March 2005

Edible

Sow seeds of cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli indoors for transplants.

Prepare soil - for planting. Dig eight to twelve inches deep. Add and dig in a two to three inch layer of organic matter, six to eight inches deep. Do not turn the soil when it is wet. Take a handful of soil and squeeze it. If it crumbles easily, it is okay to dig.

Before you buy, check the clay content of topsoil. Ask if they have done a soil test and check the results. In the results, under the "Physical Analysis" section, organic matter should be at least three percent.

Turn your compost pile on warm spring days. This will help to get the decomposition process going.

Use cold frames and floating row covers to get your vegetables off to an early start.

In the Ornamental Garden

Do not remove winter mulch from perennials until you see signs of new growth. If you remove it, keep the mulch nearby in case of a cold snap.

Rake the lawn to remove debris, twigs and dead grass.

Before hiring a lawn-care service , ask these questions:

  • What kinds of fertilizer do you use? When will you apply the fertilizer? (Lawns should not be fertilized during hot, dry summer weather.) Do you use fast-release or slow-release fertilizer? (Fast-release fertilizers give a quick burst of greening while slow-release fertilizers release their nutrients over the growing season.)
  • Do you apply fungicides and insecticides as a part of your application program? (Fungicides and insecticides are only needed if a problem develops.)
  • What types of weed killers do you use and when and how often do you apply them? (Crab-grass killers should be applied in April. Broad-leaved weed killers should be applied when broad-leaved weeds are actively growing.)
  • Does your company offer any alternatives to chemical controls?

Fertilize Trees and Shrubs just before they begin to show signs of new growth.

Prune yews in late March. Cut back to green shoots.

Cut back overwintered geraniums and coleus to a few buds to stimulate new growth and a fuller plant.

Control the iris borer by cleaning up dead foliage before new growth begins.

Fertilize houseplants. Do not apply fertilizer to dry soil. This will damage the roots.