Warren County Master Gardeners
Vicksburg, Mississippi
March signals the beginning of spring and a time to get a lot of work done in our gardens. If shrubs and trees are not already pruned, it is time to finish the job. Remember DO NOT prune your spring flowering plants until after they bloom. Begin disease and insect control sprays on fruit trees. Be sure to follow pesticide manufacturers’ instructions completely. Remember: the label is the law! March is also the time to fertilize your roses. Watch for insects on your plants and begin the process of controlling them. Summer gardens may be planted after the soil is warm and the danger of freezing is past. March 12-21 is the median time of the last freeze in our area. Covering the soil with black plastic or using row covers gives you a jump start on warming the soil. If you plan to plant sweet corn, March 11 is the earliest recommended planting date in our area. March 25 is our earliest date for planting snap beans and peanuts. Look carefully at your ground cover. You can still clean up winter damage if you are careful not to harm the new growth. This is a good month to take a critical look at your lawn. If you have large patches of weeds, plan to renovate your lawn next month. If a thick thatch layer is present, approximately ½ inch or greater in thickness, rake out the thatch. If the area involved is large, rent a dethatcher from an equipment rental store. If crab grass is a problem, a preemergent herbicide can be applied mid March. Remember to follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding the strength and application rate.
Hand pull weeds such as henbit and chickweed to prevent them from going to seed. Check your mulch level. You need about 2 inch layer to suppress and manage weeds.
Tip of the Month
March is a good time for dividing chrysanthemums, daylilies, yarrow, rudbeckia, monarda, hosta, herbs, canna, four o’clocks, coreopsis and elephant ears.
Do not dig, move, or mow the foliage of daffodils until at least six weeks after they have finished blooming.
Raised Beds
Jeanie Byrnes, MG
Pine Straw for Mulch
Gale Waites, MG
