ACL Letter #20 - March Seasonal check-in
March Seasonal Update
March is here and the days are beginning to stretch out, trees and flowers are blooming, and our yards are starting to green up. It’s an exciting time for gardening enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys leaving winter behind. I went to the hardware store this past week and noticed the gardening section abuzz with people buying plants and potting soil. At first I felt a bit of FOMO, but then I remembered that we have a little ways to go before we are out from under old man winter’s reach. Let’s take a closer look.
Frost Date:
Do you know what your last frost date is for the spring? Your spring frost date is dependent on your USDA Hardiness Zone. Find your zone here. For most gardeners in the south, your frost date will be between late March and early May. We live in north Alabama, zone 7b and I roll with a last frost date of April 15th. These dates are calculated based on previous data that shows a less than 10% chance there will be a frost in your region after your last frost date.
Monthly To-Dos
If you have been raising seedlings for an early spring planting, you will want to begin hardening these plants off. Give them some exposure to the elements outside, incrementally lengthening their exposure and after about a week, they should be good to plant in your garden.
You can direct seed carrots, swiss chard, peas, collards, kale, leaf lettuce, parsnips, beets, radishes, and Is into your garden now!
If you plan on planting strawberries or asparagus, now is the time to do that as well.
If you want to start peppers, tomatoes, or other frost sensitive plants by seed to get a head start, do that now.
Wait to plant any tomatoes, peppers, or other frost sensitive plants (like basil) until after your frost date or a few days before if the weather looks clear.
Timely Tips
Avoid working in your garden if the soil is really wet or muddy. Let it dry out some before digging or working it to heavily. This will help avoid compaction and further soil issues down the road.
Also, please don't till. If you are addicted to tilling, please reach out and I will discuss recovery program options for you :)
Seasonal Activities
I have a friend who lives near Auburn, AL (zone 8a) send me a picture of this Morel on March 1st. Have you ever hunted for Morels? If you live in zone 8, now is the time to be looking. You should have a couple weeks of good hunting. The last week of March is usually the time they begin to appear here in north Alabama (zone 7)
March is perhaps the busiest time of the year for seasonal firsts. Since March 1 I have noticed the first dogwood blossom and the first redbud blossoming. I'm still waiting on my first bite from a local strawberry. Be on the lookout for seasonal and calendar firsts!
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