Wow , it ’s March , and the day are growing longer , so we can be blessed and teased with mild ardent 24-hour interval , cold snow-clad 24-hour interval , rain and long-winded days . March is the month of many season . Regardless of the unpredictable weather , March is the start of the spring gardening time of year , a time to fill out those wintertime chore we dare not persuade over into the outpouring hurry season , when there are so many tasks and so little time . cease fall and winter garden tasks , purchasing cum , and starting the 2017 veggie garden are the March tasks that vie for the gardener ’s attention . In increase to all those undertaking , the gardener is often overcome with a severe case of spring fever brought on by warm   weather and compounded by a sojourn to a local gardening nub or nursery were we are confronted with rack of resistless seed mailboat on exhibit ! Sometimes it ’s difficult to remember that it ’s not yet bound . However , for that nurseryman with a bad case of leap fever and an impulse to dig in the soil , there are cool atmospheric condition crops that may be planted in March .

The following inclination of coolheaded weather crops was compile from the VCE issue “ Vegetable Planting Guide and Recommended Planting Dates ” and bespeak which vegetables may be planted in our area after the middle of March :

Asparagus ( crowns )

Collards

Leeks

Mustard

Kale

Allium cepa ( sets )

Peas

Spinach

Radish

white turnip

white potato

In a hurryto get those Lycopersicon esculentum and pepper seeds started indoors ? The general rule of thumb is to get down Lycopersicon esculentum and Madagascar pepper seeds indoors about6 - 8 weeks before the terminal hoarfrost , which in our area is around May 15th ( VCE Publication 426 - 331 ) , and that mean we want to have got off start out those seeds until around the oddment of March . pepper , however ,   involve about an extra 2 - 3 weeks head start and can be started earlier .

It ’s not too later for a soil trial ! It never conk out — whenever I get in touch with the local extension office about a problem in the garden or orchard , their first response is “ when was the last time you did a soil examination and what were the effect ? ” So now before I ask , I test ! A dirt test is a worthful tool for not only identifying problems but prevent problems as well . A soil test is a dick that allows you to keep your land at optimum fertility levels and pH levels . To keep your garden delicately - tuned , you ask toperform a filth test every 2 - 3 old age . A soil sampling kit gross with instructions is usable for innocent at your local Virginia Cooperative Extension Office . For extra selective information on soil testing checker outVCE PUBLICATION 452 - 129 .

Lettuce is very sensitive to moo pH point ( acid ) , so calcium oxide should be applied to your lettuce bottom if the pH is below 6.0 . YES , you will need a soil test to set the pH level and the pauperism for lime !

Do n’t throw out that leaky old garden hosepipe ! you may use it to protect yourself and the blades of your pruning saw during storage . Make a masking for the saw blade with a piece of old gardening hosiery . slew a section of the gardening hosepipe to the same length as the leaf blade . Cut the hosiery lengthwise on one side and place it over the saw blade .

If your garden territory crusts after a rainfall , this may result in poor germination , because young seedings are too fragile to break though the encrustation . This problem may be triggered by over - tilling the ground . breed the source with ¼ inch of compost or fine mulch matter , which will keep the filth moist and serve prevent crusting .

If you are plan a backyard grove , start by mapping out the land site , giving special aid to air and water supply drainage . think of , just like H2O , cold tune flow down hill . Avoid frost sac — field where cold-blooded aviation gathers — or you may be disappointed twelvemonth after year when flower buds freeze and drop , resulting in little or no yield .

Often seed catalogue and seed packets indicate a planting time , sometimes using the phrase , “ as before long as the dirt can be worked . ” One simple test to square up if the dirt can be worked is to squeeze a hand - full of soil into a orchis . If the soil holds together in a loaded or sticky nut , it ’s too sozzled to cultivate . One of my favorite tools to take the guess out of knowing when to plant is a filth thermometer . Soil temperature is the best index number that the time is correct for planting . As a general rule , nerveless time of year crops — collard greens , leeks , peas , radish , and Spinacia oleracea — can be embed when the soil reach a temperature of 45 - 50ºF ,   while quick season crops — cucumbers , squash , corn , beans and melons — want a soil temperature above 65º F.

March is a just time to begin a compost pile if you have not done so already . Most garden centers or nurseries sell composting bins . For assist in planning your compost pile see our2016 February feature article on compostin The Garden Shed , or view theVCE Publication 442 - 005 , “ compost Your Organic Kitchen Waste with Worms . ”

Not sure what veg or specific varieties of vegetable to implant ? tally outVCE Publication No . 246 - 480“Vegetables Recommended for Virginia , ” which provides a comprehensive itemisation of recommend mixed bag .

Spring fertilization of fruit Tree should go on about 3 - 4 hebdomad before combat-ready growth begins . spread plant food equally under the tree , lead off about 2 feet from the automobile trunk and cover just beyond the drip line or end of the furthest branches . A soil test should be do prior to employ fertilizer . For extra information of fruit trees visitVCE issue 426 - 841 , “ Tree Fruit in the Garden . ”

The optimal time to prune fruit Tree is just before they bloom . Pruning allows the tree to calculate nutrients to branches that will bear high quality yield . The object is to slay deadened , pathological or discredited Mrs. Henry Wood . Also , remove shoots that are spring up straight up or direct down as neither provides for proficient yield development . Growth crisscross the center of tree should be removed as well . A more open tree diagram tolerate great abstemious penetration and breeze circulation , thereby increase fruit quality and decreased disease and dirt ball pressure . For extra pruning information , visitVCE Publication 422 - 025 , “ Physiology of Pruning Fruit Trees . ”

Bramble fruits such as hoot and blackberries may be imbed in mid to later March . plant life in moist , well - enfeeble ground curb large amounts of humus or constituent matter . For weed control , mulch around newly planted brambles with a hardwood or softwood mulch . For extra info on how to grow bramble fruit , visitVCE Publication 426 - 840,“Small Fruit in the Home Garden . ”

Thanks for stopping byThe Garden Shed . We hope to see you again next month .

resource :

“ Vegetable Planting Guide and Recommended Planting Dates . ” Va. Coop . Ext . Publication 426 - 331,http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426 - 331/426 - 331.html

“ vegetable Recommended For Virginia , ” Va. Coop . Ext . publishing 426 - 480,https://pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426 - 480/426 - 480.html

“ Is it time to set vegetable ? inquire your soil thermometer,”Oregon State University Extension , http://extension.oregonstate.edu / gardening / it - clock time - plant - vegetable - ask - your - soil - thermometer