March brings excitement, warmer days, and the urge to rush into the garden. But success this time of year comes from knowing what to do—and what not to do.

After a harsh winter, timing and technique matter more than ever. Here’s your complete guide to navigating early spring gardening the right way.

Trim Smart: What to Cut Back Now

Trimming is one of the most important March tasks—especially after a cold winter.

Trim These Now (and Trim Hard)

• Evergreens
• Nandina (can cut back over 50%)
• Crape myrtle
• Spirea
• Smoke tree
• Butterfly bush
• Ornamental grasses

Key rule:

The harder the winter, the harder you trim.

Aggressive trimming now gives plants the entire growing season to recover, resulting in fuller growth and more blooms.

What NOT to Trim in March

Some plants should never be trimmed now because you’ll remove this year’s flowers.

Avoid Trimming Spring Bloomers

• Azalea
• Rhododendron
• Andromeda
• Camellia (spring blooming)
• Dogwood
• Redbud
• Serviceberry
• Magnolia
• Fruit trees

These plants formed their buds last August and carried them through winter.

Avoid Trimming “Bleeding” Trees

When sap rises in spring, certain trees will “bleed” if cut.

Avoid trimming:

• Japanese maple
• Redbud
• Fruit trees

If it blooms in spring or has thin bark—leave it alone for now.

Spring Lawn Seeding: Shade vs Sun

Shady Areas — YES to Seeding

• Germinate faster
• Work in cooler temperatures
• No crabgrass competition

Shady lawns can be seeded starting in March.

Sunny Areas — NO (Mostly)

Sunny grass seed requires:

• Overnight temperatures of 45°F+
• Warmer soil conditions

This typically doesn’t happen until mid-April.

The Only Exception for Sunny Lawns

You can seed if you:

• Apply Tenacity (liquid or granular)
• Timing: April 15–20
• Follow up with additional weed control

Quick Fix for Small Lawn Areas

Instead of seeding:

• Use sod for small patches (fast results)
• Fill holes with lawn edging scraps

Sod establishes in about one week with proper watering.

Fertilizing: Feed Everything Now

All living plants need nutrients—especially after winter stress.

Fertilize Now

• Lawns
• Trees
• Shrubs
• Bulbs (tulips, daffodils)

Bulb fertilization helps:

• Improve current blooms
• Store energy for next year

Avoid This Common Fertilizer Mistake

Do NOT use bone meal:

• No nitrogen
• Potential contamination concerns

Use High-Nitrogen Fertilizers Instead

• Plant Trust
• Garden Trust
• Fertilome’s Start-n-Grow

Weed Control: Act Early

Apply Now

• Apply Gallery to prevent broadleaf weeds
• Use on lawns and over mulch beds

Wait on Crabgrass Prevention

• Do NOT apply too early
• Ideal timing: mid-April

Exception: Stiltgrass

• Apply prevention by March 20
• Thrives in shade and moisture
• Must be stopped early

Don’t Panic Over Winter Damage

Many plants may look damaged—but most will recover.

Before Removing Any Plant

Use simple tests:

• Bend test → flexible = alive
• Scrape test → green inside = healthy

Over 90% of winter-damaged plants recover, including:

• Nandina
• Holly

Understanding Azaleas After Winter

Azaleas often look rough in early spring—but this is normal.

They are semi-evergreen, meaning:

• Older leaves drop before winter
• Remaining foliage may look damaged

Healthy plants with good mulch typically have no long-term issues.

Nature’s Color Code: What Azaleas Tell You

Azalea color reveals growth rate, hardiness, and leaf retention.

Red Azaleas

• Slowest growing
• Least cold hardy
• Lose ~50% of foliage
• Deep mahogany winter color
  

Orange-Red Azaleas

• متوسط (average) growth
• Moderate cold tolerance
• متوسط leaf retention
  

White Azaleas

• Fast growing
• Most evergreen foliage
• Strong landscape performers
• Leaves turn yellow before dropping

Purple & Lavender Azaleas

• Fastest growing
• Most cold hardy
• Poor leaf retention

But:

Less foliage = less stress to support

Why Red Plants Grow Slower

This applies beyond azaleas.

Examples include Japanese maples:

• Darker red = slower growth
• Fine-cut leaves = less photosynthesis

Smaller “solar panels” = reduced energy production.

What to Expect This Spring

Even if azaleas look rough now:

• Flower buds are intact
• Blooms will still be spectacular

Each bud hides a burst of spring color.

Celebrate Recovery and Feed Your Plants

Early spring is about renewal.

• Feed your azaleas
• Support recovery
• Enjoy the transition into bloom

Spring rewards patience—and proper care.