Your Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Ahead This Spring
The countdown to spring is ON. 🌞
March in Michigan is unpredictable — snow one week, sunshine the next. But while the weather can’t make up its mind, your garden can absolutely get a head start.
A little prep now = a thriving garden later!
Here’s your complete March gardening checklist for Southeast Michigan.
1. Get Your Garden Beds Ready for Spring! 🌿
In Michigan, it’s best to start spring cleanup when temperatures stay above 50°F for several days and new growth appears. This timing helps protect pollinators and beneficial insects, many of which overwinter in plant debris.
- Clear away winter debris—remove leaves, twigs, and anything left behind.
- Gently rake without disturbing emerging bulbs
- Check your soil’s pH—adjusting now ensures your plants thrive.
2. Feed Your Soil First 🌱
March is the perfect time to improve soil before planting season begins.
Add Organic Matter
- Top-dress beds with compost.
- Spread well-rotted manure
- Let spring rains work nutrients into the soil naturally
💡 Pro Tip: Instead of turning compost deeply into the soil, try top-dressing. It:
- Reduces manual labor
- Supports healthy soil biology
- Improves moisture retention
- Provides slow nutrient release
If soil is workable (not frozen or soggy), you can gently loosen compacted areas.
2. Get Ahead of Weeds Early 🚫
Yes, weeds wake up early, even in Michigan’s unpredictable spring! Stopping them now saves you headaches later.
- Pull emerging weeds now before they spread.
- Apply a pre-emergent weed preventer to garden beds before annual weeds start germinating. (Preen works well—just follow the label instructions!) Pre-emergent products prevent seeds from sprouting — they do NOT kill existing weeds, so timing matters.
3. Check Your Tools & Supplies 🔧
- Sharpen pruners and garden shears.
- Clean and disinfect tools
- Replace broken tools and stock up on fertilizers, soil, and mulch.
- Clean out your garden shed and organize supplies for a smooth season ahead.
4. Start Seeds Indoors 🌱
Want a head start on the growing season? Now’s the time to start warm-weather veggies indoors, so they’re ready to go once Michigan’s frost-free date arrives!
Best seeds to start now:
- Tomatoes 🍅
- Peppers 🌶️
- Herbs 🌿
💡 Pro Tip: Use grow lights or a sunny window to keep seedlings strong and healthy.
🌱 Need supplies? We’ve got seeds, seed trays, and potting mix at our Hartland store!
5. Apply Critter Protection Early 🦌
Deer, rabbits, and other garden visitors are on the move—and they’re just as excited about fresh spring growth as you are! Applying repellents early and consistently helps set boundaries before they turn your garden into an all-you-can-eat buffet.
- Deer are pattern eaters, meaning they return to the same reliable food sources. If they learn early on that your garden isn’t on the menu, they’ll move along!
- Rotate your repellents! Critters like deer, rabbits, and squirrels can get used to a single repellent if it’s applied repeatedly, so switching it up keeps them guessing.
6. When to Prune? Timing is Everything! ✂️
Pruning at the right time keeps your shrubs healthy and full of blooms. Some plants love an early spring trim, while others should be left alone until after they bloom.
- Trim back ornamental grasses & perennials (like coneflowers & black-eyed Susans) in early spring.
- Do NOT prune spring bloomers yet—wait until after they flower! (This includes lilacs, azaleas, and forsythia.)
🌿 Shrubs That Bloom on New Wood
These shrubs bloom on new growth from the current season, so they can be pruned in late winter or early spring (late March to early April in Michigan). Examples include:
- Hydrangea Panicle (Limelight, Little Lime, Bobo, Vanilla Strawberry)
- Hydrangea arboresces (Annabelle, Incrediball)
- Japanese Spirea
- Roses
- Japanese Barberry
- Summersweet
- Smokebush
- Cotoneaster
🌸 Shrubs That Bloom on Old Wood
These shrubs bloom on the last year's growth, so prune after they flower in late spring, summer, or fall. Pruning too early removes this year’s flower buds!
- Azaleas & Rhododendrons (Rhododendron spp.) – Northern Lights Series, PJM Rhododendrons
- Hydrangeas Bigleaf (Hydrangea Macrophylla) - Endless Summer Series: Bloomstruck, Summer Crush, Blushing Bride, Twist-and-Shout, and the classic blue hydrangea—these bloom on both old and new growth!
- Hydrangeas Oakleaf (Hydrangea quercifolia) - Snow Queen, Gatsby Moon, Ruby Slippers
- Magnolia
- Lilacs
- Viburnum
- Ninebark
- Weigela
Rule of thumb: If it blooms before June in Michigan, wait until after it flowers to prune.
Pruning Tips for Old Wood Bloomers:
- Prune lightly to maintain shape and encourage healthy growth.
- Avoid cutting back too much—severe pruning can remove next year's blooms.
A little effort now means a healthier, more vibrant garden all season long! 🌿