March Gardening Tips: Pruning, Transplanting, Soil Testing, and Lawn Care

March 5, 2010 / Ecoyards
  1. This is a good month to prune your roses to remove diseased canes, stimulate growth, and encourage the best blooms. Make sure you have good clippers and gloves. A small pruning saw is helpful to cut out old canes.
  2. March is also a great time to move trees and shrubs — when the plants are dormant and haven’t leafed. You want to minimize the amount of stress to the trees.
  3. Consider getting your soil tested for heavy metals, pH, soil texture, and organic matter. It’s a good way to help determine and prevent growing problems in your garden. By knowing what’s in your soil, you not only improve the nutritional balance but help reduce fertilizer use. You should get your soil tested every two or three years. Many local Master Gardeners like to send their soil samples to the University of Massachusetts to get them tested. A simple pH test costs about $5, while a general soil test runs about $9.
  4. Plant cool-season crops, such as peas and lettuce.
  5. Consider how you’ll improve your lawn through an organic care program that reduces the use of water, pesticides, and fertilizers. Ecoyards can help you thatch, aerate, top dress, or overseed your lawn. Contact us for a consultation.
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