March 2025
Want to save money on flowers this Spring? Check out my seed starting video.
We never know whether March will enter or exit like a lamb or a lion, but one thing we can be certain of is that the month will likely include the entire gamut of weather phenomena. This first month of Spring can bring snow, hail, gusty winds, and warm sunshine, sometimes all in one day. The days get noticeably longer as we add an hour and twenty minutes of daylight from the beginning to the end of the month. The clocks also move forward this month, making the days seem even longer. That 6:30 p.m. sunset on March 1st moves all the way to 8:00 p.m. by the 31st. Regardless of the weather, gardeners can start rejoicing in the return of color to the garden, as we see snowdrops, crocus, and daffodils unfurl their petals.
Take some time this month to enjoy the occasional warm days and notice the increased wildlife activity in the garden. As the days lengthen, you’ll begin to hear the chorus of the cardinals and robins intensify during the month and see the first signs that the Lazarus lizards are emerging from their Winter slumber.
“When spring came, even the false spring, there were no problems except where to be happiest” - Ernest Hemingway
March Garden Tasks
Now is the time to prune herbaceous shrubs, like Butterfly Bushes and Hydrangeas, which will flower on this year’s new growth. Make sure you prune back to a main stem or directly above a set of buds. Pruning reinvigorates the plant, stimulating new growth, which will result in additional flowers. Do not prune shrubs which flower on last year’s wood and have already set their flower bud for this year, like Forsythia and Lilacs.
If the soil feels warm in your hands, you can also begin to divide and replant your herbaceous perennials, such as Daisies, Black Eyed Susans, Bee Balm, Phlox, and Hostas. If the soil still feels cold in your hand, give it a bit more time, otherwise the roots will not begin growing.
You can also begin sowing seeds inside this month, giving them a headstart before planting out in late April or early May.
Cut down ornamental grasses before new growth begins to emerge
Cut back last year’s Hellebore foliage. This year’s flowers will look much nicer without the tattered old leaves.
Get a jump on weeds. Early spring weeds are beginning to emerge. Removing them now while they are small will make it easier to manage them later this Summer.
March is also a good time to clean, sharpen, and oil your pruners, loppers, and shovels.
March Helpful Tip
Do you find plant tag information confusing? Here are some helpful tips to understand the tags.
Zone Number - Plant tags on perennials and shrubs list the range of USDA Plant Hardiness Zones in which the plant can survive. Greater Cincinnati is located in Zone 6B, which means the coldest winter temperature is typically 0 to -5 Fahrenheit. If your plant tag says the plant’s range is zones 4-8, it will survive our winters.
Light Requirements - Plant tags also provide information on how much sun exposure a plant requires to do well.
Full Sun - the plant requires more than six hours of direct sun per day. Less than that will result in fewer or no blooms.
Part Sun or Part Shade - the plant requires between four to six hours of direct sun per day.
Full Shade - the plant needs less than four hours of direct sun per day. More than that will likely burn the plant.