March in Southeast Wisconsin can feel like a tease—some days hint at spring, while others remind us that winter isn't quite ready to let go. While eager gardeners might be tempted to start planting, the reality is that our soil is still too cold and wet for most crops. But that doesn't mean there's nothing to do! Here are a few essential tasks to help you get ahead while you wait for the true growing season to begin.
1. Plan Your Garden
Now is the perfect time to finalize your garden plans. Sketch out where you want to plant different crops, consider crop rotation to prevent disease buildup, and order any last-minute seeds or supplies.
2. Start Seeds Indoors
While it's too early to direct-sow most vegetables, you can start seeds indoors for crops like tomatoes, peppers, and brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts). This gives them a strong start before transplanting in late April or May.
If this gives you any sort of stress, don't start seeds this year; buy seedlings from a nursery. To save yourself the stress, you can still directly sow some seeds like green beans, zucchini, cucumbers, and greens without having to start them inside.
3. Check and Prep Your Tools
Take stock of your gardening tools—sharpen pruners, clean shovels, and ensure everything is working. If you need new tools, now is a good time to shop before the spring rush.
4. Test and Amend Your Soil
If you haven't tested your soil in a few years, consider sending a sample to the UW Soil Testing Lab. Knowing your soil's pH and nutrient levels will help you amend it properly with compost or organic fertilizers before planting season.
5. Clean Up Garden Beds (But Not Too Soon!)
While it's tempting to start clearing out last year's plant debris, hold off on removing mulch or cutting back perennials too early—many beneficial insects overwinter in plant matter. Wait until temperatures are consistently above 50°F before a full cleanup.
6. Prep Raised Beds and Cold Frames
Raised beds warm up faster than ground soil, so you can start preparing them earlier. If you have cold frames, you can plant cool-season crops like spinach, snow peas, radishes, beets, and lettuce by the end of March.
7. Prune Trees and Shrubs
Late winter/early spring is the best time to prune fruit trees, berry bushes, and certain shrubs before they break dormancy. Remove dead or damaged branches and shape them for better airflow and productivity.
8. Mulch Paths and Prepare Compost
Adding mulch to pathways now can help suppress early weeds. Turn your compost pile to speed up decomposition and make sure you'll have rich organic matter ready for planting.
Patience Pays Off
While March might not bring immediate gratification in the garden, the work you do now sets the stage for a productive growing season. By taking advantage of this time to prepare, you'll be ready to hit the ground running when Wisconsin's true gardening season arrives in April and May.
What's on your March gardening to-do list? Let me know in the comments!
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