March - The beginning of the month's weather can be very volatile and often harsh, but the end of the month is usually more mild. With the mild changes, signs of Spring begin to appear. Cherry and Bradford Pear trees and shrubs like Forsythia break out in blooms of pink, white and yellow, respectively. Average high temperatures are now in the low 60's with days of warm sunshine. Average low's, however, are still in the upper 30's to low 40's. This is a great time to get your yard in shape! Below is a simple checklist of things "To Do" in March.
For Your Lawn
- Maintenance: Begin mowing fescue at a 2 ½ to 3 inch height leaving the clippings.
- Weed Control: Treat lawns for winter annual weeds such as chickweed and henbit with a liquid
broadleaf spray. Do not apply these if you are planning on
applying seed this spring.
- Fertilize: Apply last application of fertilizer before March 15th to cool season fescue. Applications should
be based on 1 lb. of nitrogen per thousand sq. ft.
For Your Trees and Shrubs
- Fertilize Now: For flowering trees and shrubs use a product with a high level of Phosphorous to ensure plenty of blooms. Holly-tone or Plant-tone are great general fertilizers for all your trees and shrubs.
- Prune: Prune your roses back this month to force healthy new growth. Do not prune maple, elm or walnut until after they have leafed out.Wait to prune spring flowering shrubs such as forsythia until after it has finished blooming.
- Plant: Plant as long as the ground is not frozen. The roots will continue to grow some in the soil, giving them a jumpstart over plants that will be planted in the spring.
- Water: Keep in mind that plants, especially newly planted ones, need water even during the winter months.
- Clean Up: Hand-pull winter weeds such as henbit and common chickweed from landscape beds.
For Your Garden
- Divide those perennials that have
spread and are encroaching on other plants.
- Fertilize spring flowering bulbs as the foliage emerges with an all purpose fertilizer.
- If you start your plants from seed, avoid fertilizing seedlings until they have at least a couple of pairs of real leaves. If you fertilize too early or with a fertilizer solution that's too strong, you could shock or kill the young plants.
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