Gardening Tips by John Begeman: March Gardening Calendar

	Arid-Southwestern Gardening Information *Gardening Tips by John Begeman*


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Index : March Gardening Calendar

1. Fertilize trees

2. Thin Fruit on deciduous fruit trees

3. Plant Warm Season Vegetables

4. Prune frost-damaged plants

5. Prevent Spider Mite Damage

6. Seasonal Leaf Drop

7. Plant trees and shrubs

1. Fertilize trees - Top

Fertilize trees not native to the desert, such as oak and elm, just prior to new spring growth. Apply a fertilizer such as ammonium sulfate (21-0-0) or other high nitrogen fertilizer to stimulate new growth. Apply one cup of fertilizer for each inch on trunk diameter for trees. The trunk diameter should be measured 12 inches from the ground. The fertilizer should be spread evenly around the tree, starting a foot from the trunk and extending out a little beyond the edge of the branches. After applying the fertilizer, slowly water it in by hand or using a soaker hose. - Updated: March, 2002

2. Thin Fruit on deciduous fruit trees - Top

Thin fruit on deciduous fruit trees including; apple, peach, plum, and apricot to increase fruit size. Tree fruit should be spaced so that there is about 6 inches between fruit. In so doing, enough leaves will be present to supply the manufactured sugars for the fruit's development to maximum size and sweetness. First, do some general thinning by sharply striking branches with a section of rubber garden hose. This will cause some fruit to drop. Next, thin the remaining fruit by hand picking the marble-sized fruit to the recommended 6 inch spacing. Then, continue to water and watch the fruit grow! - Updated: March, 2002

3. Plant Warm Season Vegetables - Top

Plant warm season vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, egg plant, cucumber, summer squash, melon, and sweet corn. Getting an early start to spring gardening is important here in the desert. An early start means vegetables will be ready prior to the withering heat of June. Transplants (young plants) of tomato, pepper, and egg plant can be purchased at local garden centers for planting out in the garden. Seeds of cucumber, summer squash, melon, and sweet corn can also be purchased from local seed and garden stores and planted directly into the garden. - Updated: March, 2002

4. Prune frost-damaged plants - Top

Prune frost-damaged plants such as bougainvillea and lantana. Check the stems for signs of life. With a sharp knife, peal back some of the bark on the outer stems. If there is green sapwood underneath, do not prune these stems as new growth will soon appear. If, on the other hand, the wood beneath the bark is dry and brown, prune back to live wood.
- Updated: March, 2002

5. Prevent Spider Mite Damage - Top

Prevent spider mite damage on evergreens such as Italian cypress, juniper and pyracantha by spraying plants with a strong jet of water from the garden hose. The strong force of water will wash off many of the mites and prevent the typical browning injury caused by these tiny sucking insects. Check for spider mites by placing a white sheet of paper under yellowing or browning needles or leaves. Tap sharply on the branches. Dislodged mites will appear on the paper as dust-like particles moving about. Continue water sprays periodically through June. Soap sprays can also be applied to control mites. Mix two tablespoons of liquid dish washing detergent in a gallon of water. Apply two sprays to infested plants spaced 7 days apart. Repeat later this spring if needed. - Updated: March, 2002

6. Seasonal Leaf Drop - Top

Seasonal leaf drop is occurring on pine, live oak, African sumac, mesquite and other trees. This is when the old growth drops off to make room for the spring growth flush. Trees, even of the same species will lose their leaves at different times over the next month. Don't be alarmed, this is a natural occurrence and does not indicate a problem. - Updated: March, 2002

7. Plant trees and shrubs - Top

Plant trees and shrubs of all types including citrus. March is the best time to plant new landscape plants. Warm soils and mild temperatures enable plants to establish themselves before the hot weather sets in. Dig the planting hole no deeper than the root ball of the plant you are planting. The root ball should set on undisturbed soil to prevent settling. Make sure the top of the root ball is set flush or slightly above the surrounding grade. Dig the hole about twice as wide as the root ball. Remove any large rocks, but fill the planting hole with the same soil that was removed. Do not mix mulch, topsoil, peat moss, or other amendments to the soil for backfill. These soil amendments will inhibit the development of new roots. Finally, keep newly planted trees and shrubs watered on a daily basis for the first two or three weeks. Then gradually increase the intervals between watering. - Updated: March, 2002

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: 1. Fertilize trees; 2. Thin Fruit on deciduous fruit trees; 3. Plant Warm Season Vegetables; 4. Prune frost-damaged plants; 5. Prevent Spider Mite Damage; 6. Seasonal Leaf Drop; 7. Plant trees and shrubs

1. Fertilize trees - Top: Fertilize trees not native to the desert, such as oak and elm, just prior to new spring growth. Apply a fertilizer such as ammonium sulfate (21-0-0) or other high nitrogen fertilizer to stimulate new growth. Apply one cup of fertilizer for each inch on trunk diameter for trees. The trunk diameter should be measured 12 inches from the ground. The fertilizer should be spread evenly around the tree, starting a foot from the trunk and extending out a little beyond the edge of the branches. After applying the fertilizer, slowly water it in by hand or using a soaker hose. - Updated: March, 2002

2. Thin Fruit on deciduous fruit trees - Top: Thin fruit on deciduous fruit trees including; apple, peach, plum, and apricot to increase fruit size. Tree fruit should be spaced so that there is about 6 inches between fruit. In so doing, enough leaves will be present to supply the manufactured sugars for the fruit's development to maximum size and sweetness. First, do some general thinning by sharply striking branches with a section of rubber garden hose. This will cause some fruit to drop. Next, thin the remaining fruit by hand picking the marble-sized fruit to the recommended 6 inch spacing. Then, continue to water and watch the fruit grow! - Updated: March, 2002

3. Plant Warm Season Vegetables - Top: Plant warm season vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, egg plant, cucumber, summer squash, melon, and sweet corn. Getting an early start to spring gardening is important here in the desert. An early start means vegetables will be ready prior to the withering heat of June. Transplants (young plants) of tomato, pepper, and egg plant can be purchased at local garden centers for planting out in the garden. Seeds of cucumber, summer squash, melon, and sweet corn can also be purchased from local seed and garden stores and planted directly into the garden. - Updated: March, 2002

4. Prune frost-damaged plants - Top: Prune frost-damaged plants such as bougainvillea and lantana. Check the stems for signs of life. With a sharp knife, peal back some of the bark on the outer stems. If there is green sapwood underneath, do not prune these stems as new growth will soon appear. If, on the other hand, the wood beneath the bark is dry and brown, prune back to live wood.
- Updated: March, 2002

5. Prevent Spider Mite Damage - Top: Prevent spider mite damage on evergreens such as Italian cypress, juniper and pyracantha by spraying plants with a strong jet of water from the garden hose. The strong force of water will wash off many of the mites and prevent the typical browning injury caused by these tiny sucking insects. Check for spider mites by placing a white sheet of paper under yellowing or browning needles or leaves. Tap sharply on the branches. Dislodged mites will appear on the paper as dust-like particles moving about. Continue water sprays periodically through June. Soap sprays can also be applied to control mites. Mix two tablespoons of liquid dish washing detergent in a gallon of water. Apply two sprays to infested plants spaced 7 days apart. Repeat later this spring if needed. - Updated: March, 2002

6. Seasonal Leaf Drop - Top: Seasonal leaf drop is occurring on pine, live oak, African sumac, mesquite and other trees. This is when the old growth drops off to make room for the spring growth flush. Trees, even of the same species will lose their leaves at different times over the next month. Don't be alarmed, this is a natural occurrence and does not indicate a problem. - Updated: March, 2002

7. Plant trees and shrubs - Top: Plant trees and shrubs of all types including citrus. March is the best time to plant new landscape plants. Warm soils and mild temperatures enable plants to establish themselves before the hot weather sets in. Dig the planting hole no deeper than the root ball of the plant you are planting. The root ball should set on undisturbed soil to prevent settling. Make sure the top of the root ball is set flush or slightly above the surrounding grade. Dig the hole about twice as wide as the root ball. Remove any large rocks, but fill the planting hole with the same soil that was removed. Do not mix mulch, topsoil, peat moss, or other amendments to the soil for backfill. These soil amendments will inhibit the development of new roots. Finally, keep newly planted trees and shrubs watered on a daily basis for the first two or three weeks. Then gradually increase the intervals between watering. - Updated: March, 2002

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