March Gardening Guide: Tips for a Thriving Spring Yard

As spring approaches in DFW, it's an ideal time to prepare your garden for a vibrant and productive season. Drawing from the Denton County Master Gardener Association's monthly gardening tips, here are some tailored recommendations for March:

Planting

• Herbs: Begin transplanting herbs such as lavender, basil, mint, and sage into your garden. These aromatic plants not only enhance your culinary dishes but also add aesthetic appeal to your landscape.
  
  

• Vegetables: Continue sowing seeds for cool-season vegetables like beets, carrots, and leafy greens. In late March, as the soil warms, you can start planting bean seeds directly outdoors.
  
  

Fertilization

• Lawns: Initiate your lawn fertilization schedule once the grass is actively growing. A practical indicator is after you've mowed the grass (excluding weeds) twice. Timely application of pre-emergent herbicides is crucial; they are ineffective once weeds have germinated.
  
  

• Organic Options: Consider using an organic foliar spray on all planting areas, ensuring you also drench the soil to act as a root stimulator. Applying corn gluten meal early in the month can serve as an organic pre-emergent, though precise timing is essential for optimal results.
  
  

Pruning

• Trees: Complete major pruning tasks for trees this month. Typically, pruning paint isn't necessary. For fruit trees, prune just as buds begin to appear. However, avoid pruning red oaks until after July to prevent potential issues.
  
  

• Spring-Flowering Plants: Only prune these plants after they have finished blooming to ensure you don't remove potential blossoms.
  
  

Don't Forget!

• Frost Protection: While eager to start planting, remember that late freezes can occur, even into April. Protect warm-weather crops accordingly to prevent frost damage.
  
  

• Composting: Initiate a compost pile using vegetable scraps, leaves, and grass clippings. This sustainable practice enriches your soil and reduces waste.
  
  

By sticking to these tailored tips, you can cultivate a thriving garden that enhances your property's curb appeal and provides a rewarding gardening experience throughout the season!