March is that in between time of winter, where spring still seems far away, and winter has been with us for a very extended period of time already. However, April is just around the corner and that will mean the start of lots of work with your trees as they come out of hibernation.
It's time to check your supplies of pots and wire and soil, and replenish these as necessary.
If your tools have been suffering a little neglect during the last year, perhaps this is the time to clean them into shape, and sharpen as necessary. Only with clean, sharp tools will you be able to minimize the danger of infection and slow healing wounds.
Hardy Evergreens And Deciduous Plants
It is particularly important now to keep a close eye on any trees that you are over wintering in a garage or cold shed. As temperatures begin to rise, it is quite possible, likely even, that some of your trees will be coming out of hibernation. Watch those buds! ... and if they are starting to swell, plan your strategy for their survival.
Once buds begin to break open, it is essential that you provide your trees with the appropriate light so that the new growth will not be pale and elongated. That will mean moving them from their place of rest to the outdoors >B>but only when temperatures are above freezing, ... and then returning them to their nest for the cold nights still ahead. If you are dealing with many trees, this can become quite a chore.
It may be possible for you to rig a temporary greenhouse shelter out of plastic in your yard. Leaning it against a house or placing it in front of a door that can be kept open is a possible solution worth exploring. You will of course have to provide a source of heat, likely from a space heater, and air movement, such as is generated by a fan. It sounds like a lot of trouble, and is when you first set it up, but it is really the only solution if you are dealing with more than a handful of trees. Once created and set up, this late winter shelter can be used each year for several years to come - prolong the life of your plastic covering by storing the shelter in a dark or shady spot for the summer months - basements and garages are great for this.
Tropicals
Your tropical trees will surely be bursting with new growth during March. All suggestions about vigilance with pests and diseases still apply, perhaps more so than ever. When your plants are over wintered in the house, natural predators that would soon destroy unwanted pests on your trees outside, are absent, and you must become their replacement.
March is a good time to begin repotting your tropicals, as needed. This will also sharpen your skills for next month when you will be starting to repot and prune your temperate trees.
If you are inclined to expand your collection with new young trees, March is a good time to explore the art of rooting cuttings and growing your own, future bonsai. If you are inclined to try your hand at this, do some research on the use of rooting hormones, and moisture requirements of cuttings that don't yet have any roots - you will need to provide the artificial environment in which they can survive.
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