The beginning of March marks a new season in the gardening world. Now is the time to be thinking about what crops need planting, fertilizing, and pruning. That’s why Ocean View has compiled a must-have list of what you need to continue growing a successful garden or landscape in 2025.
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Florida Gardening: Mid-March Crop Transitions
Planting
According to the North Florida Gardening Calendar, annuals will continue to thrive throughout the cooler season and the month of March. However, now is the time to start planning for the warmer seasons. Consider planting annuals such as angelonia, wax begonia, and zinnia toward the end of the month.
Now is also the time to begin planting bulbs that flower in spring and summer, such as:
- Dahlia
- Canna
- Gloriosa
- Amaryllis
- Begonia
- Caladium
- Crinium
- Rainlily
Along with flowers, vegetables and herbs are also important to begin thinking about for this growing season. Warm-season crops can include herbs like ginger, which require well-drained soil in full to part sun. Vegetables include beans, squash, tomatoes, and corn. It is suggested to plant early in the month for vegetables to protect them from frost and for a late spring harvest.
Winter Plant Maintenance
In addition to planting new crops, it’s important to maintain the garden they will grow up in. March is the time for pruning azaleas, shrubs, and trees to reduce size and improve their form.
The University of Florida (UFL) writes that along with pruning, fertilization is also needed for azaleas, camellias, and other ornamental shrubs. “Choose a fertilizer in which at least 30% of its nitrogen is slow release,” say UFL.
Additionally, March is the time to check your sprinklers for problems to maintain a healthy and consistent irrigation system.
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