Spring Prep Starts Now: Essential March Tasks for a Healthy Lawn and Garden

While it may still be too early for digging or planting outdoors, there’s plenty you can do now to set yourself up for a successful growing season. Early March is the perfect time to start planning what plants you want to include this year, how you will prepare the soil, and when and how you will install your new plants to give them the best chance to thrive.

Plan Ahead for Plants

Do a little research before garden centers fill up with tempting impulse buys. Take time to think about what your garden actually needs.

Did certain plants struggle in shady areas last year? Look for varieties that thrive in shade. Do you have a dry area that’s hard to keep watered? Consider drought-tolerant plants.

Shopping with a list or at least a few well-researched options can save you time and money. Even better, it increases the chances that the plants you choose will succeed in your landscape.

Tidy Up

Early spring is a great time to clean up leftover debris from winter. Cut back ornamental grasses and perennials that were left standing for winter interest.

You should also prune broken branches or remove any dead wood from shrubs and small trees to keep them healthy and looking their best.

Short on time? Sweeney’s Custom Landscaping offers spring cleanup services to help get your landscape ready for the growing season without the stress.

Adjust Perennials 

If you notice any perennials lifting slightly out of the soil, you may be seeing a condition called frost heave. This happens when repeated freezing and thawing pushes plants upward.

If this occurs, gently press the plant back into the soil and firm the surrounding soil around the roots.

Prepare for Weeds 

Unfortunately, weeds are often some of the first plants to start growing in spring. The sooner you deal with them, the easier they are to manage.

When you see young weeds appear, pull them right away before they have a chance to establish deep roots. While there’s no way to completely eliminate weeds, starting early and staying consistent can help keep them under control.

Sow Seeds for Vegetables

March is the perfect time to start seeds for warm-season vegetables like tomatoes and peppers indoors under grow lights. This gives them a head start, so they’re strong and ready to plant outside in late May.

You can also start preparing your raised beds by spreading compost and gently working it into the top inch of soil. In early April, you’ll be able to sow seeds for some cold-tolerant vegetables as well.

Think about Watering

Now is a great time to plan how you will water your garden this season. Consider using soaker hoses or drip irrigation to deliver water slowly and efficiently to plant roots.

You can also group drought-tolerant plants together in the hottest and driest areas of your garden. This reduces watering needs and makes maintaining your landscape much easier.

Give Your Lawn a Spring Checkup

Your lawn is also beginning to wake up from winter. Early March is a good time to check for snow mold, salt damage near sidewalks, or areas where the lawn may have thinned over the winter.

Remove any leftover debris, such as branches or matted leaves, so sunlight and air can reach the grass. Avoid heavy foot traffic on soggy lawns, which can compact the soil and damage emerging grass.

Taking a few minutes now to assess your lawn will help it green up faster and stay healthier throughout the season.

Getting Ready for a Great Growing Season

A little preparation in early spring can make a big difference in how your lawn and garden perform throughout the year. By planning ahead, cleaning up winter debris, managing weeds early, and checking on your lawn, you’re setting the stage for a healthy and beautiful landscape.

And if your spring to-do list feels a little overwhelming, Sweeney’s Custom Landscaping is here to help. From spring cleanups to landscape planning, we can help get your yard ready for the growing season so you can spend more time enjoying it.

👉 Contact us today for a free consultation, and let’s design a landscape you’ll love in every season.