March Madness: Flexibility in Monthly Maintenance
The saying that “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb” captures the change from winter to spring. This year in Buncombe County, March began with warm, spring-like weather and abruptly reversed back to winter conditions. This unpredictability requires flexibility in scheduling our gardening activities.
What needs to be done in March? Are you eager to complete some garden clean-up!? Now many of us delay much of this until spring to help critters living in the leaf litter and plant stems to overwinter in peace. We may also have shrubs or trees that need pruning soon. We all are likely looking forward to starting our planting! When and how we proceed is likely very weather dependent.
How weather factors affect garden maintenance. Although we look forward to warming weather, especially to enjoy being outdoors, extreme temperature shifts may wreak havoc with our comfort, plants’ bloom times, and soil conditions . Soil that seemed perfect for planting or mulching may suddenly be too cold and either too dry or wet, making it important to wait to mulch and to set seeds or transplants. When temperatures plummet into the teens or twenties it may help to cover some blooming plants temporarily.
Opportunities for flexibility. As you look for the opportune time for planned maintenance, consider if you might want to switch things up. If frost has already blackened your recently opened saucer magnolia flowers (Magnolia x soulangeana), think about planting a later-blooming flowering tree. Instead of pruning back your butterfly bushes (Buddleja davidii), at the end of the month, maybe this is the year to replace them with some native shrubs whose leaves provide larval food as well as nectar for butterflies. See the suggestions in the NCSU Plant Toolbox. Make sure you don’t mulch too soon and review your mulching choices.
Enjoy your March garden!
Article by Debbie Green, Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteer
For more information:
- Review Articles and Videos on this website:
- NCSU publication – Gardening Clean-up for Pollinators: Trim Perennials in Their First Year