencies and tailor fertilization accordingly for optimal berry production.
How often should I fertilize my berries?
The frequency of fertilizing berry plants depends on various factors, including soil fertility, plant growth stage, and fertilizer type. But as a general guideline, it’s recommended to fertilize berry plants once or twice a year, typically in early spring before new growth begins and again after fruiting has finished. Slow-release fertilizers can provide nutrients over an extended period, reducing the need for frequent applications.
Also, monitoring the appearance and health of the plants can help determine if additional fertilization is necessary. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of fruit production and may result in nutrient imbalances.
Armed with our March Gardening Guide, you’re ready to journey through this month of transition & nurture your garden to its fullest potential. Embrace the rhythm of the seasons and watch your garden garden come to life!
Happy Growing!
So what do you think? Are you ready for March in your garden? Send us an email or leave a comment below! You can also let us know on our Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, or Pinterest pages.
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For more winter gardening ideas check out these articles…
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