Mid-March Check-In: Stay on Track for a Bountiful Growing Season

As we move into the second week of March, it’s time to revisit your garden and growing plans to ensure you’re on track for a productive season ahead. Whether you've already started your seeds or are preparing to plant outdoors, now is the perfect moment to assess your progress and fine-tune your strategy for the coming weeks.

Here’s a quick rundown of key tasks to focus on this week to keep your garden flourishing!

1. Transplant Seedlings Indoors

By now, many of your seedlings may be ready to move out of their trays and into larger pots to continue growing indoors. If you started your seeds early, it’s time to repot them into bigger containers, ensuring they have enough room to develop strong root systems. Use high-quality potting soil and ensure your seedlings are getting plenty of light and water to encourage healthy growth.

At [Your Company Name], we have the perfect pots, trays, and soil amendments to make this step a breeze. Make sure your seedlings are comfortable and primed for the next phase of their development.

2. Start Planting Outdoors (For Early Crops)

The weather may still be unpredictable, but some cold-hardy crops like peas, spinach, kale, and radishes can be directly sown outdoors in March. Be sure to check your local frost dates and make sure the ground is workable before you plant. If the soil is still too cold or wet, you may want to hold off on planting, as it can lead to poor germination or root rot.

Use frost protection measures like row covers or cloches if necessary, and keep an eye on overnight temperatures.

3. Give Your Garden Beds Some TLC

As temperatures warm up, continue to work on garden bed preparation. You’ve likely already cleaned up your beds and tested your soil, but don’t forget to keep adding compost or organic matter to enrich the soil further. Additionally, consider mulching your garden beds to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Organic mulch options like straw or wood chips are perfect for this task.

If you haven't already, this is also the time to take care of any raised garden beds by replenishing the soil and ensuring they’re in good condition for planting.

4. Check for Early Pest Activity

March might still feel like winter, but pests like aphids, slugs, and flea beetles can start to become active as the weather warms up. Keep an eye on your plants, especially young seedlings, for signs of pest damage. If you notice any early invaders, now is the time to start treating your plants before the pest population explodes.

Consider using organic pest control options like diatomaceous earth, insecticidal soap, or neem oil to manage pests without harming the environment.

5. Prepare for the Big Planting Days

While some crops can go in early, others—like tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers—will need to wait until the weather is consistently warmer. Start preparing for these upcoming planting days by mapping out your garden layout. It’s also a good idea to refresh your gardening tools to ensure you’re ready for transplanting and larger tasks in the coming weeks.

Check if your garden supplies are in good condition, and don’t forget to stock up on items like fertilizers, garden tools, and trellising equipment.

6. Consider Irrigation Setup

By mid-March, the weather may be warming up, which means your plants will soon need consistent water. Check your irrigation systems, hoses, and sprinklers to make sure everything is functioning properly. If you don’t already have an irrigation plan in place, consider setting up a drip system or installing soaker hoses to efficiently water your garden.

Water conservation is key, and having an irrigation plan ensures that your plants will get the moisture they need without waste.

7. Keep Up With Pruning & Maintenance

Pruning isn’t just for trees—perennials, shrubs, and even some fruit bushes benefit from regular trimming in early spring. As your plants start to wake up, check for any dead or damaged branches and trim them back to promote healthy growth. This will help prevent disease and allow your plants to thrive.

Conclusion

The second week of March is a critical time for preparing your garden for success. Whether you’re transplanting seedlings, planting early crops, or setting up your irrigation system, taking proactive steps now will help you stay ahead of the growing season.