March Garden Calendar

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Checklist

Prune shrubs and trees, saving small limbs to use later for propping up floppy garden plants.
Cut the tops of ornamental grasses back to the ground in Zones 5 and 6. (In Zones 2 through 4, postpone the job until early April.) To skip tedious raking, tie the tops of each plant together with twine before you cut, then by hand remove the bundled grasses.
Prepare trellises and other garden structures for spring by repairing any damage. In Zones 5 and 6 (and elsewhere if the frost is out of the ground), reset wobbly bricks or stones in paths.
When the snow melts from the lawn, rake any dead spots damaged by snow mold. Flush with water any garden spots near sidewalks, driveways, or streets to help wash away de-icing salts.
If you plan to use straw for mulch, buy straw bales now. Leave them outside so any seeds will sprout and die before you spread the straw in your garden.
Don't panic yet if your evergreens are discolored. Wait until May to see if new growth covers damaged needles.
As the soil begins to thaw in Zones 2 through 4, check perennials to see if frost has heaved them out of the ground. If you find any plants with their roots or crowns exposed, push them gently back into place with your foot.
Top off mulch with a fresh layer to stop over-wintering fungus diseases from spreading to new growth.
In Zones 4 through 6, prune fall-bearing 'Heritage' raspberries back to the ground. (For summer-bearing varieties, remove only the old discolored canes now.)
Prune bigleaf hydrangeas such as 'Nikko Blue,' hardy in Zone 6 and in protected areas of Zone 5, by removing a few of the oldest stems at ground level. In Zones 4 through 6, prune 'PeeGee,' 'Annabelle,' and other panicle and smooth hydrangeas back by half.