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GARDEN CHECKLIST FOR MARCH
In this weeks article I want to mention things
gardeners need to be considering for March. The following
is a garden checklist:
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Last call to sign up for the
Baxter County Master Gardener Seminar on March 14 at the
Redeemer Lutheran Church Family Life Center in Mtn.
Home. On the program this year will be Janet
Carson, Extension horticulture specialist, speaking on
“The ABC’s of Pruning,” and Dr. Craig Andersen,
Extension vegetable specialist, will cover “Vegetables
Around the House.” There is a fee of $15 to attend the
seminar. Attendance is limited and pre-registration is
required. To register: send
name, address, phone number, email address (for
confirmation), and a $15 check ($5 for lunch – optional)
payable to BCMG, to the following address: BCMG
Seminar, 1034 CR 989, Mtn. Home, AR 72653, for
questions call 492-5113 or 492-5788.
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Now is as late as you want to wait if you want to use
glyphosate to control winter weeds in your Bermuda
yard. If you wait too much longer your Bermuda grass
will begin to green-up. Check Bermuda first for signs
of green-up. Look up against sidewalks and buildings
where Bermuda would start growing the earliest. Do not
use glyphosate if your Bermuda has started to green-up.
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Wait to fertilize fescue lawns until they have started
growing good. You could even wait until April to
fertilize them. If you have some bare spots or a thin
lawn, now is the time to seed tall fescue.
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Spray broadleaf weeds in lawns with a broadleaf weed
killer such as Trimec. Spray weeds after we have had a
few days of 60ºF or higher temperature.
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Pre-emerge herbicides can be used (apply between March
15 to April 1) on lawns to control early weeds and
crabgrass. Don’t apply pre-emerge on newly seeded
lawns, however.
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March is a good time to plant trees and shrubs. Be sure
to remove ties and strings around balled-in-burlap
plants. Cut the burlap in several places. Don’t leave
any burlap above the ground as it can wick moisture away
from the plant.
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Bareroot plants, those in plastic sleeves, must be
planted while dormant.
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Avoid moving houseplants outside until late April.
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Avoid planting tender vegetables and bedding plants
until mid to late April when frost danger is past.
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A general rule of thumb is divide fall bloomers in the
spring and spring bloomers in the fall. Dig and divide
hostas, chrysanthemums and sedums.
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Give ornamental grasses such as liriope a haircut to
remove old leaves. This should be done before new
growth begins.
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Before heading out to the nursery for new plants, have a
plan in mind. Space new plants according to eventual
size, not what they are now. Ask about sunlight
requirements, moisture and growth habits. Proper
selection can relieve a lot of headaches later.
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Prune hybrid tea roses if not done already. Roses
should be pruned in late February or early March.
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Prune fruit trees, grape vines, and blueberry plants.
These should all be pruned while dormant. Peaches can
be pruned even while blooming, just be careful not to
knock off the blooms.
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Prune crepe myrtles, buddleias, and summer blooming
spireas.
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Over wintering tropicals should be sheared back.
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Start seeds indoors for tomatoes, peppers, and
eggplants.
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Continue to plant cool-season vegetables.
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Allow bulbs six weeks of growth after bloom.
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Prune spring blooming plants after bloom.
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If you want a specific color azalea, buy it in bloom to
assure a color match.
For more information on any of the above points, contact the
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative
Extension office at 425-2335.
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