March is fast approaching

"May your Lamp of Hope Never Need Oil"

This Irish wish on one of MeMa's ancient Post Cards caught my eye as I was looking out the window at the darkening clouds that are threatening record February snow and cold coming towards us. Definitely an evening to work in the greenhouse. On my way home from the office I passed by the Nursery and noticed a couple flats of mixed plants sitting by the dumpster. I stopped and asked Dave the Manager about them and he said they were left over from their display at the Home and Garden show and I was welcome to them. Soooo they all followed me home.

The tag says it can be used indoors or out



One of MeMas favorite, old fashioned Wall Flowers



One whole flat of yellow and white Primroses



Grape Hyacinth, they should look great blooming in this pot





Very fragrant yellow Hyacinth

March is a busy month in the garden, well compared to February that is. I'm glad I was slow in getting the final pruning done on my rose garden as you can see it is a bit frozen.

Best left until they are not frozen in order to keep from damaging the fresh cuts

Under that snow are Magnolia blossoms waiting to dazzle

My garlic bed looking healthy but cold

Monkey Puzzle Tree
The guardian of the front landscape, such a hearty species its no wonder they have been unchanged through the millennia.

Although not Irish MeMa's collection of Devon Mottoware make a great display. The cream and sugar pots on the right are a set she has had for years, passed down to her from a generation before. In our travels we have slowly added to the collection.

March Calendar

Roses - Fertilize roses. After you’ve pruned established roses and before spring growth starts, feed plants. Wait to feed newly set-out plants until after first bloom.

Early March - final pruning of roses. If you missed Washington's Birthday in the last week of February

Seeds - Sow flower seeds. Bachelor’s button, calendula, clarkia, cosmos, godetia, larkspur, Shirley poppy, snapdragon, sweet alyssum, Love in the Mist, Poppies can all be sown in the garden now. Put them in full sun.

Vegetables - Plant cool season vegetables. Beet, carrot, lettuce, pea, radish and spinach can all be sown this month, as can most cabbage family members. A cloche helps warm the soil and gives seedlings an early start. Bare-root artichokes, asparagus, horseradish and rhubarb are available.

Ferns - Last week, cut back all old fronds.

Berries - Feed berries. Put a complete fertilizer on all kinds of berries except strawberries. (you feed them after the June crop) Before you put in new berries or divide old ones, amend the soil with generous amounts of compost.

Perennials - One trustworthy sign that clumps need dividing is reduced flower production or lackluster growth last year. Divide overgrown clumps this month, and plants will be more vigorous this summer. Use a shovel to dig in a circle around clumps, then pop them out of the ground and slice them into chunks. most plants will do well cut into pieces 6 - 8 inches across. Replant divisions into well-amended soil or put them in pots. If you have too many plants, consider giving your excess to a worthy organization for its plant sale.

Blueberries – Starting on St. Patrick’s Day feed with Sulfate of Ammonia.

When new growth starts and while wet weather is still with us fertilize with Rhodibloom.

Fruit Trees – Apply lime to strengthen branches.