March Madness in the Garden

March is one of the most exciting months in the Lodi garden. The soil is warming, daylight is increasing, and spring growth is just beginning to take off.

Life is showing itself in the garden. Take hold of it and a little preparation and timing make all the difference for a productive and beautiful garden season ahead.

Prune Fruit Trees (Before Full Bud Break)

March is your last window to finish pruning deciduous fruit trees before vigorous spring growth begins.

In Lodi, most fruit trees are just starting to wake up. If you haven’t already:

• Prune peaches and nectarines to an open-center shape.

• Thin crowded interior branches on apples and pears.

• Remove crossing limbs and water sprouts.

• Cut out any dead or diseased wood.

Proper pruning improves air circulation, increases fruit size and quality, and reduces disease pressure later in the season.

Tip: Always sanitize tools between trees to prevent spreading disease.

Berry Bushes Need A Haircut and Clean Up

• Berry season will be here before you know it!

• Raspberries & blackberries: Remove dead canes and thin crowded growth.

• Blueberries: Lightly shape and remove older, unproductive wood.

• Strawberries: Clean out dead leaves and refresh mulch.

This simple cleanup boosts airflow and encourages larger, sweeter harvests.

Cool-Season Vegetable Bounty Before Hot Temps Arrive

March is prime time in Zone 9 to plant cool-season vegetables directly in the ground.

Plant now:

• Peas

• Potatoes

• Lettuce

• Spinach

• Carrots

• Beets

• Radishes

These crops thrive in mild spring temperatures and will begin producing before the summer heat arrives.

Tip: Potatoes can be planted in trenches and hilled up as they grow. Peas appreciate support early — install trellises at planting time.

Prepare Garden Beds for Spring

Even if you aren’t planting warm-season crops yet, now is the time to prepare.

• Remove winter weeds.

• Turn and loosen compacted soil.

• Add compost or aged manure.

• Check irrigation lines.

• Top off raised beds with fresh soil mix.

Healthy soil is the foundation of everything that follows. In Lodi’s sandy soils, adding organic matter improves water retention, nutrient availability, and root development.

Warm-Season Seeds Like an Indoor Start

March is the perfect time to start warm-season plants indoors so they’re ready to transplant in April or May.

Start indoors now:

• Tomatoes

• Peppers

• Eggplant

• Basil

• Squash (late March)

Use seed trays with good drainage, quality seed-starting mix, bright light (grow lights are best), and gentle air circulation. Starting seeds indoors gives you a jump on the season and access to unique varieties not always available at nurseries.

4 More March "To-Do's"

1. Fertilize roses as new growth begins.

2. Divide overcrowded perennials.

3. Watch for early aphids on tender growth.

4. Refresh mulch before temperatures rise.

March is about preparation and momentum. The work you do now sets the stage for abundant harvests, healthy trees, and vibrant garden beds throughout the growing season.

In Zone 9, we are fortunate to garden almost year-round — but timing is everything. Stay ahead of the heat, nurture your soil, and enjoy the awakening of spring in Lodi.

Happy Gardening!