First signs of spring seem to be showing, even though we never really saw much winter. A friend reports seeing two snakes warming themselves on a trail hike yesterday, but the swallows have yet to ‘Come Back to Capistrano” (March 19 is Swallows Day). I spy with my little eye a sycamore a-fixin’ to leaf out, but wildflowers are largely absent this year (unless you sowed seed in your natural garden.) Despite our extremely dry “rainy” season in southern California, all the cycles of nature are functioning in good order, except winter soil moisture down deep, (unless you have been watering).
Current events, history, review, and notes
Weather forecasts are calling for a series of storms to approach in waves during the first half of March. The various activities outlined below are suggested on the assumption we get those rains. Wishful thinking? Sure. If there’s any one thing common to all gardeners it would be the virtue of hope.
Watering
Assuming you have done one or two cool season Deep Soak Plus Refreshing Sprinkle waterings, in addition to the 3” rain event from last month, your soil is moist to the ideal depth of 14-18”. Also assuming we get rains early in March (such assumption so stated above), you will not need to do any waterings this month, save watering new plants as you plant them.
Related to Watering
As always, if you see any opportunity to improve the grade on the soil surface by creating berms, catchment basins, swales, and meanders, go out and scratch a few depressions, build a few little mounds in key places. The goal is to get rain water to slow down, spread out, and soak in. This “microtopography” can be so subtle it is almost undetectable, but it will help prevent wasteful run-off.
Pruning
Major thinning and shaping should have been done in fall/winter, and can be done through April/May. This month you can concentrate on the branch tips. If you want to encourage your plant to be bushier, denser, and more shrublike, stay diligent on pinching or trimming growing tips, removing as little as 1/4”. This causes all the energy in that branch to direct its juice to the lateral buds, because you have just severed the terminal bud.
Weeding
It goes without saying, but I say it every month, “Keep up on weeding.” As a reminder, mechanical removal is essential, without the use of herbicides. If we get rain, we’ll get new weeds too. Severe infestations by perennial weeds such as bermuda and nut sedge may require more severe eradication measures. Please inquire if you are interested.
Mulching / Top Dress
Continue to promote both cool moist soil and a weed free understory by leaving natural leaf drop under your mature trees and shrubs. If you think you need to import a top dress, organic or mineral, do so before hot weather hits in summer. As a general rule, 2” of chunky bark, or 1” of aggregate sand or gravel is enough. Let your mulch be part of your narrative. Organic for a fresh “woodland” look, mineral for a chaparral or “desert” vibe.
Feeding
March is an ideal month to apply an all purpose organic fertilizer to your entire garden, especially if you can time it to precede a good rain event.
Troubleshooting – Varmints, Pests and Diseases
Ants. Argentine ants will carry injurious plant pests onto your plants where they will cause damage this summer. Control of ants? None. They are here to stay. Knock back a few colonies at a time and reduce the impact. Yes. Baits. I like the gel called Combat. Also, Argentine ants like to build their nests in safe, relatively dry places. Some mulches/topdress provide them with perfect hiding places. Avoid mulches that will mat up on itself. Avoid mulches that dry out completely.
Annual Wildflowers
Hope the seed you sowed last fall is starting to make a few flowers. If you want to add some color to your garden, come on over. We have some springtime flower plants in little pots for you. Take a look at Mimulus pictus. A real showstopper and not one you see every day.
Adding New Plants
Spring is still a great time to put new plants in, especially during a rainy period. Come on over! We look forward to seeing you. Every natural garden needs at least a few representatives of our state’s most iconic shrubs… manzanita and ceanothus. We have a great selection, the manzanitas are in bloom and the ceanothus will be in flower very soon. They want your garden to be their home.
Arctostaphylos otayensis (a beautiful pink one!). This is a selection we made in the 80’s and had always intended to introduce. ‘Otay Sunset’ might have been a nice name. Come on propagators, if you’re feeling up to it, come take cuttings. (This fall.) Let’s get this thing in the trade!
My Patio Re-wild
Nature in miniature. Ecosystems at my door. Desert bonsai. Tiny whole plant communities. Habitat in a pot. No matter how you call it, your personal outdoor space comes alive with native plants in planters and pots… let’s call it My Patio Re-wild
Phytophilia
Our love of plants and their love for us. When I look and listen over the natural landscape or into a natural garden, this month I see and hear the word “wonder” which in context is related to “mystery.” If we approach nature or a natural garden with (at times) anything less, we are missing their message.
Re-wild
Here’s a Re-wild tip for spring. Every aromatic plant you prune, mainly the new growth on branch tips, is inviting you to keep the prunings to make little potpourri bags. Use them fresh, and if they dry without molding, keep them until the fragrance is gone.
Important Review
Spring includes Swallows Day in San Juan Capistrano
Rain and then not, still a dry year
Cool season irrigation, maybe
Let it soak in
Tip prune new growth
Weeds after rains
Leave the leaves, imported mulch OK
Great time to feed, all purpose organic
Keep them ants outta there
Wildflowers only if you sowed seed months ago
Great time to plant new plants
Nature in miniature
Wonder and mystery still essential
Potpourri with native aromas
Engage
Spring is for the birds and the bees, and the flowers and the trees. It’s also for cameras and sketch pads, journals and notebooks, pruners and shovels, and possibly this year for garden hoses as well.
Since our phone cameras archive our photos by date, and since many of us have been using these cameras for several years now, it’s fun to look back on the March month photos from years past. In the most recent, I sure see a lot of bright green, an abundance of flowers, and some pretty nice skies. We’re a lot drier this year, but things are still really pretty. Finalizing this post on Swallow’s Day (March 19th) it is drop dead gorgeous outside, so I’m a-gonna close this laptop and go outside to shoot some pics.
See you next month!
Let’s keep makin’ it.
From MARCH in the Natural Garden,
Mike Evans
Questions? Help is just one call or one email away. Call (949) 728-0685 or email (with pictures if you like) our special helpline: gardenhelp@californianativeplants.com