March Gardening Calendar

Garden Checklist for the Month of March

Welcome to your March gardening guide for the Bay Area! As spring awakens, here’s your checklist of tasks to prepare your garden for a productive season of edibles and ornamentals.

1. Pest Management

• Aphid Control: Stock up on organic neem oil and/or live ladybugs to keep aphids at bay.
• Codling Moth Management: Use organic deterrents—like Bonide’s Captain Jack’s Deadbug Brew—to reduce codling moth populations.

2. Soil Preparation & Fertility

• Veggie Bed Preparation: Amend your soil with organic compost, earthworm castings, and nutrient boosters such as E.B. Stone Sure Start or Tomato & Vegetable Food. Not sure what your soil needs? Try one of our soil test kits.

3. Planting & Seed Starting

• Direct Sow Cool-Season Crops: Plant radishes, spinach, lettuce, and hardy herbs like cilantro and parsley directly into your garden.
• Warm-Season Seedlings: Start tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant indoors for transplanting later—get ready, tomatoes arriving soon!
• Edible Flowers: Plant sweet peas to add both beauty and flavor to your garden.

4. Pruning & Tree Care

• Fruit & Citrus Trees: Fertilize and prune to remove winter damage, encouraging healthy new growth.
• Shrubs & Ornamentals: Trim back any damaged branches to promote a neat, vigorous display this spring.

5. Lawn & Weed Care

• Spring Lawn Fertilizing: Apply a spring fertilizer to rejuvenate your lawn after winter dormancy.
• Weed Management: Apply eco-friendly weed preventers like Concern Corn Gluten Weed Preventer, Miracle Gro Weed Preventer, or Bonide Maize Weed Preventer to keep unwanted plants in check.

6. Seasonal Reminders

• Daylight Savings: Remember to spring forward as Daylight Savings Time begins.
• Festive Spirit: Enjoy the season and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a burst of green in your garden!
• Local Support: Contact your local SummerWinds Nursery for personalized gardening advice.