Things To Do in March

Design-

If you want to change the appearance of your landscape by transplanting some existing plants, you can safely move deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs now, while they are still dormant.  If the ground has thawed, be careful not to break up and disturb the soil around the main roots of the tree or shrub.  If you decide to transplant, remember to give 12" of root ball per inch of trunk caliper (trunk width).  Consider this requirement before you start to dig, because a 24" root ball can weigh over 250 pounds.

Chores-

Time is running out for you to get pruning done on dormant trees and shrubs.  At this point spring flowering plants should not be pruned.

Any hedge plants that were damaged over the winter should be pruned.  Removing dead branches from the plant helps to prevent disease, and allows it to fill in again quickly.

March is a good time to get some early-season fertilizing done.  Here is a list of plants that benefit from fertilization in March, and what type of fertilizers to use.

                -  Emerging bulbs                                                 Balanced, organic fertilizer

-  Clematis, peonies, and irises                           Bonemeal or organic fertilizer 5-10-5

-  Shrubs and groundcovers                              Dehydrated manure or organic fertilizer 5-10-5

-  Roses                                                                  Organic fertilizer for roses or manure

-  Needle evergreen and deciduous trees         Bloodmeal, cottonseed, or organic fertilizer

-  Acid-loving broadleaf evergreens                 Oak-leaf compost or cottonseed meal

Butterfly bushes (Buddleia), blue mist (Caryopteris), and ornamental grasses should be cut back to approximately one foot in height.  This enables the plant to remain compact and healthy, and improves its appearance in the spring.

If you have a compost pile, turn it over now, so that it will be ready to spread when the weather warms up.