Pacific Northwest Gardening in March
Navigating the Pacific Northwest Climate
Gardeners in the Pacific Northwest: Discover What to Plant in March for a Vibrant Garden Come Spring
The Pacific Northwest, covering Washington, Oregon, Northern California, and British Columbia, offers a diverse range of planting zones due to its varying temperatures and elevations. Understanding your USDA zone and the last frost date is crucial for successful gardening in March.
Discovering the Best Pacific Northwest Plants
With its unique climate, the Pacific Northwest offers a vast array of plants suited for March. Here, we'll highlight some stellar shrubs, perennials, vegetables, and fruits for a spectacular Pacific Northwest garden:
- Veggies: March is perfect for sowing cool-season veggies like peas, spinach, lettuce, and kale directly into prepared garden beds, as well as some herbs like dill, cilantro, and parsley. For warm-season crops like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants, start seeds indoors 8 weeks before the last frost date.
- Fruits: Bare-root berries and fruit trees such as pears, apples, plums, blackberries, marionberries, and loganberries are ideal for planting in March if the ground is workable. Even rhubarb and strawberry starts can be installed in moderate zones.
- Flowers: March signals the perfect time to sow many flower seeds like zinnias, celosia, bachelor's buttons, and sunflowers into the garden. Perennials such as pansies and snapdragons can be transplanted from indoor seedlings to a protected outdoor area once the danger of frost has passed.
Top Tips for a Successful Pacific Northwest March Garden
- Use a soil thermometer to ensure the soil temperature is above 40°F (4.5°C) before starting seeds.
- Add soil amendments like compost, lime, and manure to help improve soil quality and support seed germination.
- Keep an eye on spring pests like slugs and snails and use appropriate traps or bait to protect your plants.
- Monitor weather conditions and be ready to cover tender plants with frost blankets, tarps, burlap, or frost barrier fabric if hard freezes are forecast.
- Keep plants well-watered to maintain warmth and support healthy growth.
By following these tips and choosing the right plants for your USDA zone and climate, you'll have a blooming, bountiful Pacific Northwest garden come summer! So, gather your seeds, garden tools, and enthusiasm, and get ready to embark on a rewarding March gardening adventure!
- To venture into a vibrant Pacific Northwest home-and-garden lifestyle, consider sowing seeds for cool-season vegetables, like peas, spinach, and lettuce, directly into your garden in March, while warmer crops like tomatoes can be started indoors for planting later in the year.
- Expand your home-and-garden repertoire by taking advantage of March's climate to plant an array of fruit trees, berries, and flowers, such as pears, apples, blackberries, and zinnias, which thrive in the unique Pacific Northwest environment.
