Descanso Garden Club

Seasonal Tasks for the Descanso Gardener

March

• Continue starting seeds and cuttings for the plant sale.
• Cold snaps are still possible.
• Start sweet peas, garden peas, spinach and lettuce outside, now.
• Start tomato seeds inside around the end of the month.
• Start seeds inside for summer flowering annuals.
• Start seeds inside for summer harvested vegetables.
• If soil is not water-logged, dig areas to be planted this spring and amend soil with plenty of compost.
• Plant perennials; give them plenty of water if March rain doesn't show up. Remember to leave plenty of room between plants. They look tiny now, but are no fun to transplant as adults.
• Azaleas and Camellias are about at the end of their bloom season. They put forth strong root growth when blooms finish, so it's a good time to plant them outside.
• Divide perennials as needed. Take this opportunity to refurbish soil before replanting.
• Take a few of the new shoots around Salvias and other perennials for cuttings. Cut back last year's dead branches and stalks as necessary.
• Plant more Glads, Ranuncula, Dutch Iris to extend bloom season.
• Check on water needs for plants held in cold frame.
• Start monthly feedings for container plants.