Gardening Jobs for March

We have had the most beautiful end to February. Here in the Pacific Northwest, we call it fool’s Spring. The temps have made it up to the mid 60’s, the sun has been shining, and while it won’t last, I have been making the most of the beautiful weather!

The beginning of March for me is the turning point for my gardening year. The real Spring is well and truly on it’s way and I am in the midst of seed starting and caring for my little sprouts that will soon be going into the ground! There is a lot to be done in March but just take it one task and one day and a time and we’ll all be fine! Happy gardening!

Gardening Jobs for March

Get sowing!

I’ve been starting a few seeds in February, but March is when it really ramps up! I have gotten all of my tomatoes and peppers started, but there is so much more to do this month! The nice thing about March here in Zone 8b is that cool-weather crops can be directly sown outdoors! I’ve already got some carrots and radish seeds in the ground, but I’m planning on getting some more greens in the ground and some flowers at the end of the month! So, what are you waiting for? Get sowing!

Prepare your beds for growing

Since we’re starting to plant outdoors, March is the perfect month to get your beds prepared for planting. I like to start by making sure any weeds that are around are picked out and then I get any amendments added and top everything off with some good quality compost! Try not to step on top of the soil in your beds as that can make it compact which isn’t great if you want to grow root vegetables. The looser the soil, the better for roots to grow and thrive!

Keep up with weeding and patrolling for pests

March is the month when I like to start getting everything weeded really well and cleaned up. I like to spend time on nights and weekends tackling different growing areas of my yard. This keeps the task small and less daunting. I’m also patrolling for pests starting this month. I’ve got some cool weather crops that have been growing since late Summer that are favorite snacks of slugs, so I keep any leaves off the ground and use any natural pest control I deem necessary to keep them at bay.

Monitor and tend your indoor seedlings

There is going to be a large influx of indoor seedlings this month and it is important to take care of them. Make sure they are well watered but not too heavily. Make sure the surface of the soil doesn’t get completely dried out. I also like to set up a fan to mimic the “wind”; this helps make the sprouts stronger and more resilient when they are ready to go outside. Watch for little gnat pests as well!

Start your garden journal

I love my garden journal. It is something I’ve started within the last few years, and it’s a great place to write notes about the weather, what varieties you’re growing, things that worked and things that didn’t work. All of that information can help you the next growing season. I have added my seed starting tracker to mine along with my gardening goals for 2025. I have a spot for my transplanting tracker and what garden projects I would like to get accomplished this year. It’s a really great tool.

You also don’t need a fancy notebook to set one up. A notepad or binder with lined paper will work just fine! Mine is an old bullet journal that I picked up from Archer & Olive.

Plant Summer flowering bulbs

March is a great time to get your Summer flowering bulbs planted. Make sure they are planted in well-drained soil in a nice sunny spot for beautiful colorful displays later on this year! Summer flowering bulbs include lilies, hostas, dahlias, daylilies, gladiolus, and peonies!