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Planter's Almanac: March Planting Guide

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 1, 2008

WHAT TO DO

Fertilize lawn, trees and shrubs: Shop for a fertilizer that contains slow- or controlled-release nutrients.

To determine the correct amount of fertilizer to use, divide the first number on the fertilizer bag (which represents the nitrogen) into 100. This is the number of pounds to apply per 1,000 square feet of lawn and landscape area.

Broadcast the fertilizer over the soil or mulch, and water.

Set spring annual and vegetable plants, and fertilize them: The list of what can be planted this month includes alyssum, lobelia, pentas, wax begonia and zinnia, as well as beets, eggplant, radishes, onions, sweet potatoes and tomatoes.

Spray roses to prevent black spot and powdery mildew disease: Symptoms of black spot are dark, round spots with yellow halos followed by dropping leaves. Purchase a fungicide labeled for the control of these diseases, and follow directions.

Watch for pests: Lubber grasshoppers are black with a yellow-to-orange line down their sides. Young lubbers should be hand-picked or treated with a pesticide.

Aphids feed on the underside of new growth and cause cupped, distorted leaves. Mites thrive in dry weather, sucking plant juices from the underside of leaves. Forceful sprays of water will dislodge both insects.

Lady beetles and other beneficial insects are effective predators and will suppress aphids. Insecticide soap sprays and other pesticides can also control the "bad" bugs if their natural enemies do not.

Remove cold-damaged growth on landscape plants after danger of frost passes: To determine how much of the plant you need to cut back, gently scrape the plant's bark to see whether the cambium layer is green (living) or brown (dead). Prune dead material.

If frost has hit, remove any cold-damaged growth.

Watch for lacebug infestations: Examine plants weekly. These sucking insects attack azalea, pyracantha and sycamore, producing whitish speckling on the upper leaf surface. Shiny black spots of excrement can be found on the underside.

In addition:

Control scab disease on citrus.

Begin spraying new growth on roses.

Fertilize perennials.

Use oak leaves as mulch.

Air-layer to propagate plants.

Lightly prune annuals.

Fertilize muscadine grapes.

WHAT TO PLANT

Vegetables: bean, beet, cantaloupe, carrot, corn, cucumber, green onion, eggplant, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard, okra, pea, pepper, pumpkin, radish, squash, sweet potato, tomato, turnip, watermelon

Annuals: ageratum, alyssum, amaranthus, arctotis, aster, baby's breath, balsam, bracteantha (strawflower), browallia, calendula, calliopsis, celosia, cleome, coleus, cosmos, Dahlberg daisy, delphinium, dianthus, diascia, dusty miller, foxglove, gaillardia, gazania, geranium, impatiens, kalanchoe, lobelia, marigold, melampodium, marguerite daisy, Mexican sunflower, nasturtium, nemesia, nicotiana, nierembergia, ornamental pepper, osteospermum, periwinkle (vinca), petunia, annual salvias, snapdragon, stock (Matthiola incana), sunflower, torenia, verbena, viola, wax begonia, zinnia

Herbs and spices: anise, basil, bay laurel, borage, caraway, cardamom, chervil, chive, cilantro (coriander), cumin, dill, fennel, ginger, horehound, lemon balm, lovage, marjoram, Mexican tarragon, mint, oregano, rosemary, sage, savory, thyme, watercress

Bulbs: achimenes, African lily, alstroemeria, amaryllis, Amazon lily, Aztec lily, blackberry lily, blood lily, caladium, calla, canna, crinum, crocosmia, dahlia, elephant ear, gladiolus, gloriosa lily, Kaffir lily, Louisiana iris, moraea, rain lily, shell ginger, society garlic, spider lily, tiger lily, tritonia, tuberose, voodoo lily, Watsonia, walking iris

Information provided by Hillsborough County Extension

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