Spring is in the air! I can feel it in my heart and my bones. My body just wants to be outside, soaking up warmer temperatures and lots of sunshine after months of chilly, gray days and lots of rain. I can't say that we had a cold or harsh winter, but that's typical for North Carolina. We're very used to experiencing 'unseasonably warm' winters. It's almost always mild for us in winter, which means that the trees start blooming early, and so do the daffodils and early spring bloomers. 

I start itching to garden this time of year, like most gardeners do. 'False spring' can throw gardeners for a loop, tempting them to plant tender plants and flowers. While garden shops at stores like Lowe's and Home Depot are already putting out tender plants, it's better to wait until the threat of frost is gone before you plant anything that can't withstand freezing temperatures. I'll share more about some great options for planting in cool weather in another article.

There are lots of jobs to be done around the garden this month, however, to get your yard and garden in good shape for spring planting. 

Here are a few garden jobs for March:

Pruning- Now is a great time to prune back any climbing plants, as well as roses, if you haven't done this already.

Cleanup- Hopefully, you left your plant stems in your garden through the winter so the birds and pollinators had a place to perch, feed, and take refuge. It's a good time to start cutting back any dead foliage, collecting any lingering seeds, and scattering leaves.

Leave the leaves- It's so tempting to rake up and clear leaves out of your garden beds, but it's best to leave them where they are. Allow them to break down into the soil and provide essential nutrients for your plants. You can always turn the dirt over, and work the leaves in, and re-mulch.

Start dahlias- If you grow dahlias (I am attempting for the first time this year), start tubers in pots. You can transplant them when temperatures are warmer in April or May.

Top off feeders- It's a great time to clean and top off your bird feeders. Our feathered friends need energy for building nests this time of year. Don't forget to provide a clean water source, like a bird bath, so they have a place to splash in and drink from.

If you are a cottage gardener at heart, and love following advice from true gardeners, you will be delighted by Monty Don. Check out his monthly gardening tips for a flourishing garden year round.

I like to do a daily property walk to check on the health and progress of my plants. I'm looking to see what's popping up, leafing out, etc. I can't wait to share more about my garden with you!

What types of plants are springing up in your garden this month?