Timely Tips for March
Avoid planting the same vegetables and annuals in the same place year after year. This practice allows disease and pest populations to increase. Instead, switch them into different areas of the garden each year, or avoid growing a particular crop for one year.
Video DemonstrationRainfall:Temperature (degrees F):
Average Low: 48.8 degrees
Highest Low: 74 degrees (1986)
Record Low: 25 degrees (1966)
Avoid over watering and mowing when grass is wet to prevent the spread of fungal problems in winter lawns.
Winter lawns may require once to twice per week watering depending on the weather. DO NOT OVER WATER!
Prepare garden soil for Spring planting.
Plant Seeds
Plant Transplants
Continue fertilizing established roses with granular fertilizers once every 6 weeks. Remember to water the day before application and the day after. Apply 1/4 to 1/2 cup of Epsom salts.
Fertilize deciduous fruit trees with nitrogen when they leaf out.
Thin deciduous fruit to 6 inch spacing. The earlier this is done after fruit set, the more size response will be expected in fruit remaining on the tree.
Prune frost sensitive citrus until mid March, after they begin to leaf out with new spring growth. Wait until all chance of frost has past but allow time for re-growth to shade exposed bark, protecting it from sun scald as the days get longer and hotter.
Plant Citrus Trees - Young two to five year old trees transplant most successfully. Larger, older trees are more costly, harder to transplant without injury (to yourself and the tree), and suffer more from transplant shock. It will generally be three years after transplant before fruit production and that is the same whether you plant a 2 year old tree or a 10 year old tree. Go small!
Water
at least once a month unless rains provide adequate moisture.
Control
weeds while they are young, tender, and their roots are manageable, or before
they sprout. Be sure to remove before they set seed. Remove London Rocket
and other weeds in the mustard family now to prevent large populations of
False Chinch bugs in April. pre-emergent herbicides containing Pendimethalin
or Isoxaben can be used to control prostrate Spurge and other weeds.
Prune
frost sensitive plants, such as bougainvillea, after they begin to leaf out with
new spring growth.
Apply
mulch around the base of plants to conserve moisture and prevent weeds.
If you have previously had a problem, apply around the base of agaves a pesticide
labeled for use on grubs to kill the grubs of the Agave
Weevil. Repeat application in June.
Make
plans for Arbor Day.
Flowers
Herbs
Do not prune citrus except to remove dead or damaged wood and branches obstructing pathways, views, or structures.
Do not use pre-emergent herbicides in an area in which you intend to plant seeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Damage is Noticed on the Fruit
Citrus fruit drop
Low fruit set on deciduous trees (apples, pears, peaches, apricots pears)
Damage is Noticed on the Leaves
Leaves are abnormally yellow but the veins are still green
Leaf
Drop on Carob, African Sumac, Pine and other evergreen trees
Citrus leaves are curled and/or the fruit is slightly scarred.
Leaves
of vegetables (particularly cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower etc.) being eaten
by snails,
slugs, cabbage
loopers, or
birds.
There are lots of aphids, tiny insects, on my plants
A shiny little bug is destroying Mexican Evening Primrose, Dichondra, or vegetables
Something is devouring the grape leaves, only the veins remain.
There
is a gray or white powdery substance on plants
Seedlings and bedding plants wilt and die suddenly
Damage is Noticed on the Stem or Trunk
There are lots of aphids, tiny insects, on my plants
Saguaro cactus has large black patches that are oozing and smell terrible
Damage is Noticed on the Roots
Cultural / Environmental Questions
Leaves are abnormally yellow but the veins are still green
Leaf Drop on Carob, African Sumac, Pine and other evergreen trees
Low fruit set on deciduous trees (apples, pears, peaches, apricots pears)
Citrus fruit drop
Insect/Pest Questions
Citrus leaves are curled and/or the fruit is slightly scarred.
Leaves of vegetables (particularly cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower etc.) being eaten by snails, slugs, cabbage looper, or birds.
There are lots of aphids, tiny insects, on my plants
A shiny little bug is destroying Mexican Evening Primrose, Dichondra, or vegetables
Something is devouring the grape leaves, only the veins remain.
Mustard yellow paper wasps are out now
Disease Questions
There
is a gray or white powdery substance on plants
Seedlings and bedding plants wilt and die suddenly
Saguaro cactus has large black patches that are oozing and smell terrible
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