Top March Garden Tips: Getting Your Landscape Ready for Spring

March marks the official start of spring, bringing longer days, warmer temperatures, and the perfect opportunity to get your garden in shape for the growing season. With plants waking up from dormancy and new growth emerging, now is the time to tackle essential gardening tasks. Follow these top March garden tips to prepare your landscape for a thriving and productive year.

1. Clean Up Your Garden and Prepare for Growth

As winter fades away, take time to clear out debris and refresh your garden beds.

• Remove Dead Plants and Leaves: Clear out any leftover leaves, dead plants, or winter damage to make room for new growth.
• Weed Early: Weeds start growing as temperatures rise, so pulling them now will prevent them from taking over.
• Refresh Mulch: Adding a new layer of mulch helps retain moisture and suppress weeds as spring rains arrive.

A well-prepped garden bed will create the perfect foundation for healthy plants throughout the season.

2. Top March Garden Tips: Prune and Trim for Healthy Growth

March is an excellent time to prune trees, shrubs, and perennials before they fully leaf out.

• Trim Summer-Flowering Shrubs: Prune butterfly bush, hydrangeas, and roses to promote strong, healthy blooms later in the season.
• Cut Back Perennials: Remove dead growth from ornamental grasses, daylilies, and other perennials to encourage fresh spring shoots.
• Shape Fruit Trees: Finish pruning apple, pear, and other fruit trees before they start budding.

Avoid pruning spring-blooming shrubs like azaleas and forsythia until after they flower.

3. Start Planting Cool-Season Vegetables and Flowers

March is the perfect time to start planting hardy crops and flowers that thrive in cooler temperatures.

• Plant Vegetables: Lettuce, spinach, peas, radishes, and carrots can be sown directly into the garden.
• Add Spring Flowers: Pansies, violas, snapdragons, and primroses add early color and withstand chilly nights.
• Transplant Seedlings: If you started seeds indoors, begin hardening them off for outdoor planting.

By following these top March garden tips, you’ll enjoy an early harvest and beautiful blooms well into spring.

4. Top March Garden Tips: Fertilize and Feed Your Lawn and Garden

As plants wake up, they need nutrients to fuel their growth.

• Fertilize Your Lawn: Apply a slow-release fertilizer to strengthen grass roots before the growing season.
• Feed Perennials and Shrubs: Use compost or organic fertilizers to give plants a nutrient boost.
• Amend Soil: Test your soil and add necessary amendments like lime or compost to improve fertility.

A well-fed garden will produce healthier plants, flowers, and vegetables throughout the year.

5. Plan for the Growing Season Ahead

March is a great time to finalize your gardening plans and prepare for a productive year.

• Order Seeds and Plants: Make sure you have everything needed for summer planting.
• Divide Perennials: If your perennials are getting overcrowded, divide and replant them to promote better growth.
• Check Irrigation Systems: Test sprinklers, soaker hoses, and rain barrels to ensure they’re ready for the season.

By following these top March garden tips, you’ll set your landscape up for success and enjoy a beautiful, productive garden all season long. A little preparation now will lead to big rewards in the months to come!