March
Things to do in March
Fertilize:
Begin monthly feedings of hibiscus after pruning. Start a rose feeding schedule; spray and feed camellias. Begin fertilizing azaleas after they bloom. Fertilize established fruit and nut trees with 1 lb. 15-5-10 per inch of trunk diameter. Berry bushes should receive 1/3 cup per square yard of planting area.
Diseases/Pests to look for:
Watch for aphids on new growth, spider mites on older leaves and cut worms on young transplants. Spray peach and plum trees for curculio weevils when 3/4 of the petals have fallen (repeat three times at two week intervals).
Prune:
Prune hibiscus, also spring flowering shrubs and trees, after they bloom. Prune and train vines. Shape spring-blooming shrubs with light pruning after bloom. Allow bulb foliage to yellow and die before removing.
Things to plant in March
Flower Plants:
- Achillea (Yarrow)
- Ageratum*
- Alyssum
- Joseph’s Coat* (Amaranthus)
- Summer Forget-Me-Not (Anchusa)
- African Daisy (Arctotis)
- Alpine Aster
- Butterfly weed (Asclepias)
- Balloon Flower
- Balsam*
- Blue Daze*
- Blue Cardinal Flower
- Boltonia
- Scarlet Bouvardia
- Browallia*
- Calliopsis
- Candytuft
- Chocolate Plant*
- Chrysanthemum
- Cigar Plant* (Cuphea ignea)
- Cleome*
- Cockscomb*
- Coleus*
- Columbine
- Copper Plant*
- Coreopsis
- Dahlia*
- Dianthus
- Daisy (Michaelmas, Shasta and Painted)
- Feverfew
- Gaillardia
- Geranium*
- Gomphrena*
- Hibiscus*
- Hollyhock
- Indian Blanket
- Jacobinia*
- Lamb’s Ear (Stachys)
- Lantana*
- Liatris
- Edging Lobelia
- Mexican Heather (Cuphea hyssopifolia)
- Nasturtium*
- Nierembergia*
- Penstemon
- Penta
- Petunia*
- Phlox Drummondii
- Plumbago*
- Oriental Poppy
- Salvia* (farinacea, greggii, leucantha, splendens)
- Sedum
- Spiderwort (Tradescantia)
- Stokes’ Aster
- Sunflower* (Helianthus)
- Torenia (Wishbone Flower)
- Veronica
Flower Seeds:
- Ageratum
- Balsam
- Amethyst Flower (Browallia)
- Candytuft
- Castor Bean
- Cleome
- Butterfly Pea (Clitoria)
- Cosmos
- Dahlia
- Echinacea
- Feverfew
- Impatiens
- Moonflower (Ipomea alba)
- Cypress vine (Ipomoea quamoclit)
- Gomphrena
- Sunflower (Helianthus )
- Nasturtium
- Flowering Tobacco (Nicotiana)
- Pinks (Dianthus)
- Portulaca (Moss Rose)
- Sweet Sultan
- Marigold (Tagetes)
- Tithonia
- Torenia
- Verbena
Bulbs:
- Achimenes
- Acidanthera
- Allium
- Alstroemeria
- Amarcrinum
- Amaryllis
- Ground Orchid (Bletilla)
- Caladium
- Calla
- Canna
- Crinum
- Crocosmia
- Dahlia
- Daylily
- Butterfly Iris (Dietes)
- Ginger
- Gladiolus
- Gloriosa Lily
- Hosta
- Spider Lily (Hymerocallis)
- Yellow Star Grass (Hypoxis)
- Liriope
- Monkey Grass
- Rain lily
- Society Garlic
- Tigridia
- Tuberose
* Plant last part of the month.
Vegetables:
- Early—Mid Month: phparagus crowns, Collards, Turnip.
- Mid—Late Month: Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Peppers, Pumpkin, Squash, Watermelon.
- All Month: Beans, Lettuce, Mustard, Radish, Tomato Plants.
Be prepared to protect plants from frosts and freezes. Give transplants a weekly boost the first month with a liquid plant food or “manure tea”.
Herbs:
- Anise
- Star Anise
- Basil*
- Bay
- Borage
- Bouncing Bet
- Caraway
- Catnip
- Chives
- Comfrey
- Costmary
- Cumin
- Fennel
- Fenugreek
- Scented Geranium*
- Germander
- Horehound
- Horseradish
- Lamb’s Ear
- Lavender
- Lemon Grass*
- Lemon Verbena
- Mexican Mint Marigold (a great substitute for French Tarragon)
- Monarda
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Perilla
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Santolina
- Summer Savory
- Winter Savory
- Sesame
- Sorrel
- Southernwood
- Tansy
- Tarragon
- Thyme
- Common Wormwood
- Roman Wormwood
- Yarrow
Fruit:
- Container grown fruit and nut trees
- vines
- bushes
Courtesy of the Garden Guide for Austin & Vicinity, published by the Travis County Master Gardener Association, copyright 2000-2002.