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March Gardening Tips
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Plant

For instant color, plant Bloomingdale ranunculus, Iceland poppies, primrose, pansy and nemesia. Also, delphinium, and foxglove can be planted for later blossoms. As weather warms toward the end of the month, plant summer color: Surfinia petunias, Proven Winner' Laguna lobelia, alyssum, impatiens and wax begonia.
Plant perennials: armeria, campanula, columbine, coral bells, coreopsis, daylilies, Gerbera daisies, geum, lavender, penstemon, Shasta daisy, yarrow and veronica.
Plant summer vegetables - artichokes, carrots, radishes, lettuce and tomatoes - toward the end of the month. Don't waste your time with peppers, squash and melons; it's still too early. Work organic amendments into the soil prior to planting. Worm Gold Plus would be an excellent addition.
Plant citrus and avocado. For smaller yards, try one of the dwarf avocados like Littlecado, Gwen, Whitsell or Holiday. For true dwarf citrus, only those grown on "Flying Dragon" rootstock will stay small. Other dwarf citrus is actually semi-dwarf, only one-third smaller than the standard.
Plant flowering shrubs like Indian hawthorne, lilacs and viburnum. This is the middle of azalea season; many varieties will be in full bloom. Plant with an acid planting mix.

Feed & Fertilize

Use a product that contains humic acids on the entire yard. Humics are the catalysts that revitalize dead soils. If you have heavy clay soil, an application of Organa will make them loose and porous overnight.
Fertilize stone fruits after the fruits develop to half an inch in size. Organic-type foods like Dr. Earth Citrus or Fruit Tree Food will offer even feeding and are available as the tree requires.
Fertilize roses.
As azaleas and camellias begin growing, fertilize with cotton seed meal and top-dress with Worn Gold Plus.
Feed hydrangeas with cottonseed meal to turn them blue.

Prune/Trim/Clean

Cut back hanging fuchsias to the edges of their containers and lightly prune those in the ground. As new growth emerges, pinch it to promote greater branching structure.
Begin pruning hibiscus. Plants older than five years can be pruned a little each month from now through August. First feeding should be done with Whitney Farms Palm and Hibiscus Food.
Deadhead your annual and perennial flowers by removing spent blooms. This encourages more blossoms.
Deadhead bulbs once they complete their bloom cycle. Do not remove foliage. It should wither on its own in order for the carbohydrates to go back into the bulb for storage until next year.

Miscellaneous

Visit the famous Flower Fields in Carlsbad. They will be in peak bloom. In addition to the ranunculus, you can visit the Rose Walk of Fame.