Mid Atlantic : March to-do list

​March is a fickle time of year in the Mid-Atlantic region. It can bring real spring weather or it can stay cold for much of the month.

Prune on mild days. Remove any winter-damaged stems, and prune summer- and fall-flowering shrubs, such as repeat-blooming roses and smooth hydrangea. 

Cut down any remaining dead top growth in beds and borders, and trim off winter-damaged leaves on hellebores  and other evergreen perennials.

Plant up a few containers with pansies, primroses, potted bulbs, and other early bloomers for spring color.

Apply corn gluten meal (Organic)  for pre-emergent weed control when forsythia (Forsythia spp. and cvs., Zones 4-9) starts to bloom.

Indoors, sow seeds of cool-season crops such as chard, lettuce, and kale, and warm-season crops such as tomatoes and peppers. Outdoors, you should be able to plant peas, potatoes, and onion sets toward the end of the month.

Source: Fine Gardening