What to Plant in March Washington: A Guide to Starting Your Spring Garden
Spring is just around the corner, and it's time to start thinking about what to plant in your garden. If you live in Washington state, you know that the climate can be tricky, with cold winters and mild summers. But with some careful planning and the right plants, you can have a beautiful and bountiful garden.
1. Prepare Your Soil
The first step in starting your spring garden is to prepare your soil. This means removing any weeds or debris, tilling the soil, and adding compost or other organic matter. If you have clay soil, you may need to add sand or perlite to improve drainage. Make sure your soil has a pH level between 6.0 and 7.0, which is ideal for most plants.
It's also a good idea to test your soil for nutrients. You can buy a soil test kit at your local garden center or online. This will tell you if your soil needs additional nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium. If it does, you can add fertilizer or organic amendments to give your plants the nutrients they need to grow.
2. Choose Your Plants
March is a great time to start planting cool-season crops like spinach, lettuce, peas, and broccoli. These plants can tolerate cooler temperatures and even a light frost, making them perfect for Washington's spring weather.
You can also start planting some warm-season crops indoors in March, like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. These plants need a longer growing season, so starting them early indoors can give them a head start before transplanting them outside in May or June.
When choosing your plants, make sure to consider the amount of sunlight and water they need. Some plants, like tomatoes and peppers, need full sun to grow, while others, like lettuce and spinach, prefer partial shade. Make sure to read the plant tags or do some research to find out what each plant needs.
3. Plan Your Garden Layout
Before you start planting, it's important to plan out your garden layout. This means deciding where each plant will go and how much space it will need. You'll also want to consider companion planting, which is when you plant certain plants together to help each other grow.
For example, planting marigolds near your tomatoes can help repel pests, while planting beans near your corn can help fix nitrogen in the soil. You can find many companion planting guides online or at your local garden center.
4. Start Planting
Once you've prepared your soil, chosen your plants, and planned your layout, it's time to start planting. Make sure to follow the planting instructions for each plant, including how deep to plant it and how far apart to space it.
Water your plants regularly, but be careful not to overwater them, as this can lead to root rot. Consider using a drip irrigation system or a soaker hose to water your plants slowly and evenly.
5. Maintain Your Garden
Once your garden is planted, it's important to maintain it throughout the growing season. This means watering, weeding, and fertilizing your plants regularly. You may also need to prune your plants or provide support for taller plants like tomatoes and peppers.
Keep an eye out for pests and diseases, and take action quickly if you notice any problems. You can use natural pest control methods like neem oil or insecticidal soap, or you can use chemical pesticides if necessary.
6. Harvest Your Bounty
As your plants grow and mature, it's time to start harvesting your bounty. Pick your vegetables when they're ripe, and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Don't forget to share your harvest with friends and family, or donate your excess produce to a local food bank.
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