Gardener's checklist: March

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu

It’s March. Meteorological spring has arrived (March 1) and the vernal equinox is right around the corner (March 20). What should Minnesota gardeners be doing the last two weeks of March?

• Prune trees like fruit trees, crabapples, showy mountain ash, hawthorn, oak.
  • Pruning trees and shrubs
  • How to prune apple trees: A 3-part series 
  • Stop pruning oaks on April 1 as the risk for oak wilt becomes high.
    • Oak Wilt in Minnesota
• Get seeds: locally, online, trade with friends
• Start seeds that need 6-8 weeks till they can be planted outside.
  • Planting the vegetable garden
  • Lighting for indoor plants and starting seeds
• Scout houseplants for insects.
  • Many houseplants are in full bloom - orchids, amaryllis, Easter cactus - and are magnets for pests like mealybugs, fungus gnats, spider mites.
  • Managing insects on indoor plants
• Get your tools in order.
  • Diseases can still be on pruners, spades, hoes, cages, stakes, pots and other gardening implements even after a cold winter.
  • Take a day to Clean and disinfect your gardening tools and containers.