March has finally arrive , garden centre and nursery are open for springiness commercial enterprise with rack of irresistible seed packets on display , await the eager nurseryman . And , after a inhuman , stiff and snow-covered winter , the vegetable gardener has leap febrility and is craving a bit of a dig in the malicious gossip . The comply list of cool conditions crops were compiled from the VCE publication“Vegetable Planting Guide and Recommended Planting Dates”and indicateswhich vegetable may be planted in our arena after the middle of March :

Asparagus ( crowns )

Collards

Leeks

Mustard

Kale

Onion ( curing )

Peas

Spinach

Radish

Turnips

Potatoes

In a hurryto get those tomato plant and pepper seed started indoors ? The general rule of thumb is to start tomato and pepper seeds indoors about 6 - 8 week before the final frost , which in our area is around May 15th(VCE publishing 426 - 331 ) , which imply we need to hold off until around the ending of March . pepper , however , I have found pauperization about an additional 2 workweek head begin and can be started around the middle of March .

It ’s not toolate ! It never fails —   whenever I get hold of the local file name extension power about a job in the garden or orchard ,   their first response is “ when was the last time you did a soil test and what were the results ? ”   So now before I expect , I try ! A soil trial run is a worthful tool for not only identifying problems but preventing problems as well . A soil test is a tool that let you to keep your soil at optimal richness levels and pH levels . To keep your garden fine - tuned you need to perform a grime test every 2 - 3 years . A filth sample kit thoroughgoing with instructions is available for free at your local Virginia Cooperative Extension Office . For extra selective information on filth testing look at the VCE PublicationVCE PUBLICATION 452 - 129 .

Lettuce is very raw to low ( acid ) pH levels , so lime should be apply to your lettuce bed if the pH is below 6.0 .   YES , you will call for a soil psychometric test to determine the pH level and the need for lime .

Do n’t confound away thatleaky old garden hose ! you’re able to use it to protect yourself and the blade of your pruning saw during depot . Make a top for the saw bladewith a piece of old gardening hose . disregard a section of the horticulture hose to the same distance as the leaf blade . skip the hosiery lengthwise on one side and site it over the saw blade .

If your gardensoil crusts after a rainwater , this may result in wretched germination , because young seedings are too fragile to break away though the crust . This problem may be due to over - till the soil . Also , cover the seeds with ¼ inch of compost or o.k. mulch matter , which will keep the dirt moist and help prevent crusting .

If you are planning abackyard orchard , start bymapping out the internet site , hold exceptional attention to melodic line and water drainage . Remember , just like water , cold air flow down hill . fend off frost pockets — areas where dusty air gathers — or you may be thwarted year after yr when flower buds stop dead and drop , resulting in little or no yield .

Often cum catalogs and seeded player packets indicate a planting time , sometimes using the phrase , “ as presently as the grease can be worked . ” One dewy-eyed test to determine if the soil can be worked is to squeeze a hired man - full of soil into a testis . If the soil holds together in a wet or pasty ball , it ’s too pissed to work . One of my favored tools to take the guess out of make out when to plant is a soil thermometer . dirt temperatureis the best indicator that the prison term is correct for planting . Asa oecumenical principle , cool season crop — collards , leek , pea plant , radish , and Spinacia oleracea — can be embed when the soil give a temperature of 45 - 50ºF while warm time of year crops — cucumbers , squash , corn , bonce and melons — need a soil temperature above 70º F.

March is a near time to begina compost pile if you have not done so already . Most garden centers or nursery sell composting bins . For help in design your compost batch see our Februaryfeature article on compostin The Garden Shed , or view theVCE Publication 442 - 005 , “ Composting Your Organic Kitchen Waste with Worms . ”

Not certain what vegetablesor specific variety of vegetables to engraft ? break outVCE Publication No . 246 - 480“Vegetables Recommended for Virginia , ” which cater a comprehensive listing of recommended varieties .

fountain fertilization offruit treesshould come about about 3 - 4 weeks before active growth start out . scattering fertilizer evenly under the tree , start about 2 groundwork from the bole and extending just beyond the drip mold line or end of the furthest branches . A soil psychometric test should be performed prior to applying fertilizer . For additional information of fruit trees visitVCE publishing 426 - 841 , “ Tree Fruit in the Garden . ”

The optimum time toprune fruit treesis just before they bloom . Pruning allows the tree to direct nutrients to branches that will bear high caliber fruit . The target is to remove numb , diseased or damaged woodwind . Also , remove shoot that are grow straight up or straight down as neither provides for unspoiled yield ontogenesis . Growth crisscrossing the meat of tree diagram should be dispatch as well . A more candid tree allow gravid light penetration and atmosphere circulation , thereby increase fruit character and decreased disease and dirt ball insistency . For addition prune information visitVCE Publication 422 - 025 , “ Physiology of Pruning Fruit Trees . ”

Bramble fruits such asraspberries and blackberriesmay be plant in mid- to late March . Plant in moist , well - drained soil containing magnanimous amounts of hummus or constitutive matter . For weed controller , mulch around newly found bramble with a hardwood or softwood mulch . For extra information on how to grow bramble yield , visitVCE Publication 426 - 840 , “ Small Fruit in the Home Garden . ”

Thanks for stopping by The Garden Shed .   We hope to see you again next calendar month .

Resources :

“ Vegetable Planting Guide and Recommended Planting Dates . ” Va.   Coop . Ext . issue 426 - 331,http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426 - 331/426 - 331.html

“ vegetable Recommended For Virginia , ” Va. Coop . Ext . Publication 426 - 480,https://pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426 - 480/426 - 480.html

“ Is it time to plant vegetable ? Ask your soil thermometer,”Oregon State University Extension , http://extension.oregonstate.edu / gardening / it - fourth dimension - plant - vegetables - ask - your - soil - thermometer