In March, the sun and often mild temperatures lure us outside. Garden enthusiasts have been itching to get started for weeks. Finally, they can dig in the soil and enjoy the colorful blooms. However, there are also gardening tasks that should be postponed in March. myHOMEBOOK gardening expert Franka Kruse-Gering explains which tasks she avoids in March.
For some tasks, March is not the right time
Even though garden lovers are eager and itching to start, we should learn to be patient. If we did everything we wanted in the garden now, we might cause more harm than good.
Related: Gardening tasks that can be deducted from taxes
1. Seeding or scarifying the lawn
Mowing the lawn in March is not a problem, as Dr. Harald Nonn from the German Lawn Society emphasized in earlier interviews with myHOMEBOOK: “As soon as there is something to mow.” However, it’s better to hold off on seeding or scarifying, as there are plenty of other things to do in the garden.
Seeding or scarifying is not on my list yet. It’s simply too cold for seeding. Yes, we get daytime temperatures of 50–64 degrees Fahrenheit, but at night it’s still so chilly in some areas that you have to scrape ice off your car windows in the morning. Certain temperatures are needed at night for the grass to grow well.
Scarifying is strenuous for me and brings little joy, so I postpone it as long as possible. Some years, I don’t do it at all. A good excuse is that it simply isn’t part of the March gardening tasks yet.
There must be a certain amount of grass growth for the holes created by scarifying to close quickly. And as mentioned with seeding, it’s just too chilly for optimal growth.
2. Ornamental grasses are often still inhabited in March
Ornamental grasses require a delicate touch. If you cut them too late, new shoots won’t grow properly because they lack space. If you cut them too early, you remove the insects’ resting or hatching places. Over the winter, they often nest in the hollow stems of the grasses. Many sources recommend cutting in early spring without considering the insects. I prefer to cut in April, which is a good compromise for me. The insects can still use the time, and delaying a month doesn’t harm the shoots much. Biologist Dr. Saskia Schneider from PETBOOK also confirms that it’s better to wait until it’s warm enough and all insects have hatched or awakened.
3. Do not plant frost-sensitive plants yet
In March, it’s still too early to plant many frost-sensitive plants like dahlias, geraniums, and tomatoes outdoors, as temperatures often fluctuate greatly and night frost can still occur. The particularly problematic cold and often very wet soil can hinder growth or even lead to rot. While dahlia tubers can rot in cold soil, geraniums and tomatoes are also extremely sensitive to cold and can quickly suffer damage. Young shoots are particularly vulnerable and can die from even light frost, so it’s better to wait before planting them.
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