For many homeowners across Fort Bend County and the greater Houston area, March signals the true beginning of the spring gardening season. Warmer temperatures, longer days and the return of migratory birds make it the perfect time to refresh landscapes, prepare vegetable beds and enjoy the first waves of seasonal color.

Helping residents make the most of the season are the Fort Bend County Master Gardeners, a volunteer organization trained through the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Each month, the group shares research-based gardening advice designed specifically for local growing conditions, offering practical guidance that helps homeowners succeed in maintaining healthy lawns, gardens and landscapes.

For gardeners across Fort Bend County, March is both an opportunity and a transition month—when winter maintenance gives way to spring planting and landscape care.

Who the Fort Bend County Master Gardeners Are

The Fort Bend County Master Gardeners are trained volunteers who work closely with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to promote science-based horticultural practices in the community.

Master Gardeners complete approximately 60 hours of horticultural training over a 12-week period, learning from Texas A&M professors and Extension specialists. The training covers topics such as soil health, plant selection, pest management, irrigation practices and sustainable landscaping techniques.

In exchange for the training, volunteers provide service to the community through programs coordinated by the local Extension office. Associates must complete 50 hours of volunteer service before earning the official title of Certified Texas Master Gardener, and they must continue meeting annual requirements for volunteer service and continuing education to maintain their certification.

The organization also operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, supporting community education and gardening initiatives throughout Fort Bend County.

How Master Gardeners Help the Community

Throughout the year, Fort Bend County Master Gardeners support residents in a wide variety of ways. Their volunteer work often includes:

• Maintaining demonstration gardens that showcase plants suited to local conditions
• Answering gardening questions from residents
• Hosting plant clinics and educational workshops
• Teaching gardening fundamentals to youth through schools and community programs
• Supporting community gardens and horticultural projects
• Writing articles and educational content for local audiences

All guidance provided by Master Gardeners follows research-based recommendations from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, ensuring that the information shared reflects the best available horticultural science for Texas landscapes.

For many residents, these volunteers serve as an accessible and trusted resource for gardening advice tailored specifically to the Gulf Coast region.

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March Gardening Tasks for Fort Bend County Landscapes

According to the Fort Bend County Master Gardeners’ monthly guide, March is one of the busiest months in the garden as plants begin their spring growth cycle.

Here are several tasks local gardeners may want to consider this month.

Prepare Lawns and Irrigation Systems

Even though consistent watering may not yet be necessary, March is an ideal time to check irrigation systems and ensure proper coverage.

Gardeners can test their sprinklers by placing empty cans across the lawn and running the system. Ideally, the collected water should average about one inch per week, allowing homeowners to identify areas that may need adjustment.

Other early-season lawn tasks include:

• Replacing dull mower blades
• Removing weeds before mowing spreads seeds
• Conducting soil tests to determine fertilizer needs

Master Gardeners recommend waiting until grass has been mowed twice before applying lawn fertilizer if fertilization is needed.

Start Planting Spring Vegetables

March is also prime planting time for many warm-season vegetables in the Houston and Fort Bend County region.

Vegetables that can be planted early in the month include:

• Lima beans
• Pole beans
• Corn
• Eggplant
• Kohlrabi
• Tomatoes

Later in the month, gardeners can also plant:

• Cucumbers
• Muskmelons
• Peppers
• Pumpkins
• Squash

Preparing garden beds with healthy soil and proper drainage can significantly improve the success of these crops.

Watch for Garden Pests — But Don’t Rush to Chemicals

As plants begin their seasonal growth, gardeners should also begin checking for signs of insects or plant damage.

Master Gardeners encourage residents to inspect both leaves and stems carefully before deciding on treatment. If pests are present, the recommended approach is to follow Earth-Kind® Integrated Pest Management practices, which prioritize environmentally responsible solutions rather than immediately resorting to chemical controls.

Bring Children Into the Garden

Gardening can also be a valuable learning experience for families. Studies have shown that children who help grow vegetables are more likely to eat them, making gardening a meaningful activity for both nutrition and outdoor education.

Many Master Gardener programs across Texas actively support youth gardening initiatives and school programs for this reason.

Seasonal Color: What’s Blooming in March

March also brings the first wave of seasonal color across Fort Bend County landscapes.

The Texas Superstar® of the month is the Texas Bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis), the iconic state flower often seen blooming along Texas highways from March through May. Bluebonnets thrive in full sun and well-drained soil and come in several color variations including blue, white, pink and lavender.

Other plants commonly blooming in March include:

• Daylilies, which produce colorful blooms throughout the growing season
• Texas Redbud, a small flowering tree with rose-purple blossoms
• Azaleas and rhododendrons, popular evergreen shrubs known for vibrant spring flowers
• Indian Blanket, a bright orange wildflower often found alongside bluebonnets
• Plumbago, a Texas Superstar and Earth-Kind plant that produces blue or white blooms into winter

These plants help bring early spring color to home landscapes while supporting pollinators and wildlife.

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Visit Local Demonstration Gardens for Inspiration

Residents looking for ideas for their own landscapes can also visit the Fort Bend Master Gardeners demonstration gardens, which showcase plant selections and gardening techniques suited to the local environment.

The gardens serve as a living classroom where visitors can observe plant performance, irrigation strategies and landscape design ideas adapted for Fort Bend County’s climate.

Thinking About Becoming a Master Gardener?

For residents passionate about gardening, the Texas Master Gardener Program offers an opportunity to deepen horticultural knowledge while serving the community.

Participants gain:

• Professional instruction from Texas A&M AgriLife experts
• Access to the Texas Master Gardener Handbook
• Opportunities for volunteer service and education
• Connections with fellow gardening enthusiasts
• Continuing education through Extension programs

Classes for new Master Gardeners are typically offered in the fall, with application details announced ahead of each training cycle.

For many volunteers, the program becomes both a lifelong learning experience and a meaningful way to support neighbors and communities through education and service.

As spring begins to take hold across Fort Bend County, the work of the Master Gardeners reminds residents that gardening is not just about plants—it’s about sharing knowledge, strengthening communities and helping neighbors create landscapes that thrive in Texas conditions.

Residents can learn more about the Fort Bend County Master Gardeners, demonstration gardens and educational programs by visiting their website at fbmg.org.

Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more local gardening tips, seasonal guidance and community updates for Fort Bend County.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.