In March, gardeners begin to prepare for the upcoming growing season by planting cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach, and peas, as the soil starts to warm. With unpredictable weather, it’s essential to watch for late frosts and use protective coverings to safeguard young plants from freezing temperatures. Read on for more gardening tips!

Plant Doctor Quips

Nick Macaluso, from our Pyramid Way store explains, “March is an excellent time to prune any of your shrubs that bloom on new growth. Some common shrubs in landscapes that can be pruned in March include, Rose of Sharon, Spirea, Butterfly Bush, and many more. Pruning these now will encourage new growth and you will have a shrub that is full of blooms later in the year. On the other hand, if shrubs that bloom on old growth like Forsythia, Lilac, and Viburnum are pruned in March, most of the flower buds will be cut off and the blooming of the shrub will be lackluster. Fertilizing your flowering shrubs with the G&B Bud and Bloom is another great way to increase the amount of blooms on your shrubs. If you do not know when to prune your plants you can always ask one of our plant doctors.“

Steve Packer, Plant Doctor at our S. Virginia store, says, “In our indoor plant section of this month’s timely tips, we recommended making a terrarium. They are fun and easy to make, let me give you a few pointers. Choose a clear container with a lid. Add a layer of small rocks for drainage, followed by activated charcoal to prevent odors. Next, add potting soil suited to your plants. Arrange small indoor plants ensuring they have space to grow (each of our stores carries a nice  selection of small terrarium worthy plants to choose from). Decorate with stones, wood or figurines. Lightly water, then place in indirect light. Monitor plants for mold and trim plants as needed.”

Jeni Ware, Plant Doctor at our S. Virginia store, says, “It’s time to prune your fruit trees and deciduous trees. Be cautious not to remove any more than 25% of the crown or live tissue. Any more that you want to shape or remove should be spread over a few growing seasons. Taking away too much of the tree’s ability to photosynthesize can be detrimental and hard for the tree to recover. If you are pruning a grafted fruit tree be aware of which branches are producing the fruit you want and nurturing those desired limbs. It’s also a great time to fertilize your fruit trees with G&B Organics Citrus & Fruit Tree Fertilizer to support the nutrition your trees need in order to feed you back. Adding deep water and nutrition can insure a bountiful harvest for your family.“

Bird Nerd, Annemarie Tillotson explains, “Just in time for spring, nesting season has just begun! Keep feeders full with mealworms, sunflower seeds, or Bark Butter Bits to keep nesting parents well fed and energized. Offerings of animal fur, twigs, and leaves may be hung on branches or hooks to be used as nesting supplies. Keep an eye out, and you may see birds flying off with these materials to their new home! Be sure to install any bird houses out of predator reach and keep cats indoors if possible. Windy areas are a no-go for bird homes too, as birds might feel unstable or babies may fall out of the nest. Don’t be worried if you see a nest without adults; some nesting parents will temporarily leave the nest to gather food and supplies.“

Rob Bouck, from our Moana Lane store, explains, “While we don’t recommend repotting houseplants through the winter months, mid to late March heralds in a new season of increased day lengths and milder temperatures, increasing your chances of success. In fact, the best time to repot most indoor plants is March, right before their active growing season begins, allowing them to set roots in the fresh soil and making the most of the increasing light and temperature levels. Indicators of a need for a repot include roots circling the pot (root-bound) or roots growing out the drainage holes, stunted growth, or lack of soil space. And though most house plants can tolerate Reno tap water, calcium, magnesium, chlorine and sodium levels (if using softened water) can eventually build up over time in soils, necessitating a repot. When repotting a house plant, generally select a pot a third larger in diameter. This usually equates to an increase of 1 to 2 inches in diameter. If the current pot is larger than 10 inches, you can choose a pot that’s 2 to 3 inches larger in diameter. Moana Nursery carries a full complement of G&B Organics soils, a nice selection of indoor pots and Fertilome liquid house plant foods.  Stop in at any one of our three locations; our Moana sales associates will be happy to help you with your house plant repot needs.“

March
Moana Nursery High Desert Gardening
Timely Tips

  • Call Moana Nursery 825-0602 x134 now to schedule your irrigation turn-on with our Irrigation Specialist.
  • Apply pre-emergent weed control to prevent germination of weeds and unwanted plants in your landscape. Moana recommends Hi- Yield Herbicide Granules for flower beds & non-planted areas, hillsides, paths, etc. 
  • Feed lawn with G&B Organics Lawn Fertilizer. Aerate your lawn, and if necessary, dethatch.
  • Prevent and kill many lawn weeds including dandelions, clover and crabgrass with Bonide ProZone Weed Beater Complete – a pre & post-emergent.
  • Rake up remaining leaves and debris, leaving a little for nesting material for the birds.
  • Start a compost pile; use G&B Organics Starter Fertilizer for faster composting.

As weather & soil conditions permit:

As weather & soil conditions permit:

  • Cut back close to the ground all ornamental grasses & perennials.
  • Gently press back any perennials that heaved out of the ground over winter.
  • Plant cool-season flowers – stocks, primrose, pansies, violets, Shirley poppies, ranunculus, candytuft, thyme, flowering kale and cabbage, etc. with G&B Organics Starter Fertilizer.
  • Enjoy summer blooms earlier by potting up gladiolus, dahlias, crocosmia, lily of the valley, etc. indoors at the beginning of the month, then transplant in the garden when weather has warmed up with Happy Frog Steamed Bone Meal or G&B Organics Bud & Bloom Fertilizer for long lasting blooms.
  • With wild birds’ natural food supply at its lowest this month, offer them high energy foods like peanuts, suet, Jim’s Birdacious® Bark Butter® and mealworms.
  • Keep feeders clean and seed fresh; if food has gotten wet or has been sitting, it’s time to clean the feeder and start with new seed.
  • Some birds will begin building their nests this month; place nesting materials out for them now and consider a Wild Birds Unlimited birdhouse for wrens, chickadees or woodpeckers if they are visiting your yard. 
  • This is a great time of year to share multigenerational observations of birds and wildlife activity. Young and old alike can find a sense of joy and renewal as a new season and new generations begin.
  • Offer Jim’s Birdacious® Bark Butter® and Peanut Butter n’ Jelly suet dough to provide the extra calcium needed during nesting season.
  • Continue to supply fresh water and change it every 5 days to keep it clean.
  • If you have a water feature, turn it on as soon as weather permits.
  • Install a customized Wild Birds Unlimited bird feeding station where you can easily watch the birds it attracts.
  • We offer Irrigation system turn on and inspection for leaks, broken/clogged heads, coverage & other problems through our Moana Irrigation Specialist. Call 825-0602 x134 to schedule.
  • Our Seasonal Color Team can help you with custom containers, annual planting beds or a simple refresh of your existing garden. Schedule a free consultation today!
  • Need help with your indoor plants? Contact our Interior Plant Services team. They can help you design, install, and maintain your indoor plants! Want a WOW plant presentation? Ask about installing a LIVING PLANT WALL! Examples of plant walls are available to see at both our Moana Lane and Pyramid Way locations.
  • Schedule supplemental winter watering for your trees and shrubs by hand or mobile water truck from Landscape Services call 775-825-0602 x134.
  • Our expert Plant Doctors can help you with your high desert gardening;
    • Diagnose disease & insect problems on trees, shrubs & lawns;
    • Identify existing plants in your landscape and how to care for them;
    • Provide plant placement for DIY customers.
    • Stop by any location to ask questions or email plantdoctor@moananursery.com.