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March marks the beginning of spring for Zone 5 gardeners. It’s an ideal time to start planting and pruning to prepare your garden for the growing season. Understanding what to prune and plant in March can lead to a healthy, thriving garden throughout the year.
General Garden Preparations
Before diving into planting, clear away any remaining debris from winter. Sharpen and clean your garden tools to ensure clean cuts when pruning. Consider adding compost or organic matter to improve soil fertility.
What to Prune in March
Pruning in March helps promote healthy growth and prevents disease. Focus on removing dead, damaged, or diseased branches from trees and shrubs. Proper pruning also shapes plants and encourages new growth.
Pruning Trees
Prune fruit trees such as apple and pear to remove crossing branches and thin out crowded areas. For ornamental trees, cut back dead or broken branches, and make clean cuts just outside the branch collar.
Pruning Shrubs
Prune early-blooming shrubs like lilacs and forsythia after they bloom. Remove any winter-damaged branches and shape the plants to encourage healthy growth.
What to Plant in March
March is the perfect time to start planting cool-season vegetables, flowers, and herbs indoors or directly outdoors, depending on the weather. Starting plants early gives them a head start for the growing season.
Vegetables
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Carrots (direct sow)
- Lettuce
- Spinach
Flowers and Herbs
- Petunias (start indoors)
- Marigolds
- Zinnias
- Basil (start indoors)
- Cilantro
- Parsley
Tips for Successful Planting
Ensure the soil temperature is warm enough—ideally above 40°F for most vegetables. Use mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Keep an eye on the weather forecast to protect young plants from late frosts.
Conclusion
March is a busy month for Zone 5 gardeners. With proper pruning and timely planting, you can set the stage for a productive and beautiful garden season. Happy gardening!