Garden Pro-Tip March
March Tasks for a Thriving Garden
Chop in Cover Crops – Turn overwintered cover crops into the soil, letting their decomposing roots feed and aerate the earth.
Cover the Soil to Dry and Warm – A simple cloche or sheet of plastic traps warmth and fends off excess moisture, creating the perfect environment for early planting.
Divide Perennials – Spring is an ideal time to divide and replant perennials, ensuring robust blooms and healthy root systems.
Hang Mason Bee Houses – These gentle pollinators emerge early and are invaluable for fruit tree pollination. Providing a home for them helps ensure a thriving garden.
Plant Berries and Bare-Root Plants – March is the window for establishing berry bushes and bare-root trees before they leaf out.
Prep Garden Beds – Clear debris, amend soil, and shape beds to prepare for the upcoming season’s plantings.
Start Seeds – Indoors or in a greenhouse, now is the time to sow tomatoes, peppers, and other warm-season crops.
Transplant Early Greens – Hardy greens such as kale, spinach, and lettuce can be moved outside for an early harvest.
Weed and Mulch Perennial Beds – Getting ahead of early spring weeds ensures that perennials emerge strong and unchallenged.
In the Kitchen: Preserving the Harvest
The pleasures of a well-stocked kitchen are made even sweeter when preparation is effortless. One simple way to streamline meal prep is by freezing alliums. Members of the onion family—garlic, shallots, leeks, and onions—do not require blanching and can be chopped fresh and stored directly in the freezer. By spreading them in a thin layer within a freezer bag or container, you can easily break off what’s needed for soups, sautés, and stews. This small act of preparation pays dividends on busy evenings, allowing flavors of the garden to infuse every meal in any season.
A Reflection on Soil Health
As winter begins to wane and the first stirrings of spring awaken in the garden, we must turn our attention to the foundation of all growth: the soil. After seasons of tending vegetables and harvesting their abundance, we often find our soil weary, its nutrients depleted despite our best efforts. Even the ritual application of compost can sometimes feel insufficient, leaving the land depleted and unresponsive. This is a call to listen deeply to our soil, to nurture and replenish it with the care it deserves.
The Art of Soil Renewal
Never Leave Soil Uncovered
Naked soil is vulnerable soil. The relentless rains of the Pacific Northwest leach nutrients, compact the ground, and begin the process of erosion. A simple remedy is to blanket the earth with a thick mulch layer—anywhere from 3 to 12 inches deep, depending on the situation. This not only suppresses weeds but also creates a sanctuary for the unseen allies beneath our feet. Earthworms, fungi, and other decomposers thrive in this protective cover, aerating and enriching the soil as they work. Consider cover crops as another layer of defense and nourishment. A living mulch of crimson clover or winter rye not only shields the soil but also builds organic matter and provides essential nutrients.
Feed the Soil Generously
Our soil’s ability to sustain life depends on a steady influx of organic material. Instead of viewing garden cleanup as mere tidying, see it as an opportunity to give back. Chop and turn under old plant residues, allowing their nutrients to cycle back into the earth. Take a break from constant vegetable production and sow two or three successive cover crops, each adding a fresh wave of fertility. These deep-rooted plants break up compacted soil, enhance microbial activity, and improve structure—ensuring a thriving, resilient garden for years to come.
Rotate Thoughtfully
Crop rotation is a time-tested practice for both soil health and disease prevention, but beyond shifting plant families, we can take a more nuanced approach by rotating the type of crop grown. By following a sequence from leafy greens to root vegetables, then to flowering crops, and finally to fruiting plants, we balance nutrient use and replenishment. Fertility rotation ensures that the soil is not continuously drained of the same nutrients, promoting long-term vitality.
Let the Chickens Lend a Hand
There is no better way to integrate nature’s workers into our gardening efforts than by employing a flock of hens. Chickens excel at pest control, breaking down organic matter, and enriching the soil with nitrogen-rich fertilizer. With the help of a movable chicken tractor or a temporary fence, they can be guided through garden beds, scratching, foraging, and fertilizing as they go. Their diligent work reduces the need for artificial amendments, ensuring a well-balanced and fertile growing space.
At Eco-Restore, we believe that soil is more than a growing medium—it is a living, breathing ecosystem that deserves our care and reverence. Through mindful gardening practices, we can restore balance, enhance fertility, and cultivate abundance. Whether you need guidance on soil health, crop rotation, or integrating regenerative techniques into your garden, we are here to help. Together, we can nurture the land that sustains us, ensuring a flourishing garden for seasons to come.
