The arrival of March signals the beginning of the spring gardening season. Landscapes are starting to put on a reinvigorating display of color. Here’s a checklist of things to do for the month.
Hobby Greenhouse Seminar
Many gardeners dream of one day having a hobby greenhouse. Indeed, a hobby greenhouse can open up a whole new world of gardening. If you’ve been thinking about building a hobby greenhouse, take the next step by attending our upcoming seminar on “Hobby Greenhouses — A Homeowners Guide” to gain worthwhile, practical information to help you in your decision-making process.
Master Gardener Bob McPherson will present the seminar from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Galveston County Extension Office located at 5115 state Highway 3 in Dickinson. McPherson is well experienced in the use and operation of greenhouses and is a hobby greenhouse owner. There is no registration fee, but due to limited space, preregistration is required by phone at 281-534-3413, Ext. 1-2 or by e-mail at GALV3(at)wt.net.
Galveston Home And Garden Show
Be sure to pencil in a notation on your to-do list to attend the upcoming 20th annual Galveston Home and Garden Show at the Galveston Island Convention Center at San Luis at 5600 Seawall Blvd. The show will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, With more than 100 exhibitors, you’ll be able to find just about everything imaginable when it comes to home improvement projects and home gardening. Master Gardeners with the Galveston County Extension Office will be available to answer your gardening questions.
Snake Sense Seminar
The mere mention of the word snake can evoke a range of negative emotions in both adults and youths, including fear, apprehension, etc. However, a little bit of awareness and knowledge goes a long way in effectively dealing with this “uninvited guest” in the landscape and home. Regardless of your “emotional response index,” be sure to preregister for our upcoming seminar titled “Snakes Sense — A Homeowners Guide.” The seminar will be conducted from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. March 15 at the Galveston County Extension Office located at 5115 state Highway 3 in Dickinson. Discussion topics will include snake identification and management options for the homeowner.
Tom Wilks, who is a herpetologist, will present the seminar. He will have several live specimens on display. Children are welcome and will benefit from this presentation but must be accompanied by an adult. There is no registration fee, but due to limited space, preregistration is required by phone at 281-534-3413, Ext. 1-2 or by e-mail at GALV3(at)wt.net.
Planting Trees And Shrubs
If you haven’t done so already, try to finish your shrub and tree planting during March so the plants can become well established before the approach of summer heat. Remember, don’t buy and set out more plants than you have time to care for — they will suffer for it during the summer. Remember, too, proper planting and bed preparation are critical.
Fertilize Landscape Trees And Shrubs
March is an excellent time to fertilize established landscape trees and shrubs as they come out of their long winter dormancy period and put out new growth. It is not necessary to punch holes in the ground to fertilize trees or shrubs or to use fertilizer spikes. Surface application of a granular fertilizer is quite satisfactory.
Vegetables
Many types of vegetables can be established in the garden during March, including transplants of tomatoes and peppers, as well as direct-seeding of corn, cucumbers, eggplant, southern peas and many other vegetables. Wait until the last week of March or early April to plant okra, which does not tolerate cool spells.
Houseplants
Now is an excellent time to repot houseplants. Gently remove the root ball out of the original growing container and inspect the root system. If the roots are crowded and matted on the outside of the root ball, put the plant in a larger pot. If the roots are not visible along the outside of the rootball, the plant probably has a poor root system and should be moved to a smaller pot. Move up or down only one pot size when transplanting.
Lawn Weeds
Weeds in a lawn usually indicate lawn-management problems. If weeds are a problem in the lawn, first get a soil test done to determine the fertility level of the soil. While the individual levels of various soil nutrients (such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as well as micronutrients) are important, the relative proportions of soil nutrients to each other are also critical. A healthy turf is your first line of defense against weeds.
Weed Killers And Trees
Many landscape trees and shrubs are damaged or killed each year by the careless application of weed killers to lawns, including those found in mixes of weed killers and fertilizers (commonly called “weed & feed”). Always read and follow all label directions very carefully including application near the drip line of landscape trees and shrubs.
Lawn Mowers
Inspect the lawn mower early and take care of needed repair work early to avoid the spring rush at the local lawn mower repair shop. Be sure the mower blade is sharp.
Bedding Plants
Be selective in planting annuals and bedding plants. Set out no more than you can properly care for. For limited garden areas, try using containers on the patio or porch.
Dividing perennials: Divide existing clumps of fall-blooming perennials, such as chrysanthemums, autumn asters, Mexican marigold mint, and physostegia (obedient plant). Separate the clumps into individual plants and set them at least 8 to 10 inches apart in groupings of five or more.
Dr. William Johnson is a horticulturist with the Galveston County Extension Office of Texas Cooperative Extension, Texas A&M University. Visit the Web site at http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston.
