Clear the way for spring in the March garden

Anticipation typically draws first breath with the arrival of the seed catalogs and is reinforced with the February bud swell. Daffodils add to the sensory mix, defying winter as they break from their seasonal sleep and push toward intermittent sun. It is in March however, that the crescendo of anticipation truly begins, and with it, the pull and the energy to engage with spring.

Your garden checklist for March is lengthy and comprehensive. The following represents some of the March garden priorities:

* Finish pruning fruit trees, deciduous and evergreen trees. Postpone, however, pruning/trimming flowering trees and shrubs, such as dogwood and rhododendron, until after they bloom.

* Transplant hardy nursery stock. A March planting gives trees and shrubs ample opportunity to start root growth before summer stress.

* Cut your ornamental grasses back to a few inches above the ground. This will allow new growth the freedom to engage with the world unencumbered.

* Cut back raspberries and other cane berries to approximately 3 feet. Cut fall-bearing raspberries to ground level. Dig out and destroy any diseased canes or infested crowns.

* Prune rose bushes, removing dead, diseased or damaged stems. On bush varieties, cut stems back to an out-facing bud. Cut stem to approximately knee height, making angled cuts about a half-inch above the outfacing bud. An axiom for many rosarians is "The harder you prune, the stronger the new shoots will grow."

* Feed your roses with alfalfa meal. It is a slow acting, all-purpose fertilizer that will help your plant produce larger blooms. Follow the directions provided on the packages as an overapplication may damage the roots.

* Divide perennials that bloom in late summer or fall (blanket flowers, cone flowers, etc.). Spring and summer perennials are best divided in the fall. If your perennial becomes less vigorous or dies out in the center, it is telling you it is time to divide.

* Give all spring bulbs a light application of balanced fertilizer.

* Replace, or at least amend, the soil in your pots, tubs and/or containers.

* Get a jump on your annual flowers. Use a sunny spot in your garden to sow some sweet peas. Remember to soak the seeds overnight to promote germination. As the plants grow, keep them in check with a trellis of some type.

* Pot up overwintered tuberous begonias in peat moss-rich potting soil.

* Remove winter mulches and add them to your compost pile. Allow a thin layer of mulch to remain in place as this will provide a valuable layer of protection against the extremes of summer.

* Start your garden journal -- nothing fancy required. Note the date and temperature if you do any planting. Also, note the variety of vegetable you may plant; that will help you make a yes/no decision for next year.

* Rake your lawn, clearing away any debris, matted grass, etc. This material makes a great contribution to your compost pile.

* Respond quickly to the emergence of any annual weeds. Early attention to these pesky critters will dramatically lighten the task for the remainder of the year. Remember, once the weed goes to seed, you can be fighting that weed seed for up to seven years or more!

* Plan your vegetable garden on a sheet of paper. This will assist you in making the best use of your garden space and serve as a reminder to rotate your plantings each year.

* Turn your compost pile.

"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it provides." -- W.E. Johns, "The Passing Show"

Lend a hand -- or two

The Yakima Area Arboretum will be having its annual "Pull 'n of the Greens " from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday to help with the spring cleanup of the arboretum grounds.

Join with other volunteers to prune, plant, trim, spread bark, repair garden beds and other seasonal tasks. When the work is done, volunteers will be treated to a tasty cup of hot soup and other treats in the Jewett Interpretive Center.

For more information, call the Yakima Area Arboretum at 509-248-7337.

* Washington State University Extension Master Gardener Program is an organization of trained volunteers dedicated to horticulture and community service. Questions about gardening, landscaping or the program may be directed toward the Master Gardener Clinic by calling 509-574-1600 or visiting the WSU Extension office at 104 N. First St. in Yakima. New volunteers are welcome.