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March Tips & Events for Santa Clara County
"No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn." Hal Borland
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Save the date! Spring Garden Market April 8, 2017
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Our 28th annual Spring Garden Market will be held on Saturday, April 8 at History Park in San Jose from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. This is our premier plant sale, sustainable gardening showcase, and vendor fair. We grow varieties not readily available elsewhere, selected for outstanding taste, beauty, and performance in our soil and climate. More information
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Pruning After Last Frost
The average last frost date in Santa Clara County is March 15. If the forecast looks good as of that date, it's probably safe to prune frost damage. Congratulations if you were patient with tolerating dead leaves and branches—you can now prune back to where you see new growth or live green wood. Once you remove the damaged growth, you can do your normal pruning for shape and production.
More info: Recognizing and Caring for Frost Damaged Plants.
Photo: frost damage on Lily of the Nile (agapanthus)
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Fertilizing Shrubs
Most shrubs in your garden can be fertilized now. For azaleas and rhododendrons, wait until they have finished blooming. Follow the fertilizer package instructions; too much fertilizer can lead to "burnt" foliage, more pests attracted to the tender new growth, or extra need for water. Ornamental plants that are well established and have lots of organic matter around them in the form of compost or mulch, or that are native to California, may not need fertilizer at all. UC offers some guidelines in the link below.
More info: Fertilizing and Watering Landscape Plants
Illustration: UC Davis Good Life Garden Blog
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Plant Bulbs Now for Color Later
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Summer and fall-blooming bulbs and tubers can be planted now. These include begonia, canna, dahlia, gladiolus, and more. For bulbs, make selections that are firm and heavy for their size. Plant them with the pointy side up and the root scar side down, in well-drained soil. Plant them to a depth about three times the size of the bulb. UC provides a year-round planting guide for flowering bulbs and basic care instructions.
More info: Basic Bulb Care
Illustration: Understanding Bulbs, Butte County Master Gardeners Blog
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Careful With Wet Soil
Most of the soil in our area is wetter than it's been in many years. And most of our soil is clay so it can easily be compacted. Those air spaces in the soil are important for the roots and for beneficial organisms that live in the soil. Try to avoid walking on, digging, or rototilling saturated soil.
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Peas
Traditional wisdom calls for planting peas on St. Patrick's Day (March 17). While other parts of the country may require a later planting, we can be green on that day in California! Peas do well in the spring and fall when the weather is a little cooler. Soaking the seeds overnight to soften them helps germination but it's not necessary. You can plant them directly in the garden, about three-quarters of an inch deep. They grow as a vine so give them a trellis or other support. For spring planting, choose varieties resistant to powdery mildew.
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Visit or subscribe to our blog for longer articles on seasonal topics
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Tue, Mar 07, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Spring and Summer Fruit Tree Care
, Gilroy Library, 350 W. Sixth St.,
Gilroy
Fri, Mar 10, 1:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m., Beginning Vegetable Gardening, Avenidas, 450 Bryant St., Palo Alto
Wed, Mar 15, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m., From Seed to Plant
, Calabazas Branch Library, 1230 N. Blaney Ave.,
San Jose
Wed, Mar 29, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Gardening in Containers
, Los Altos Public Library, 13 S. San Antonio Rd.,
Los Altos
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Have a gardening question? Contact our Hotline (for Santa Clara County residents). Start by reviewing our plant problem diagnosis tips.
The University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Santa Clara County Master Gardener Program volunteers are trained under the auspices of the UCCE. Our mission is to promote sustainable gardening practices by providing up-to-date, research-based horticultural information to home gardeners.
The University of California prohibits discrimination or harassment of any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy (including childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth(, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or status as a covered veteran (covered veterans are special disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, Vietnam era veterans, or any other veterans who served on active duty during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized) in any of its programs or activities.
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