March to-do list in the garden
Here's the March to-do list for gardeners:
Start your own seeds. This gives you the flexibility to choose the varieties of vegetables and herbs you would like to grow, as opposed to just what's available at your local nursery. You can directly sow peas, corn, beans and squash into the garden. It is best to start tomatoes, eggplants and peppers indoors and then transplant seedlings when they are developed and sturdy.
Pull weeds now while they are small and before they have gone to seed. It's also easier to remove the entire root by hoeing or hand-pulling while the soil is moist.
Control slugs and snails by removing their hiding places (damp leaf piles, under boards, dense plants that touch the ground). Then hand-pick them early in the day or late in the evening. You can provide them a "one way" watering hole by filling small containers with beer, or apply an iron phosphate product. Baits that contain metaldehyde are unsafe for children and pets.
Treat your trees. If your fruit trees have been affected by fire blight or peach leaf curl, check the Master Gardeners' website, www.mastergardeners.org, for solutions.
Remove aphids from infected trees and shrubs with a strong water blast from the hose. Ladybird beetles (ladybugs) do an excellent job of controlling aphid populations. Plant white alyssum to invite ladybugs into your garden.
Clean up fallen leaves and debris, and add them to your compost pile if they are not diseased.
What to plant now
Bare root: artichokes, asparagus, berries, onions and roses, plus fruit trees such as apple, apricot, cherry, fig, nectarine and pear.
Transplants: arugula, beets, broccoli, cauliflower, chard, mustard greens, Asian greens, lettuce, peas, and spinach.
Seeds: beets, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, chard, corn, fava beans, garlic, mustard greens, Asian greens, lettuce, peas, radishes, spinach, squash and tomatoes.
Have a question for the Santa Clara County Master Gardeners? Call the hotline, 408-282-3105, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on weekdays or check www.mastergardeners.org.