What to do this coming month in preparation for the spring.

Soil & Beds: Prepare, Amend, Mulch

• Clear winter weeds and debris.
• Turn soil 6–8″ deep if needed.
• Add compost or aged organic matter and a balanced fertilizer before planting.
• Replenish mulch (2–3″) around beds, trees, and vegetable areas to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
• Water in fertilizer and newly planted areas gently and consistently. (1 inch of water per week including rainfall)

Pruning & Cleanup

• Prune spring-blooming shrubs after flowering — only as needed.
• Trim groundcovers and ornamental grasses to remove old, unattractive growth.

Pest & Disease Prep

• Apply pre-emergent herbicides early March on lawns and beds before weeds sprout.
• Pest pressure should be low as pest populations haven't had time to reproduce, but stay vigilant in scouting for insects. 

Vegetables – What to Plant in March

(Use the full Louisiana Vegetable Planting Guide on the LSU AgCenter website for specifics like spacing, depth, and varieties.)

Direct-seed cool-season crops (Early-Mid March) Quick production and turnaround.

• Beans (bush/snap)
• Beets
• Radishes
• Lettuce (if still within planting window)
• Greens, mustard, turnips
• Kale (direct-seed or transplant)
  (These can still be planted in early March if soil conditions are favorable.)

Warm-season crops (Mid-Late March)

• Transplants:
  • Tomatoes
  • Peppers
  • Eggplants
• Direct seed after frost risk wanes:
  • Cucumbers
  • Squash
  • Watermelons
  • Southern peas
  • Butter beans
    (Plant warm-season crops once soil warms and frost risk is low — most parts of South LA can begin mid-March.)

Flowers & Ornamentals

Annuals & Bedding Plants

• Begin planting warm-season annuals (e.g., zinnias, marigolds, salvia) late March, especially in southern parts of the state.
• Harden off greenhouse starts before planting outside (expose gradually to sun/wind).

Perennials & Bulbs

• Plant gladiola corms and other spring bulbs early–mid March.
• Deadhead fading flowers to encourage new blooms in beds and borders.

Roses

• Plant or fertilize roses in March for best spring/summer performance.