Horticulture Report, March 2024

By Rosie Davidson

March signals the start of spring, the clocks will be changing soon and the temperature is warming up. You can begin planting warm season vegetables now. Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, peas, shallots and several others. Annuals can also be added to the garden like coreopsis; black eyed Susans which are native to florida and petunias.

Prune deciduous trees and shrubs. Hydrangeas can be cleaned up and pruned carefully, there should be new growth at this time of year. Prune your roses, remove the winter mulch and refresh with new mulch. Cut back the ornamental grasses. Clean out your pots and replant. This is a great time of year for cleaning out your garden, refreshing and planting anew. Fertilize your plants, Espoma is an organic fertilizer which can be used for all your needs. Clean your garden tools and sharpen those pruners. Amend your soil where needed. UF extension online is an excellent source for planting guides in this zone. Have fun in your garden and enjoy all the new growth now spring is here.