Community
March Gardening Tips
March 14 2022
Have a green thumb? Here are a few quick tips on what to plant this spring for our region.
VEGETABLES
Plant vegetables such as tomatoes, sweet corn and snap beans and pepper, as well as cucumbers, lima or butter beans, cantaloupe, okra (if the soil has warmed sufficiently - 70 degrees F. or higher), southern peas, pumpkin, squash, peanuts and watermelon.
LAWN
- Re-sod or replant as needed with turfgrasses adapted to this part of Texas and suited to the planting location (shade or sun).
- When resodding semi-shaded areas with St. Augustine, use ONLY the variety Floratam for best pest resistance. See www.plantanswers.com/grass.htm.
TREES AND SHRUBS
- Plant container-grown trees and shrubs as soon as possible. In shady areas, where grass is difficult to grow, consider planting a dependable groundcover such as English ivy, Asian jasmine, vinca or one of the prostrate junipers.
- Prune spring flowering and evergreen shrubs during early March. However, be sure to prune spring flowering shrubs after they have bloomed.
- Fertilize with a pre-plant application of a slow-release fertilizer analysis such as 19 - 5 - 9 at the rate of 3 pounds per 100 square feet of garden planting area. Early March is the ideal time to fertilize landscape plants because you give them food just before the spring growing season starts.
Want more? Read Harris County Master Gardeners' latest newsletter with lots of ideas, tips and strategies that will help you create the garden you've always dreamed of!