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Ken Lain, the Mountain Gardener, reflects on the subtle but powerful shift that arrives with the March equinox, as longer days and warming soil signal the return of the gardening season in Prescott’s high country. He describes this period as a time of renewal, when landscapes begin to stir, and early signs of color emerge. Highlighting a mix of hardy spring plants and standout local favorites like the Prescott Redbud, Ken points to simple ways gardeners can bring life back into their yards despite lingering cold snaps. He also touches on the often overlooked elements that play a critical role beneath the surface, offering insight into what helps plants truly thrive. With a blend of seasonal perspective and practical ideas, the piece encourages readers to step outside, take a fresh look at their space, and make the most of spring’s brief but inspiring arrival.
There is a specific kind of magic that happens right around March 21. The equinox arrives, the sun hangs just a bit longer in the Prescott sky, and the soil starts to lose that winter chill. You can almost hear the earth taking a deep breath, ready to exhale a season of green. For us gardeners, this isn’t just a change in the calendar; it is a homecoming.
I’ve always said that gardening is the slowest of the performing arts, but by late March, the tempo starts to pick up. The joy of gardening doesn’t just come from the finished bouquet or the summer harvest; it comes from that first morning you step outside and realize your Forsythia has exploded into a wall of gold, signaling that spring is officially here.
Forsythia
The Foundation of a Joyful Garden
To keep that joy alive all season, you have to plant with a plan. In our unique mountain climate, March is the month of “The Great Awakening.” It’s time to look at the bones of your garden—the trees and shrubs that provide the structure.
Redbud
If you want a plant that defines the joy of spring, look no further than the Prescott Redbud. These local favorites produce stunning magenta blooms that cling directly to the bark before the heart-shaped leaves even emerge. They are tough, drought-tolerant, and they tell the neighborhood that winter is truly over.
Best Plants for Early Spring Color
Many folks ask me, “Ken, what can I put in the ground right now that won’t mind a sudden late-season frost?” The answer is more straightforward than you think.
Pansies and Violas: These are the workhorses of the March garden. They are “cool-season” royalty. If we get a dusting of snow, they might tuck their heads down, but as soon as the sun hits them, they pop right back up.
Creeping Phlox: If you have a rock wall or a slope that looks a bit drab, plant some Phlox. It creates a carpet of color—pinks, purples, and whites—that smothers weeds and smells like pure springtime.
Creeping Phlox
English Primrose: These love the dappled shade under our tall pines and provide a saturated, neon-bright color that few other plants can match this early in the year.
English Primrose
The Secret to Success: Soil and Soul
I often see gardeners rushing to the center to buy the prettiest blooms, only to stick them in “native” soil that’s as hard as a brick. If you want joy, you have to give those roots a home. When planting this month, always use Watters Premium Mulch. Our mountain soil is notoriously alkaline and lacking in organic matter. By mixing your native dirt with this high-quality amendment at a 50/50 ratio, you’re giving your plants the drainage and nutrients they crave.
Don’t forget the 7-4-4 All Purpose Food. March is when plants are waking up hungry. A full application now ensures they have the energy to push out those first critical leaves and buds. Feed the entire landscape this month.
Creating a Sanctuary
Gardening is a journey of discovery. This week, I want you to walk your yard with a cup of coffee. Look for the “dead spots” where nothing seems to happen. That’s the perfect place for a Lilac. Specifically, the Miss Kim Lilac or the Ludwig Spaeth thrives in our high altitude. The scent of a Lilac on a crisp March morning is enough to remind anyone why we dig in the dirt in the first place.
As your neighbor over the fence, my best advice is this: don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. Spring is a fleeting season, and the work we do now—the pruning, the feeding, and the planting—is what paves the way for a summer of beauty. When you plant a tree or a shrub today, you aren’t just adding a decoration to your yard; you’re planting a legacy of shade, color, and joy for years to come.
Stop by the garden center this week. Let’s talk about your soil, your sunlight, and which plants will make your heart sing this spring.
Free Gardening Classes Every Saturday @ 9:30 am
Join us for these upcoming topics:
March 21: The Joyful Gardener and the Best Plants in the Gardens
March 28: Blooming Secrets of Spring Peony in the Gardens
April 4: Celebration of Spring’s Sweetest Lilac Fragrance
Until next week, I’ll be helping happy gardeners plant joyful plants here at Watters Garden Center.
Ken Lain can be found throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 Iron Springs Rd in Prescott, or contacted through his websites at WattersGardenCenter.com or Top10Plants.com.
Get more gardening tips from Watters Garden Center in the Mountain Gardener Column on Signals A Z.com.
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