March Garden Checklist: Regional Tasks Across the U.S.

Spring arrives with longer days, early blooms, and a roster of garden chores. From pruning fruit trees in the Northwest to planting vegetables in Texas, here's what to do in March, region by region.

Putney Design

Regional March Priorities

Pacific Northwest

Final month to prune fruit trees. Landscape designer Karen Chapman: "Without proper pruning, trees won't be as vigorous or productive." Sharpen those pruners.

Secret Gardens

California

Plant bougainvillea in pots for midsummer show. Bill Marken recommends compact varieties ('Singapore Pink', 'Temple Fire', 'Purple Queen'). Handle root balls gently—sensitive to disturbance.

Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Southwest

Best time to add citrus trees. Arizona horticulturist Noelle Johnson: "Any needed pruning should also be done this month."

Jean Marsh Design

Rocky Mountains

Plan vegetable garden with companion plants. Colorado designer Jocelyn H. Chilvers: "Good partners for tomatoes include onion family, carrots, parsley, cucumbers, nasturtiums, marigolds."

Steve Masley Consulting and Design

Texas

Transplant veggies and herbs for months of harvest. Jenny Peterson: Chard, collards, cucumbers, eggplant, pumpkins, summer squash, tomatoes, tomatillos, endive—look for healthy 4-in pots. Herbs: artemesia, chives, lemongrass, mint, oregano, rosemary, sage, sorrel, thyme, santolina. Contain mint in its nursery pot to prevent spreading.

Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Central Plains

Add architectural native grasses and wildlife features. Nebraska consultant Benjamin Vogt: Think beyond ornamentals—incorporate elements that benefit wildlife.

Barbara Pintozzi

Great Lakes

Watch for early native wildflowers. Barbara Pintozzi: Sharp-leaved hepatica (Hepatica nobilis var. acuta) blooms by late March, slightly before round-leaved (var. obtusa). Both semievergreen; remove dead leaves before bloom.

Susan Teare

Northeast

Hunt for early bulbs. Charlotte Albers: Reticulated iris (Iris reticulata) is among the earliest ephemerals, emerging through leaf duff. Hard to spot scattered, but high impact after winter.

Amy Renea

Mid-Atlantic

Harvest seeds from lingering pods. Amy Renea: Many plants hold seedpods late—collect and sow immediately.

The New York Botanical Garden

Southeast

Plant clematis at the mailbox (sunny spot, no hot afternoon sun). Helen Yoest: Needs good soil, drainage, mulch to keep roots cool.

See more U.S. regional garden guides. Also: 8 Surefire Vegetables and Herbs for Beginning Gardeners.