Spring is just around the corner, and for homeowners in Connecticut, that means it’s time to start planning your gardening activities for the upcoming season. March is the perfect time to get started, as the weather begins to warm up and the soil thaws out, making it easier to start planting. There is a lot you can do, including planting, before the traditional Memorial Day weekend vegetable garden planting time frame or post-frost warning zone.
Here are some tips on what you can do in March to get your spring gardening off to a great start:
Assess your garden space: If you are planting a garden in a new space, you want to find the best spot where plants thrive. Take a walk around your yard and note the areas where the sun shines the longest and where there is the most shade. This will help you determine which plants will thrive in which area.
Know the type of soil you have: Not all soil is equal and if you want your plants to thrive, you should get it tested to know exactly what nutrients if any are lacking. The most accurate way to test your soil is to send samples to the University of Connecticut Soil Lab. Costs are minimal and the results will save you from plants that aren’t thriving!
Prepare your garden beds: March is the perfect time to start preparing your garden beds for planting. Begin by removing any dead plant material, leaves, and debris that may have accumulated over the winter. Next, use a garden fork to loosen the soil and mix in some compost to add nutrients to the soil. Finally, rake the soil to create a smooth surface for planting.
Start seedlings indoors: If you plan on growing your own plants from seed, March is the time to start your seedlings indoors. You can start your seedlings in trays or pots filled with a good quality seed starting mix – old egg cartons or even eggshells make great vessels! Place the trays in a warm, sunny area and keep the soil moist. Once the seedlings have developed their second set of leaves, they are ready to be transplanted into larger containers or directly into the garden, depending on the type of plant and the temperature outside.
Clean and sharpen your tools: Before you start planting, it’s important to clean and sharpen your gardening tools. Use a wire brush to remove any rust and dirt from your tools, and then sharpen them using a file or sharpening stone. This will make your tools more efficient and will make gardening easier.
Create a garden plan: Creating a garden plan is a step you don’t want to skip! Take the time to decide which plants you want to grow and where to plant them – especially flowers. You don’t want towering plants shading out shorter ones, or plants such as mint that will easily spread crowding out others.
Plant cool season crops: March is also the time to plant cool-season crops, and many of these can be replanted to get several harvests throughout the growing season!
Peas – Peas are one of the easiest cool-season crops to grow. They can be planted directly into the soil in March and will mature in about 60 days. Peas prefer well-drained soil and partial sun.
Spinach – Spinach is another easy-to-grow crop that can be planted in March. It prefers cooler temperatures and partial shade and can be harvested in about 40 days after planting.
Lettuce – Lettuce is a cool-season crop that enjoys moist, well-drained soil and partial shade and will be ready for the salad bowl in just days after planting.
Broccoli – Broccoli is a cold-tolerant crop that prefers moist, well-drained soil and full sun. Broccoli can be harvested in about 60 days after planting.
Radishes – Radishes are a fast-growing crop that can be planted in March. They prefer moist, well-drained soil and full sun and can be harvested in about 25 days after planting.
March is the perfect time for all the green-thumbed gardeners – and even newbies to start planning and planting! It’s all about the preparation if you want to enjoy bountiful gardens into the Connecticut fall. We always suggest visiting a local independently owned gardening center and take some time to talk with an expert if you have any questions Happy Gardening!
