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Plant native trees to conserve water, attract wildlife and beautify your landscape. Possumhaw holly is a native shrub/tree that grows up to 15 feet high. When female possumhaws lose their leaves, bright red or orange berries ornament the barren limbs. The berries are eaten by birds and other wildlife including opossum, hence the common name, possumhaw. (The berries are poisonous to humans.)
PLANTING AND SOWING
Annuals started from seed in January can be planted in late March. Wait until after March 14th to plant tomatoes and peppers. They should be hardened off (gradually exposed to outside temperatures) before putting in the ground. Cover if frost or freeze is predicted.
Direct sow seeds of warm-season vegetables such as beans, corn, squash and melons mid to late March. Wait until April to plant okra.
Plant perennials in well-amended soil.
FERTILIZING AND PRUNING
Prune, if needed, spring-flowering shrubs and vines: quince, azaleas, forsythia, bridal wreath (Spiraea), Lady Banks rose, Carolina jasmine and coral honeysuckle immediately after they finish blooming.
Remove dead top growth (Bermuda grass only) by lowering mower blade one or two notches.
Apply a high-nitrogen fertilizer to pecans and again in April and May.
Begin fertilizing roses with a specialty rose food. All trees, shrubs, vines and groundcovers can be fed with an all-nitrogen fertilizer.
THIS AND THAT
Install a drip irrigation system in your vegetable garden and mulched areas of the landscape.
Spread compost around perennials and add mulch.
GARDEN WATCH
Control, as needed, diseases and insects on roses such as black spot, powdery mildew and thrips, with an appropriate fungicide and systemic insecticide. Use a stream of water or an insecticidal soap on aphids. Consider planting EarthKind© roses.
If needed, apply a pre-emergent on lawns to prevent germination of broadleaf and grassy weeds. A weed and feed fertilizer is not recommended because it is too early in the year to fertilize.
EARTHKIND™ TIPS FOR MARCH:
The United Nations Brundtland Report defines sustainability as the “…design, construction, operations and maintenance practices that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
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This is a beautiful, high-centered, cerise-pink flowering rose with an overwhelming Bourbon fragrance, making this climbing rose a knockout in spring and fall. The canes are thornless and the dark green foliage is thick and very healthy, displaying coppery purple new growth, making a vivid contrast with the pink blossoms. The 55-gallon wood rain barrel collects rainwater off the roof, stores for landscape watering and conserves this precious resource!
PLANTING AND SOWING
Plant St. Augustine and hybrid Bermuda sod. Make good ground contact and keep moist until new roots are established. Common Bermuda can be started from seed, but is best to hydro-mulch. In either case, keep the area moist for several weeks. This may require watering several times a day if no rainfall.
Plant warm-season annuals from seedlings. For sun: zinnias (profusion, or narrow leaf also called Mexican zinnias), moss rose, purslane, butterfly weed, lantana (usually considered a perennial, but can be used as an annual), sweet potato vines, Dahlberg daisy and Angelonia. For shade: begonias, coleus and impatiens.
Plant vegetables such as okra, black-eyed peas, corn and watermelons. You can still plant the cucurbits: squash, cucumbers and melons.
Wait until May to plant the hot weather tropicals: hibiscus Esperanza, plumbago.
FERTILIZING AND PRUNING
Apply a high-nitrogen fertilizer to lawns. This is usually after the third mowing when the entire lawn is green. Follow up with additional fertilizer in June (optional) and again in September.
Mow Bermuda grass frequently at 1 1/2 inches to keep thick and healthy; St Augustine at 2 1/2 inches.
Use a mulching mower and leave grass clippings on the ground. They will provide a source of nitrogen to feed the lawn.
THIS AND THAT
After planting annuals in the landscape, use any leftovers to make interesting container groupings. Put plants that are or near the same color, but a different shade, in one container. Or use plants of complimentary colors (orange and blue, purple and gold) that are opposite each other on the color wheel. Take cuttings of plants from your garden that are not commonly seen, and hard to fine, and share with others.
GARDEN WATCH
Closely inspect plants for insects and identify pests. If a type that must be controlled is found, use pesticides labeled for that insect. Carefully read and follow label instructions.
Treat individual fire ant mounds with an appropriate bait. Beneficial nematodes (microscopic worms) which may be purchased at many nurseries are also effective. Make sure you get the type that kills fire ants.
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EARTHKIND™ TIPS FOR APRIL:
Excessive and haphazard pruning of shrubs and trees is wasteful and unhealthy. Hedging, topping and shearing only encourage excessive growth. Proper pruning will promote healthy plants with stabilized growth habits.