“March brings breezes loud and shrill and stirs the dancing daffodil.” ~ Sara Coleridge
March seemed to take its time pushing cold icy February on its way. I can feel the excitement around the Greenhouses as we plant thousands of starts, stock our retail store, and plan for the upcoming season. Every season has something to offer, something special that only it brings. Spring brings joy, warmth, renewal, and growth here at Ashland Greenhouses. We are as excited as you are to get out and garden!
As excited as we all are, early spring planting comes with its own challenges. The weather in March can be unpredictable. Being prepared is the key to a successful early start. Having frost cloth ready for any sudden freeze is important. Mulching is also key as well as watering. Applying a layer of mulch around the base of plants helps insulate the roots from frost. Water plants in the morning – if there is a chance of frost, wet soil absorbs heat during the day and has an insulating effect. Portable containers, with tender plants, should be moved indoors to a garage or greenhouse. Taking these simple steps will help keep your plantings protected from the challenges of spring temperatures.
March is perfect for cool weather vegetable planting. Spinach, Swiss Chard, Onions, Kale, Broccoli, and Strawberries are just a few examples that you can plant in your early beds. All your vegetables will benefit from additional fertilizing three weeks after planting. Direct seeding crops like Carrots, Leeks, Peas, and Radishes happen in March as well. Ashland Greenhouses is ready to help you get started on your early spring planting with fresh vegetable starts, seeds, and bagged fertilizers and soils.
Soon we will all be outside enjoying the sunshine, gardening, enjoying bird songs, and all that spring brings us. Inside the Greenhouses, it’s exploding with color and that wonderful smell of soil, music’s playing, plants are happy, and we are excited to welcome you all back for another season. Check our website for all our free classes and events, our availability list, and a great video all about us! www.ashlandgreenhouses.com or call us at 541-482-2866. Of course, seeing you all in person would be even better, join us for our first class on Friday, March 7th @ 10:00 am. Learn about the care of succulents, how to incorporate them into your outdoor and indoor spaces, and propagation. Hope to see you there, or sooner!
