March Ideas, Tips & Guides

You’ll hear weather forecasters referring to spring from the beginning of March, as meteorological spring starts on March 1st. The spring equinox, when the days start to get longer than the nights, is around 20th March. Actual signs of spring – warmer days and plant growth – may take longer to appear!

When Ryan and I first built our garden, we installed wooden raised beds. They’ve been great – a good size, nice and deep, and easy to perch on. We choose eco-treated wood, and we’ve been trying to encourage a vibrant ecosystem in the garden, and that’s worked too well – it has decomposed the raised beds!

Malta, Gozo and Comino are Mediterranean island hot spots for early coastal flowers if these photos are anything to go by. Not a plant hunters paradise but a photographers opportunity to get some good shots.

What’s blooming at the South Carolina Botanical Garden this week!

“Daffodils are bouquets of sunshine”

“Spring in Nature’s way of saying Let’s Party” ~Robin Williams~

Here’s what is blooming in the Crooked Trail Farm garden this week.

Rob Last reports, “Following a few days of warmer conditions, crops are moving on strongly. Flowering and fruit set is occurring in strawberry crops. At present, spider mites in treated crops are at very low populations, but with warmer weather, populations can increase rapidly. As we are entering flowering and fruit set, sanitation and fungicide applications will be required to keep gray mold managed. Remember to rotate FRAC codes to avoid resistance build-up. Fertigation is being applied, and it will be well worthwhile taking a tissue test from crops. Blueberries in the area are showing bud swell with early varieties showing open flower.”

A walk through the quiet beauty of an early March garden.

Daffodils are in bloom all over South Carolina and spring is almost here! Daffodils and Narcissus are the same plant. Narcissus is the scientific name given to the genus of plants commonly called daffodils.

“The beautiful spring came, and when nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also.” ~Harriet Ann Jacobs~

Spring is arriving at Crooked Trail Farm.  Here’s what is blooming this week.

Zack Snipes reports, “We had some sunshine last week, which really brightened everything up. The last few nights have been cool, with some frost on the ground in the mornings. Things are starting to green up, and fields are drying out enough to plant. We are still direct-seeding crops around the region and will begin transplanting tomatoes in some areas this week. I spent last week checking strawberry fields to make sure things were good to go before they really bust out. I have been helping folks calibrate their drip fertigation systems for the upcoming season. If you think you need a hand with this, please let me know. Dialing in exactly how much fertilizer to use each day or week can really increase yields and lessen the amount of fertilizer that is leached. Leaching fertilizer means your plants aren’t taking it up, thus costing you money.”

Rob Last reports, “Strawberry crops continue to develop well with sustained flowering and fruit set. Early crops are ripening well, with crops coming to market. Just a note of caution, the weather last week can be conducive to gray mold development; fungicide programs will be key. Thrips are active in some crops, so keep scouting. Melon transplants are going in the ground over the last week, with development looking very promising. Peaches in the area are all but finished flowering with a great fruit set. Finally, as we are looking at a cooler week for flowering fruit crops, keep an eye on the forecasted temperatures to determine if any protection will be required. Fruit and closed buds can tolerate cooler temperatures than flowers, but damaged flowers can increase gray mold development.”

Zack Snipes reports, “We got some needed rain, but we got a lot of it in a short amount of time. Winter peas and spring-planted brassicas are looking good. Tomato and squash are in the ground on some farms, but because of the cooler weather and soil temperatures, they haven’t really taken off yet. I see a lot of brassica fields leftover from the fall. These fields are harboring all of our insects and diseases that we will have to fight this coming season. Mow these fields down and turn them under. Do not leave them. I am seeing lots and lots of diamondback moths and black rot in these leftover fields. Some more sad news this week from the Lowcountry as Mr. Adair McKoy, Sr. passed away this past week. Mr. McKoy was full of wisdom and had years and years of practical farming knowledge that he loved sharing with others. Never did I visit him when I didn’t learn something new. His love and care for the land was truly inspirational.”

“Spring is when life is alive in everything.”           ~Christina Rosetti~

Come for a Stroll through the Camellia Collection at the South Carolina Botanical Garden! The camellias are in full bloom this week.

Here’s What Is Blooming at Crooked Trail Farm Before the Freezing Weather

Dr. Matt Cutulle reports, “I saw my first nutsedge plants this year pop up in the plastic mulch of a fellow researcher’s trial last week in Charleston. Soil temperatures in plastic mulch systems are going to be higher, which may lead to earlier sprouting of yellow nutsedge tubers. New tubers begin forming four to six weeks after a new shoot emerges. Individual nutsedge plants may eventually form patches 10 feet or more in diameter, thus it is important to practice field sanitation once an infestation is recognized.”

Native Spring Ephemerals Are Blooming!

Rob Last reports, “The first of this season’s strawberries are coming to market with good quality. Growers still need to be very mindful of spider mites. Populations are around in the area but are variable. As we get into harvest season, gray mold management will be critical, so sanitation and appropriate fungicide applications will be needed. Otherwise, preparations for watermelon planting and some early cantaloupes have been sown. Damage assessments on later variety peaches will continue.”

What Is That Weed? Common Weeds Found in South Carolina.

Rob Last reports, “Starting with strawberries, spider mites are increasing in the area with eggs and adults warranting treatment. Strawberry crops are very susceptible to mite damage at the moment. Remember to sanitize plants by removing dead flowers and fruit to mitigate against disease. We have lost some brassica crops due to the freeze; if the growing point is intact, the crops may recover with reduced yields possible. There will be a peach crop. Early peach varieties have been hit quite hard in the area, with later varieties looking promising. Blueberries will make a crop, but again, there are varying levels of damage.”

Rob Last reports, “Fruit crops are all developing well with good fruit set and flowering. Strawberry crops are beginning to ripen, heralding a fresh taste of spring. Pests and disease remain low, and I would urge vigilance and continued monitoring for spider mites. If you haven’t already, protectant fungicide applications will be beneficial to counter gray mold and anthracnose fruit rots. Early peaches are in full flower with some early fruit set. Later varieties are beginning to flower. Land preparations for spring plantings are progressing well, given the dry weather and occasional showers. The first asparagus crops in the area are now being harvested with excellent quality.”

“Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn” ~Lewis Grizzard~

Sarah Scott reports, “Temperatures dropped below freezing along the Ridge two mornings last week. We’ve been checking peaches over the past few days to assess the damage. Right now, it seems a lot of early varieties will be hit pretty hard. Just from what I’ve checked, if there were still blooms present, there was some protection from the cold, but if there was no petal or shuck present, the fruit was very vulnerable and suffered damage. It will still take some time to know the extent of damage to the peach crop, but it is safe to say we did receive damage. We still have below-freezing temperatures in the forecast, so we will just have to wait a bit to really know the crop outlook. Strawberries were covered for the cold mornings last week. These crops look good after removing the covers. It’s important to maintain a good spray schedule and sanitation as best you can in between covering and uncovering.”

Zack Snipes reports, “Things are really moving with the nice weather recently. We are in the period where we are harvesting and planting and getting fields ready. Growers are extremely busy. The late spring or early summer crops that were bitten by the cold a few weeks ago seem to have bounced back and are now in an aggressive growth phase. I received some photos of cucumber beetles and yellow-margined leaf beetles in Asian greens and other mustard-type greens this week. These pests are very persistent and need to be managed with broad-spectrum insecticides on a 5-7 day interval for a few weeks. We need to get on top of the populations before the numbers get out of control. I visited a few strawberry fields this past week and guess what I found???…spider mites and gray mold…shocking right?  We cannot plant strawberries, walk away, and expect good yields and healthy fruit. This grower had botrytis (gray mold) on 99.999999% of his berries.”

Gibbs Garden in Ball Ground, GA has an amazing selection of garden sculpture and containers.

Every December, Gibbs Gardens plants over 30,000+ tulip bulbs. There are 40 different types that bloom from early, mid, and late season, offering weeks of beautiful color.

The HGIC Staff Recently Visited Gibb’s Gardens to View the Thousands of Daffodils in Bloom.

GARDEN CLEANUP HAS ITS REWARDS. There you are poking around with a pruning shears or a rake, cutting some things back and uncovering others, and suddenly you find them: the first brave souls to bloom.  From snowdrops (above) to the bravest shrub of all, a quick rundown of the first heat out of the gate:Helleborus niger, the so-called Christmas rose, is always extra-early.

IT’S DEFINITELY TRANSITION TIME right now here in Zone 5B. Chipmunks are out; red-winged blackbirds have begun to return just as February slipped away. But it can be garden-cleanup season, or still deep winter, or some of both in March. Sticks and stones picked up or raked away—if you can even get outside at all—often are replaced at once with another supply from on high, as if you really needed a do-over. Oh, well.HOARD CARDBOARD AND NEWSPAPER while you wait, to smother areas for new beds, or thwart weeds under fresh mulch in existing ones.WHILE INDOOR CHORES such as seed-sowing commence on schedule regardless of weather, outdoor chores sometimes wait until April. Caveat emptor: Be sensible and don’t muck around in too-wet soil or walk unnecessarily on sodden lawns. Love your soil, and protect it.YOUR PLANT ORDERS should be in the mail, or heading that way. When things arrive, bare-root woody plants will take priority in planting, so think

First, let’s do a little learning on the topic of local as it applies to heirloom seeds.  I loved where the conversation led in my Q&A with Ken:Q. “Local heirlooms” is a primary message, and mission, of Hudson Valley Seed Library. Explain. A. Just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder and taste is on the tongue of the eater, defining the term “local heirloom” is in the hands of the gardener. Most seeds have traveled more miles than any of us will in our lifetimes. Very few of the varieties of vegetables, herbs, and flowers that we love originally came from the places where we live. Many favorites, like tomatoes, originated in warm, sunny places like Central and South America. As the seeds traveled to new places, met new people with their own ideas of flavor, beauty, and use, they changed.So local do

CALL IT TRANSITION TIME right now here in Zone 5B. It can be garden-cleanup season, or still deep winter, or some of both. Sticks and stones picked up or raked away—if you can even get outside at all—often are replaced at once with another supply from on high, as if you really needed a do-over. Oh, well.HOARD CARDBOARD AND NEWSPAPER while you wait, to smother areas for new beds, or thwart weeds under fresh mulch in existing ones.WHILE INDOOR CHORES such as seed-sowing commence on schedule regardless of weather, outdoor chores sometimes wait until April. Caveat emptor: Be sensible and don’t muck around in too-wet soil or walk unnecessarily on sodden lawns. Love your soil, and protect it.YOUR PLANT ORDERS should be in the mail, or heading that way. When things arrive, bare-root woody plants will take pri

Particularly up North, it’s an if-and-when kind of month, as in: Do things on this list if and when the snow melts, the ground defrosts, and mud starts to drain off and dry. If and when. Not before! The biggest caveat: Don’t walk or work in too-wet soil, or trod on sodden lawns. Love your soil, and protect it.Speaking of garden stewardship: Did you take my more mulch, no sprays pledge for greener growing in 2014? Order mulch now, preferably a bulk delivery—skipping all those plastic bags, and ideally choosing a locally produced material. What makes good mulch, and how to use it.No matter what the weather: Empty nest boxes of old nests, and mayb

Besides the free love among the wood frogs, there was cross-species peace and harmony–like the thing-to-thigh giant male bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) and much smaller female green frog (Lithobates clamitans clamitans), above, neither of whom seemed aware that he could swallow her in one froggy bite. At one point–though it is far too early for him to be ready for any action–one of the four big bulls who spent the winter in my little backyard pool actually mustered a round of sex talk, as if he was in the mood for love. Ribbit!Click on the first thumbnail below, then toggle from slide to slide using your keyboard arrows or the arrows beside each caption. Enjoy.Categoriesfrogboys slideshows