March Gardening Chores for Edmonton

March is the perfect time to start planning your garden layout, selecting seeds, and organizing your planting schedule. Consider crop rotation to prevent soil depletion, companion planting to maximize plant health and pest control, and any new additions you’d like to try this year. Research different plant varieties suited to Edmonton’s climate, and order seeds early to ensure availability before demand peaks.

Many vegetables and flowers benefit from an early start indoors. In Edmonton, March is a great time to begin seedlings for:

• Tomatoes – Require 6-8 weeks of indoor growth before transplanting.
• Peppers – Slow to germinate and benefit from bottom heat.
• Onions – Can be started from seeds or sets for a longer growing season.
• Brassicas (Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower) – Hardy vegetables that adapt well to cooler temperatures
• Herbs (Basil, Parsley, Thyme) – Many herbs grow slowly and should be started early.

Use a quality seed-starting mix, keep soil evenly moist, and provide adequate light with grow lights or a sunny south-facing window. Maintain temperatures around 18-24°C for optimal germination and growth.

Ensure you have seed trays, labels, and a watering schedule in place.

• Use a heat mat to promote germination for heat-loving plants like peppers.
• Rotate seed trays regularly to prevent leggy seedlings due to uneven light.
• Use a small fan to improve air circulation and reduce the risk of fungal diseases.
• Gradually harden off seedlings before transplanting them outside by exposing them to outdoor conditions for a few hours each day.

While trees and shrubs are still dormant, it’s an excellent time to prune them.

• Remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches to encourage healthy growth and prevent disease spread.
• Thin out overcrowded branches to improve air circulation and sunlight penetration.
• Avoid pruning early-flowering shrubs (such as lilacs, forsythia, magnolias, azaleas, rhododendrons, and viburnums) as this could remove flower buds set in the previous year.
• Sterilize pruning tools between cuts to reduce disease transmission. To sterilize, wipe blades with a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol or a 10% bleach solution (one part bleach to nine parts water). Rinse thoroughly and dry before using again to prevent corrosion.

As the snow begins to melt, check your yard for areas where water pools.

• Clear debris from drainage pathways to allow proper water flow.
• Aerate compacted soil to improve absorption and reduce runoff.
• Add organic matter to garden beds to enhance soil structure and moisture retention. Use well-rotted compost, aged manure, shredded leaves, or peat moss to improve nutrient content and soil aeration. Mulching with straw or wood chips can also help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Consider installing rain barrels to collect meltwater for future use in dry months. See my article on Dealing With Drought.

If you have a greenhouse or cold frame, you can start cool-season crops such as:

• Lettuce – Grows quickly and thrives in cool temperatures.
• Spinach – A frost-tolerant green that produces well in early spring.
• Radishes – Fast-growing and ideal for early harvests.
• Kale – Hardy and packed with nutrients, thriving in cool weather.
• Swiss Chard – Tolerant to cool temperatures and can be harvested continuously.
• Arugula – A fast-growing leafy green that thrives in cool weather.
• Peas – One of the earliest vegetables to plant, tolerating light frosts well.
• Green Onions – Hardy and easy to grow in early spring conditions.

A cold frame can help extend your growing season by protecting young plants from late frosts.

Look for signs of overwintering pests in stored bulbs, tubers, and houseplants.

• Inspect plants for aphids, spider mites, and fungal issues before moving them outdoors.
• Remove any debris or dead plant material that may harbor insect eggs or disease.
• Introduce beneficial insects such as ladybugs or nematodes if pest populations are rising.
• Use organic pest control methods, like neem oil or insecticidal soap, to manage infestations early.

Check your compost pile and turn it to speed up decomposition.

• Start new compost layers by adding kitchen scraps, dried leaves, and garden waste.
• Mix in aged manure or organic fertilizers to enrich the soil for planting.
• Test your soil pH levels and amend accordingly with lime (to raise pH) or sulfur (to lower pH).

Once the soil starts to thaw, begin lightly working amendments into the garden beds.

If you haven’t already done this, inspect and clean your gardening tools.

• Sharpen pruners, shears, and hoes to ensure clean cuts and ease of use.
• Replace any broken handles to prevent injury and improve efficiency.
• Oil metal parts to prevent rust and extend the lifespan of your tools.
• Organize your gardening shed so that everything is easily accessible when needed.

Bring a touch of spring inside by forcing branches like forsythia and cherry blossoms to bloom early.

• Cut branches when buds are plump but not yet open.
• Place them in a vase with warm water and keep them in a warm room.
• Change water every few days to keep branches hydrated.
• Enjoy vibrant spring blooms indoors weeks before they appear outdoors.

March is an exciting time for Edmonton gardeners. While outdoor planting is still weeks away, taking proactive steps now will set you up for a successful growing season. By focusing on preparation and planning, you’ll be ready to embrace the first signs of spring and get your garden off to a strong start!

Until we dig into our next topic, happy gardening.