It is here! Everything in the garden indicates that spring is here and this is going to be a very busy time. We hope you are enjoying all the activities. This is the month to sow everything you have patiently being waiting to plant once the temperatures warmed up. You should also still be harvesting cool weather crops. There is a glut of fava’s and cauliflowers in my garden. Harvest beets, carrots, lettuce, peas, arugula, herbs, and even ripe cherry tomatoes as needed.
Trees
Rooted deciduous trees such as apples, peaches, and mulberries can still be planted. You can also add grapevines and citrus to the garden right now. If you are looking to add ornamental shade trees, this is a great time! Check out our list of Shade Trees to plant here.
The Veggie Patch
It is a very exciting time in the veggie patch. It’s time to transplant or direct sow:
- Arugula: Continue to sow arugula this month.
- Beans: Get beans in the ground. Soak overnight before planting out. Leave fava beans for planting in October.
- Chickpeas: Transplant out starts.
- Corn: Soak overnight before planting.
- Cowpeas: Plant towards the end of March as they like the heat.
- Cucumber: Direct sow or plant out transplants.
- Ground cherries: Plant out large plants.
- Eggplant: Transplant out seedlings.
- Kohlrabi: Direct sow once more beginning of March or plant out seedlings.
- Melons: Direct sow or transplant seedlings.
- Okra: Direct sow or plant out seedlings. Allow enough space for plants.
- Pepper: Transplant out now.
- Roselle: Direct sow or transplant out seedlings.
- Squash: Plant both winter and summer squash. Winter squash needs a long hot season to mature.
- Strawberries: Plant out bare roots or potted seedlings. Give sufficient water and keep in dappled sun as it starts to get warmer.
- Swiss chard: Soak seeds overnight and direct sow or transplant seedlings.
- Tomatoes: It’s finally time to transplant out seedlings within the first two weeks of March.
Roots
The season for planting roots is coming to an end, but it is time for sweet potatoes to shine.
- Carrots: Time for the very last sowing in the first week of March.
- Beets: Same as carrots.
- I’itoi Onions: Plant now for great harvests later.
- Bunching onions: Plant seeds or transplants.
- Sweet potato: Plant out slips or bits of sweet potato.
Herbs and Flowers
Many herbs and flowers can be planted now. It is too late for planting wildflowers, although they will be blooming soon. This is a short list but most flowers transplanted now will do well.
- Basil: Direct sow towards the end of the month or transplant out now.
- Chives: Direct sow or transplant.
- Calendula: Transplant. Use for teas, oils, and salves.
- Dill: Transplant. Allow t bloom to attract beneficial insects.
- Lemon balm: Transplant seedlings.
- Mints: Transplant out seedlings in the mint family. Keep roots contained if you are concerned about spreading.
- Marigolds: Plant around the veggie garden.
- Sunflowers: Direct sow.
- Zinnia: Will continue to bloom through the summer.
- Yarrow: Sprinkle on soil and keep moist or transplant seedlings.