UGA Cooperative Extension

Putnam County Cooperative Extension Office:
Lake Country Master Gardener Association (LCMGA)

March Garden Tips

First Week  

• Time to prune deciduous trees and shrubs.
• Plant trees and shrubs while they are still dormant. Once buds start opening you are almost TOO late! Very risky!!!
• Trim fruit trees.
• There is still time to plant fescue. Get ready for spring.
• Spray winter weeds.

Second Week

• Perfect time to purchase azaleas while they are in bloom.
• Plant bulbs and tubers.           
• Perennials can be set out this month or divide old clumps.
• Time to take cuttings of mums.
• Last chance to plant deciduous trees and shrubs.

Third Week

• Perfect time to plant perennials.
• Also divide and reset old ones.
• Take cuttings or divide Mums.
• Time to plant cannas, amaryllis.
• Get a soil analysis if you haven't yet.
• Air layer camellias for the next few weeks

Fourth Week       

• Feed lawn only when it is 50 percent green. Applying weed and feed to Centipede and St. Augustine grasses until late May is questionable. Applying fertilizer too early to warm season grasses can potentially be harmful.
• Vegetable gardening is getting close but don't be in a hurry. Let ground warm for a few weeks yet.
• Spray camellias for scale.
• Cut back poinsettias to 6-8 inches. Keep moist but NOT wet.

Fifth Week

• Still time to plant azaleas. Actually can be planted or transplanted at almost any time if done properly.
• Leave spring flowering bulb leaves but cut back flower stalks.
• Plant cool season flower seeds indoors to have young plants ready to set out after frost. 

Last date for frost in Georgia is April 28. Don't jump the gun.