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By Sheri Bethard

Texas Certified Master Gardener, Orange County Master Gardeners Assn.

• Often, tomato and pepper plants started outdoors from seed will grow so quickly they will catch up with commercial plants in size within a few weeks. For many gardeners, this is the only way to obtain rare or heirloom varieties. Don’t be in a hurry to set out young pepper plants. Wait until the temperatures seem to be settled. Be sure to harden off any seedlings you had started. I would wait until mid-month or later before planting in the ground giving the soil time to warm up
• Pruning of evergreens and summer flowering trees and shrubs should be completed by the end of March. Prune spring flowering trees and shrubs, azaleas, redbuds, dogwoods, as soon as they finish blooming. If more than a month after blooming, wait until next year as the plant is already setting its blooms for next season.
• Start hanging baskets of petunias, ferns and others for another dimension in landscape color. One attractive begonia plant can yield a number of others through careful rooting of stem cuttings. Try placing your cuttings in a plastic cup with holes in the bottom filled with moist vermiculite. Keep it moist and in 4-6 weeks you will have a rooted cuttings.
• Plant dahlia tubers in fertile, well-drained soil.
• Select and order caladium tubers as well as coleus plants for late April and early May planting. Do not plant caladiums until soil temperature reaches 70°F. As of Friday, Mar. 12, my soil temp is right on 70°F.
• As camellia and azalea plants finish blooming, fertilize them with three pounds of azalea-camellia fertilizer per 100 square feet of bed area. Check mulch on azalea and camellia beds and add where needed.
• Fertilize roses every 4 to 6 weeks from now until September.
• Beware of closeout sales on bare-root trees and shrubs. The chance of survival is rather low on bare-root plants this late in the season. Your best bet at this time of year is to purchase container-grown or balled-and-burlapped plants for landscape use.
• Divide fall-blooming perennials and ornamental grasses to allow them time to be well established by fall.
• Cut back dead foliage on any ornamental grasses only if you see new grow coming out.
• Plant annuals mid to late in the month for color when your perennial and natives stop blooming. Place plants about 4 inches apart for good bloom coverage
• Make any garden changes now before everything starts actively growing.
• Add mulch to your beds now to help preserve moisture for the summer months.
• Mow your lawns now with your blade about an inch lower but do not scalp your lawn. This helps remove and winter-damaged leaves and clears the way for new growth.
• Apply compost to your lawn this month. Compost can be purchased pelletized and easily spread on your lawn. Wait until April to fertilize.
• Monitor your fruit trees for insect pests and disease
• Move houseplants outside toward the end of the month and remove dead leaves and fertilize. Repot if necessary.
• Clean and fill bird and butterfly feeders, along with birdbaths and fountains.

If you have any gardening questions, please call our Hot Line at 409 882-7010, Tuesday and Thursdays 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. or you can email ocmg1990@gmail.com.

We will have a seminar on Nutritional Infusions and Teas Seminar on Saturday, March 27, 2021 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Expo Center Ballroom, 11475 FM 1442, North entrance. Bring your own mug to taste the teas.

COVID-19 protocols will still be observed such as mask wearing is required and we will social distance. Sanitizer will be available as well as temperatures will be taken prior to entrance.
Email ocmg1990@gmail.com  or Call 409-882-7010 to sign up for the class.

Our annual Bloomin’ Crazy Plant sale will be held Saturday, April 10 from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Cormier Park, 8235 FM 1442 in Orangefield between the railroad tracks and the Catholic Church. We will have a large variety of plants along with several vendors to enhance your gardening experience. Masks will be required to enter the pavilion. Temperatures will be taken prior to entrance. Tickets will be given out on a first come basis and the number of people allowed in at a time will be limited to properly social distance. For more information, please email ocmg1990@gmail.com