The fickle weather of March makes it impossible to set dates for planting, as continual climate changes put pay to any schedules so proceed with caution!

March is the month when many of the beautiful spring flowering perennials begin to flower. Aubrietia, Candytuft, Bergenia, Snowdrops, Witch-hazel and many others will be brightening your days. With Spring on the door step, you need to get your garden ready.

SHRUB and TREES

• In most areas it is still possible to do dormant spraying of fruit trees until the 15th, after that date dilute the spray by 1/2. Spraying should be done on a still day with the temperature above 40 degrees F.
  
• Late March and early April is a good time to transplant shrubs and trees. As soon as the soil is workable, but before buds have swelled or broken open, you can move shrubs and trees.
  
• Fertilize shrubs and trees if this wasn't done in February. Use an acid type rhododendron fertilizer to feed evergreens, conifers, broad leaf evergreens, rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias. Use an all-purpose fertilizer to feed roses and other deciduous trees and shrubs. If you use granular type fertilizers, be sure to water it in thoroughly.
  
• Finish pruning fruit trees this month - before the buds swell.