March... Planting, Pruning & Planning Ahead

March is the kick-off month for planting! By starting now with seeds, starter-size plants and bareroot roses, you'll create a beautiful garden for a lot less money. Check out these tips, then visit your Fred Meyer Garden Center for everything you need.

What to plant?

• Pansies and primroses – Hardy in most cool, moist climates, these flowers add instant color early in spring.
• Bareroot (dormant) roses – Much of the Northwest is ideal for growing roses, and now is the perfect time to plant bareroots. These varieties are less expensive than container roses you'll find later in the spring, and they're also easier to transplant. The prolific-blooming Knock Out is a widely popular shrub rose that's extremely easy to keep healthy. For planting tips, check out our 3-Step-No-Fail-Way to Plant Bareroots
• Hardy trees, shrubs and ground covers – Make sure your selections are in containers or ball-and-burlap if you're planting from late March on through summer.
• Perennials – Get the most for your money by planting many perennials now, available in starter size 4" pots or mini flats, which are far less costly than the larger perennials available later. To find out which varieties to try in your area, check out our Perennial Guide for Northwest Gardens .
• Fruit trees and berries – It's time to start your edible garden!
• Select vegetables
  • Early March: peas, asparagus, rhubarb, horseradish, artichokes
  • Mid/late March: brussels sprouts, eggplant, celery, leeks, onions, early potatoes and radishes
  • Late March: spinach, chard, cabbage, cauliflower and other hardy vegetables

	Indoor Tasks Start your seeds! March is a great time to start seeds indoors, especially blooming annuals like marigolds, nasturtium and zinnias. All you need is a flat, seeds and good soil, or get everything you need in a seed-starting kit. Check out these Simple Tips for Seed-Starting Success. Repot indoor plants – Warmer temps and brighter sunlight will wake up your houseplants, making it an ideal time to repot and fertilize. Rustic or fancy, large or small, you'll find the planter you need at Fred Meyer.
	Outdoor Tasks Test soil and fertilize as needed – Your existing bedding plants, trees, ground covers, shrubs and vines generally need fertilizing in March. If extreme cold has caused unusual damage, wait for new growth before fertilizing. Prune – The best time to prune is while plants are dormant, which generally means late winter or early spring. Check out our Spring Pruning Tips Keep your hands safe in cool, wet weather – Cold fingers get clumsy, which can make handling sharp tools dangerous. Stay comfortable with a good pair of sturdy gloves. Get your mower running – Once the grass starts to grow, you'll want your lawn mower ready to go. Repair shops get busy during spring, so it’s best to plan ahead. Or click into simple maintenance you can do yourself. Here's to a March full of gardening joy!

While much of the information in these tips is applicable in several gardening zones/climates, some of the plants and timing suggested are best suited to the Northwest, generally in the mild/wet growing regions found along the I-5 corridor. You should make appropriate adjustments or consult local gardening experts in regions whose climates differ from this area of the Northwest.