We officially enter Spring this month, even if the weather says otherwise.
After a long, dark, rainy winter, March gives us our first real glimpses of the sunny days ahead. Fruit trees like plums, apricots, almonds, and peaches are blooming. Hyacinths, paperwhites, and daffodils are emerging bringing with them some unmistakable spring color. The sun is starting to feel warmer than it felt even just a few short weeks ago. There's a restlessness in March, an eagerness to finally put all that winter planning into action. It's a time when the path ahead is still full of possibilities, and you don't yet have to compromise on your big vision for the garden.
It's almost time...almost
For many gardeners, this is the month when we start to feel like we either jumped the gun or are already behind. All of those weeks we had in the winter are quickly counting down and we're taking stock of what there's still left to do. Did I start my seeds early enough? Should I try to build a new bed now or wait? Is it too late to scatter wildflower seeds? Is it too early to start summer seeds in the ground? Should I try to plant another round of spring veggies or just wait for summer veggies?
As eager as I am to set my sights on a new season, I'll accept a bit of a grace period before the full demands of the spring garden are upon us.
Fortunately (or not) it seems we still have a bit of time to answer those questions. Given how cold and wet our winter has been, it already feels like Spring is a bit behind schedule to arrive. Usually, by now, we would have had at least a couple of weeks of sunny, dry weather, and I would have been able to cross a few of these chores off my list. But the dry weather is yet to appear, and as a result, much of my garden looks exactly like it did in November. There's a part of me that definitely feels more "behind schedule" than ahead of the curve because of it, but, as is often the case, nature shows me what I still need to learn, not necessarily what I want to learn. There is still room to be still, and take in the quietness of winter- to pause and take the pressure off. Maybe this is true for you too. The last few months have been much busier and more stressful than I can remember in recent memory. And as eager as I am to set my sights on a new season, I'll accept a bit of a grace period before the full demands of the spring garden are upon us.
Spread some kindness in the garden (and in yourself)
March is the perfect month to set your intentions for the season to come, and what better way to do so than with an art project?
At the school garden, we brought our fall gratitude tree into spring by trading out our fall leaves for colorful "kindness flowers." Students cut paper flowers and covered them in artwork and messages of support, affirmations, and encouragement to adorn every branch of our beloved tree. No matter what kind of day you're having, a visit to this kindness tree will be sure to leave you feeling better than when you arrived. Making the tree is incredibly simple, and there are two versions in the "10-minute seeds" projects, one for a large group and one for an indoor tabletop display so you can create whichever version works best for you.
Take the time
Or, it can be even simpler. Take 15 minutes, brew a cuppa, and write out or meditate on your intentions for your spring. What do you hope to feel? What experiences are you looking forward to the most? What do you hope to learn or try for the first time this season? What new rituals could you introduce this season? The delay of the arrival of spring has given us this precious extra time. We all know that once the warm, sunny days are here, everything will start moving quickly, so let's take our cue from nature and center ourselves before we set off at full speed.
Garden tasks this month (Zone 9):
Start summer seedlings indoors, including peppers, tomatoes, basil, zinnias, marigolds
In the second half of March, start melons, zucchinis, and okra indoors
Plant pea seeds outside
Trim off old growth and dead leaves from strawberries and winter greens
Add compost around the base of any perennials in your garden
Clear out dead Bermuda grass
Scatter new grass seed
Plant fruit trees, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and grapes
Install new beds or other built structures in your garden
Add edging and fencing while it's easy to dig the ground
Weed and mulch pathways
Plant potato slips and carrot seeds
Weed and clear out old growth from flower beds
If desired, plant a round of fast growing spring crops- Leaf lettuce, radishes, cilantro, dill, chamomile, kale, spinach, chard
Take inventory of tools and tool storage and repair or replace what's needed
You may need to do some serious pest management for rodents, slugs and snails that have moved in over winter
Garden tasks this month (Zones 6-8):
Start seeds indoors for spring plants: kale, lettuces, cabbage, spinach, beets, cauliflower, broccoli
Start seeds indoors for summer plants that take longer to grow: peppers, tomatoes (these will germinate faster with a heat mat)
Draw up your planting plan including paths and structures you plan to build
Order seeds, look for cool season varieties will allow you to plant sooner (they will have names of cold places, or will be labeled for cold climates)
Look for deals on outdoor tools and tool storage, even if there is snow on the ground, many places are starting outdoor spring sales now
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