Mid-Atlantic: March To-Do List

March is a erratic prison term of year in the Mid - Atlantic region . It can bring material springiness weather or stay snowy for much of the month . Adjust your chore accordingly , so you are not working with or walking on soil that is too wet .

Prune on modest day . Remove any winter - damaged stem , and prune summer- and drop - flowering shrubs , such as repeat - flower roses , smooth hydrangea ( Hydrangea arborescens , Zones 3 - 9 ) , and chaste Tree ( Vitexspp . , Zones 6 - 10 ) .

switch off down any remaining dead top growthin beds and borders , and trim off wintertime - damaged leave on hellebores ( Helleborusspp . and cvs . , Zones 4 - 9 ) and other evergreen perennials .

embed up a few containerswith pansies ( Viola xwittrockiana spp . and cvs . , yearly ) , primrose ( Primulaspp . and cvs . , Zones 3 - 9 ) , potted bulb , and other early bloomers for fountain color .

Apply Indian corn gluten mealfor pre - emerging weed control when forsythia ( Forsythiaspp . and cvs . , Zones 4 - 9 ) pop out to bloom .

Indoors , sow seed of cool - season cropssuch as chard , loot , and kale , and affectionate - season crops such as tomatoes and black pepper . outside , you should be able to plant peas , potatoes , and Allium cepa sets toward the final stage of the calendar month .

Nancy J. Ondra is the writer of over fifteen ledger , includingGrasses , The Perennial Care Manual , andThe Perennial Matchmaker .

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This is a good time to cut back smoke bushes (Cotinusspp. and cvs., Zones 4-9) if you want to promote large, colorful foliage later on. Photo: Nancy J. Ondra