Donald Pell Gardens

Early:

March is a good time to begin preparing beds as soon at the soil can be worked and to plant ornamental and fruit trees, shrubs and roses.
The time to be alert for pest on your trees and shrubs. Dormant oils smother the scale insects, mites and the eggs of other sucking insects. Spray the oil when temperature is over 40 degrees F. and rain is not expected for at least 24 hours.

Mid:

Fertilize perennials and bulbs. Use a balanced fertilizer or one with high percentage of phosphorus for it promotes strong root growth.
Dig and divide perennials (except for the earliest bloomers…this should be done in the fall.) before their new growth is 4” tall. Uncover and fertilize established Roses and prune back and dead or old canes to encourage new growth.
Landscape plants are still dormant…now is the time to move them so they have time to reestablish before the heat sets in.
Prune summer-flowering shrubs by removing the oldest non-productive branches to the ground.
Prune vines that grow on new growth like Clematis jackmanii. This will promote vigorous new growth.
Get rid of pests! Remove and garden debris.

Late:

Spring flowering shrubs such as Lilac and Forsythia should be pruned after they bloom. Remove about half of the old thick branches, cutting them to the ground. The newer, younger growth produces better flowers.
Start spring lawn care: Re-seed bare spots, aerate over seed and fertilize.