March gardening reminders: If you haven’t already done so, it is time to prune apple and pear trees, grape vines, deciduous trees except for maples, evergreens and woody shrubs except for early bloomers like forsythias and lilacs.
If you plan to start flower or vegetable seeds indoors for outdoor planting in May, check the seed packet as to how far ahead to start the seeds and use a calendar to count the weeks backward to figure out when seeds should be started.
During the second half of March, spread corn gluten meal on your lawn as a non-toxic method of controlling dandelions and other broadleaf weeds. Corn gluten meal inhibits germination. To be effective, it must be spread before the weeds germinate. So if you see little dandelions in your lawn . . . too late! Corn gluten meal can be purchased at Greenville Co-op on Hwy. 76 in Greenville. Call 757-6556 for hours and price. Uncover roses and other shrubs that were covered or wrapped in Styrofoam or plastic. The warm spring sun can cook those plants inside their non-permeable covers. Rake winter mulch aside but be ready to cover plants again if nighttime temperatures are forecast to be below the mid-twenties.
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