The March Gardener
March is a month when signs of spring start to appear. Whether it be your daffodil bulbs poking out from the ground or patches of clover starting to cover your garden or something simple as the sun staying out an hour longer before it says goodbye for the night- all of which bring hope and a sense of joy that you will soon be gardening again. Until a sudden snowstorm crushes your hopes.
Weather in March can be unpredictable. For us gardeners, we just have to be patient and wait for the last frost to pass. Until then here are some helpful tips to prepare you for gardening in the spring.
Stock up on Seeds
By now you will find stores that already have gardening tools and planters displayed on shelves, and a wide selection of seeds for sale. Look for seeds that can be planted during spring or weeks after the last frost. Start a small indoor garden by planting your seeds like onions and parsley, or early spring flowers like pansies. Save some money and make your own greenhouse by reusing egg cartons and soup cans to plant your seeds then cover your seed pots with plastic wrap. Next, place your seeds in a sunny location in the house. The plastic wrap traps the heat from the sun creating the ideal environment for your seeds to grow. By springtime, your seedlings will be ready to transplant outside.
Garden Inventory
Are you in need of new garden sheers? Maybe your garden lights are no longer shining bright or your bird feeder has taken a beating from the snow? Take advantage of early spring/garden deals. Local pharmacy stores like Rite Aid and even Amazon always have discounts on spring-related items. Stock up on supplies so you’ll be ready to dig and plant come spring.
Make a List
Sounds simple, but making a list can help you organize your gardening tasks. Start with the most important chores such as removing dead leaves from your garden and adding them in your compost bin. And speaking of composting, is your compost taking forever to break down? Add some dirt to your compost, whether it be from the ground that is free from disease or store-bought. The organisms in the dirt will help speed up the composting process.
So if you’re feeling discouraged because winter is still lingering, rest assured that you’ll be planting outside in no time. Until then, start planting seeds indoors and then transplant them outside when the weather is warmer. Stock up on gardening supplies and make a list of your garden chores so you won’t feel overwhelmed.
Happy Gardening!
