Northeast March Garden Checklist: Prune, Plant, and Plan for Spring

March in the Northeast brings freeze-thaw cycles and muddy soil. Work on dry days to avoid compaction. Two big jobs: prune woody plants and cut back perennials.

Tools for the Job

Hand pruners, loppers, secateurs, cart/wheelbarrow, large tarp, muck boots, gloves.

Spot Early Bulbs

Reticulated iris (Iris reticulata), squill (Scilla siberica), snowdrops, and crocuses emerge through leaf litter. Plant squill in masses for a blue carpet.

Cut Back Ornamental Grasses

Shear to ground or 6 inches: maiden grass (Miscanthus), feather reed grass (Calamagrostis × acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Blaze’), fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides), purple moor grass (Molinia caerulea ‘Moorhexe’). Drag cuttings on a tarp to the compost pile.

Keep Winter Lights Up

Remove evergreen roping but leave string lights on fences, arbors, or trees—they’re pretty and save re-stringing in fall.

Stock Up on Seeds

Most plants need 6–8 weeks to mature plus 10–14 days to germinate. Count back from your last frost date. Direct-sow arugula (rocket) as soon as soil works—zesty greens in 5 weeks.

Plan for Healthy Eating

Start lettuces indoors; transplant after hardening off. Try heirloom ‘Kagraner Sommer’ buttercrunch or lamb’s lettuce (mâche), one of the earliest spring greens.

Shop Catalogs for Summer Annuals

Zinnia ‘Zahara Double Fire’ (disease/drought resistant, 18", blooms all summer) pairs beautifully with Helenium ‘Moerheim Beauty’ and chartreuse coleus. Salvia ‘Blue Bedder’ (heirloom, 30", deep blue spikes) attracts hummingbirds and blends with anything.

Visit Flower Shows

March shows across New England: Worcester Flower & Patio Show, Vermont Flower Show (Mar 1–3), Boston Flower & Garden Show (Mar 13–17), Western MA Home & Garden Show (Mar 21–24), Seacoast Home & Garden Show, Durham NH (Mar 23–24).

Seek Inspiration on Vacation

If traveling south, observe how visual art enhances landscapes—like a mosaic wall in Key West. Order seeds before you go.