Moon Planting calendar of March

Before 2:05 PM (14:05), with an ascending moon:

LANDSCAPING: again, short opportunity to sow annuals directly in flower beds: love-in-a-mist, cosmos, Virginia stock, California poppy... / Indoors (68-72°F or 20-22°C), in a bright spot, sow pelargonium, clove pink and semperflorens begonia in trays (don't cover the begonia seeds).

VEGETABLE PATCH: Sow cauliflower and broccoli cabbage under a cold frame.

After 2:05 PM (14:05), the moon begins to descend:

LANDSCAPING: Prune repeat-blooming roses: cut back shrubby roses down to 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) and shorten stems from taller rose trees (in mild climates, also remove ridging, but wait for next month if in a colder area) / Last chance to plant bare-root rose trees: dress the roots up with root dip before planting / Plant all perennials sold in nursery pots, and grasses, too / Fertilize peony flowers (potassium-rich organic fertilizer to spread around the base and work into the soil) / Trim lavender and santolina / Prune crape myrtle, buddleia, snowberry, tamarisk and hydrangea / Transplant begonia that were sown on February 9 and 10 into larger trays / Prepare cuttings from fuchsia and chrysanthemum.

VEGETABLE PATCH: In mild regions, remove winter protections on artichoke and collect rooted offshoots from each / If not done yet, transplant in individual nursery pots cauliflower sown in January and early February, keep indoors for the time being.

LANDSCAPING: 2nd day for pruning repeat-blooming roses: cut back shrubby roses down to 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) and shorten stems from taller rose trees (in mild climates, also remove ridging, but leave it if in a colder area) / Last chance to plant bare-root rose trees: dress the roots up with root dip before planting / Plant all perennials sold in nursery pots, and grasses, too / Fertilize peony flowers (potassium-rich organic fertilizer to spread around the base and work into the soil) / Trim lavender and santolina / Prune crape myrtle, buddleia, snowberry, tamarisk and hydrangea / Transplant begonia that were sown on February 9 and 10 into larger trays / Prepare cuttings from fuchsia and chrysanthemum.

VEGETABLE PATCH: 2nd day, in mild regions, for removing winter protections on artichoke; collect rooted offshoots as you go / If not done yet, transplant in individual nursery pots cauliflower sown in January and early February, keep indoors for the time being.

Don't garden before 1 PM (13:00) – moon is at apogee at 6 PM (18:00)

Before 9:53 AM, flower day:

LANDSCAPING: 3rd day for pruning repeat-blooming roses: cut back shrubby roses down to 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) and shorten stems from taller rose trees (in mild climates, also remove ridging, but wait for another month in a colder areas) / Last chance to plant bare-root rose trees: dress the roots up with root dip before planting / Plant all perennials sold in nursery pots, and grasses, too / Fertilize peony flowers (potassium-rich organic fertilizer to spread around the base and work into the soil) / Trim lavender and santolina / Prune crape myrtle, buddleia, snowberry, tamarisk and hydrangea / Transplant begonia that were sown on February 9 and 10 into larger trays / Prepare cuttings from fuchsia and chrysanthemum.

VEGETABLE PATCH: 3rd day, in mild regions, for removing winter protections on artichoke; collect rooted offshoots as you go / If not done yet, transplant in individual nursery pots cauliflower sown in January and early February, keep indoors for the time being.

After 9:53 PM (09:53), entering a leaf day:

VEGETABLE PATCH: Transplant February-sown lettuce under a cold frame
Plant asparagus crowns on ridges.

LANDSCAPING: Remove moss from lawns / Keep trimming boxwood edges / Plant deciduous and evergreen shrubs.

VEGETABLE PATCH: 2nd day to transplant February-sown lettuce under a cold frame / Plant asparagus crowns on ridges.

LANDSCAPING: 2nd day to remove moss from lawns / Keep trimming boxwood edges / Plant deciduous and evergreen shrubs.

ORCHARD: If the weather is mild, prune (3-buds or eyes) trained and espalier apple, pear, apricot and peach trees; if not done previously, remove mummified fruit, dead or unhealthy branches, and spray bordeaux mixture / Also prune olive, grapevine and actinidia / Finish pruning small berry shrubs and use the trimmings to start cuttings (gooseberry and red currant).

VEGETABLE PATCH: Ridge faba beans if they've reached 8 inches already (20 cm) / If needed, transplant tomato seedlings.

ORCHARD: 2nd day, if the weather is mild, for 3-bud pruning of trained and espalier apple, pear, apricot and peach trees; if not done previously, remove mummified fruit, dead or unhealthy branches, and spray bordeaux mixture / Also prune olive, grapevine and actinidia / Finish pruning small berry shrubs and use the trimmings to start cuttings (gooseberry and red currant).

VEGETABLE PATCH: 2nd day for ridging faba beans if they've reached 8 inches (20 cm) / If needed, transplant tomato seedlings.

ORCHARD: 3rd day, if the weather is mild, for 3-bud pruning of trained and espalier apple, pear, apricot and peach trees; if not done previously, remove mummified fruit, dead or unhealthy branches, and spray bordeaux mixture / Also prune olive, grapevine and actinidia / Finish pruning small berry shrubs and use the trimmings to start cuttings (gooseberry and red currant).

VEGETABLE PATCH: 3rd day for ridging faba beans if they've reached 8 inches (20 cm) / If needed, transplant tomato seedlings.

VEGETABLE PATCH: Plant crosnes, horseradish and swede directly in the growing bed / Indoors, in nursery pots, plant Peruvian oca which isn't as hardy / Plant early potato if already germinated, with the sprouting bud facing up, depth 4 inches (10 cm) / Thin and weed carrot and radish sprouts / Prepare soil in plots for spring sowing of root vegetables: break up soil and topdress with compost.

VEGETABLE PATCH: 2nd day for planting crosnes, horseradish and swede directly in the growing bed / Indoors, in nursery pots, plant Peruvian oca which isn't as hardy / Plant early potato if already germinated, with the sprouting bud facing up, depth 4 inches (10 cm) / Thin and weed carrot and radish sprouts / Prepare soil in plots for spring sowing of root vegetables: break up soil and topdress with compost.

VEGETABLE PATCH: 3rd day for planting crosnes, horseradish and swede directly in the growing bed / Indoors, in nursery pots, plant Peruvian oca which isn't as hardy / Plant early potato if already germinated, with the sprouting bud facing up, depth 4 inches (10 cm) / Thin and weed carrot and radish sprouts / Prepare soil in plots for spring sowing of root vegetables: break up soil and topdress with compost.

Don't garden before 1:55 PM (13:55) – lunar node at 8:53 AM

Before 3:30 PM (15:30), root day:

VEGETABLE PATCH: 4th day for planting crosnes, horseradish and swede directly in the growing bed / Indoors, in nursery pots, plant Peruvian oca which isn't as hardy / Plant early potato if already germinated, with the sprouting bud facing up, depth 4 inches (10 cm) / Thin and weed carrot and radish sprouts / Prepare soil in plots for spring sowing of root vegetables: break up soil and topdress with compost.

After 3:30 PM (15:30), entering a flower day:

LANDSCAPING: Prune repeat-blooming roses: cut back shrubby roses down to 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) and shorten stems from taller rose trees (in mild climates, also remove ridging, but wait for next month if in a colder area) / Last chance to plant bare-root rose trees: dress the roots up with root dip before planting / Plant all perennials sold in nursery pots, and grasses, too / Fertilize peony flowers (potassium-rich organic fertilizer to spread around the base and work into the soil) / Trim lavender and santolina / Prune crape myrtle, buddleia, snowberry, tamarisk and hydrangea / Transplant begonia that were sown in February into larger trays / Prepare cuttings from fuchsia and chrysanthemum.

VEGETABLE PATCH: Keep collecting artichoke offshoots (ovoli) / Thin cauliflower sprouts.

LANDSCAPING: 2nd day for pruning repeat-blooming roses: cut back shrubby roses down to 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) and shorten stems from taller rose trees (in mild climates, also remove ridging, but leave it if in a colder area) / Last chance to plant bare-root rose trees: dress the roots up with root dip before planting / Plant all perennials sold in nursery pots, and grasses, too / Fertilize peony flowers (potassium-rich organic fertilizer to spread around the base and work into the soil) / Trim lavender and santolina / Prune crape myrtle, buddleia, snowberry, tamarisk and hydrangea / Transplant begonia that were sown in February into larger trays / Prepare cuttings from fuchsia and chrysanthemum.

VEGETABLE PATCH: 2nd day for collecting artichoke offshoots (ovoli) / Thin cauliflower sprouts.

LANDSCAPING: Plant evergreen shrubs and conifers, whether sold with bagged root clumps or in containers / Prune ornamental leaf shrubs (for evergreens, light trimming is enough), as well as topiary and boxwood edges / Run the de-thatcher across the lawn.

VEGETABLE PATCH: Plant asparagus: place each crown in a trench atop a ridge, close it up and water (expect 2 years before the first harvest) / Plant rhubarb or remove protective mulch / Divide clumps of sorrel, tarragon and chives / Thin lettuce sprouts and savor the ones you pulled out in mesclun.

LANDSCAPING: 2nd day for planting evergreen shrubs and conifers, whether sold with bagged root clumps or in containers / Prune ornamental leaf shrubs (for evergreens, light trimming is enough), as well as topiary and boxwood edges / Run the de-thatcher across the lawn.

VEGETABLE PATCH: 2nd day for planting asparagus: place each crown in a trench atop a ridge, close it up and water (expect 2 years before the first harvest) / Plant rhubarb or remove protective mulch / Divide clumps of sorrel, tarragon and chives / Thin lettuce sprouts and savor the ones you pulled out in mesclun.

ORCHARD: Before the moon starts ascending this evening, finish planting berry shrubs and fruit trees / Finish pruning trained fruit trees, at 3 eyes (or buds): apple, pear, apricot, peach) and spray bordeaux mixture / Finish pruning olive, grapevine and actinidia / Finish pruning small berry shrubs and use the trimmings to start cuttings (gooseberry and red currant).

VEGETABLE PATCH: Ridge faba beans if they've reached 8 inches already (20 cm) / If needed, transplant seedlings into individual nursery pots: tomato, eggplant, bell pepper and chili.

VEGETABLE PATCH: Sow Cucurbitaceae crops indoors in trays (cantaloupe, watermelon, squash, zucchini, pickle, cucumber), to transplant into individual pots when still with 2 cotyledon leaves / Indoors, as well, sow eggplant, tomato, bell pepper and chili pepper / You can sow faba bean and pea directly in the ground.

ORCHARD: If you've gathered scions from your fruit trees previously, now is when to start grafting them (cleft graft and triangular graft).

Before 12:39 PM (12:39), fruit & seed day:

VEGETABLE PATCH: 2nd day for sowing Cucurbitaceae crops indoors in trays (cantaloupe, watermelon, squash, zucchini, pickle, cucumber), to transplant into individual pots when still with 2 cotyledon leaves / Indoors, as well, sow eggplant, tomato, bell pepper and chili pepper / You can sow faba bean and pea directly in the ground.

ORCHARD: 2nd day, if you've gathered scions previously, for grafting fruit trees (cleft graft and triangular graft).

After 12:39 PM (12:39), entering a root day:

VEGETABLE PATCH: Sow root parsley in place (harvest in 3 months for leaves, 6 months for roots) / Sow parsnip in the plot / Under a cold frame or tunnel (no need for protection in mild regions), sow monthly cycle radish.

VEGETABLE PATCH: 2nd day for sowing root parsley in place (harvest in 3 months for leaves, 6 months for roots) / Sow parsnip in the plot / Under a cold frame or tunnel (no need for protection in mild regions), sow monthly cycle radish.

Don't garden after 10:10 AM – moon is at perigee at 3:12 PM (15:12)

Before 8:51 AM, root day:

VEGETABLE PATCH: 3rd day for sowing root parsley in place (harvest in 3 months for leaves, 6 months for roots) / Sow parsnip in the plot / Under a cold frame or tunnel (no need for protection in mild regions), sow monthly cycle radish.

After 08:51 AM, entering a flower day:

LANDSCAPING: Prepare hibiscus cuttings in water, indoors / In the flower bed, sow annuals that aren't vulnerable to the cold: zinnia, California poppy, clarkia, delphinium, cosmos, sweet alyssus, nigella, mallow... / In a tray, indoors, sow petunia and impatiens (don't cover the seeds).

VEGETABLE PATCH: Sow cauliflower and broccoli in a nursery.

LANDSCAPING: 2nd day for preparing hibiscus cuttings in water, indoors / In the flower bed, sow annuals that aren't vulnerable to the cold: zinnia, California poppy, clarkia, delphinium, cosmos, sweet alyssus, nigella, mallow... / In a tray, indoors, sow petunia and impatiens (don't cover the seeds).

VEGETABLE PATCH: 2nd day for sowing cauliflower and broccoli in a nursery.

Note: spring equinox at 9:24 PM (21:24). No influence on gardening.

Before 12:43 PM (12:43), flower day:

LANDSCAPING: 3rd day for preparing hibiscus cuttings in water, indoors / In the flower bed, sow annuals that aren't vulnerable to the cold: zinnia, California poppy, clarkia, delphinium, cosmos, sweet alyssus, nigella, mallow... / In a tray, indoors, sow petunia and impatiens (don't cover the seeds).

VEGETABLE PATCH: 3rd day for sowing cauliflower and broccoli in a nursery.

After 12:43 PM (12:43), entering a leaf day:

VEGETABLE PATCH: Sow branch celery under a cold frame, on a hot bed or even just indoors (required is 60°F or 15°C); keep soil moist until sprouts grow 3 leaves - transfer out in the open after the last frost / In place, sow orache, and in places where hard freezing is by now unlikely, sow New Zealand spinach / Sow in the plot (with a tunnel) or in a well-exposed nursery your first escarole and curly endive; another option is to sow in a tray indoors to speed germination / Under a cold frame or in a nursery, sow Brussels sprouts and white cabbage / Indoors (65-68°F or 18-20 °C), sow basil; bring it outdoors in May.

VEGETABLE PATCH: 2nd day for sowing branch celery under a cold frame, on a hot bed or even just indoors (required is 60°F or 15°C); keep soil moist until sprouts grow 3 leaves - transfer out in the open after the last frost / In place, sow orache, and in places where hard freezing is by now unlikely, sow New Zealand spinach / Sow in the plot (with a tunnel) or in a well-exposed nursery your first escarole and curly endive; another option is to sow in a tray indoors to speed germination / Under a cold frame or in a nursery, sow Brussels sprouts and white cabbage / Indoors (65-68°F or 18-20 °C), sow basil; bring it outdoors in May.

Before 4:53 PM (16:53), leaf day:

VEGETABLE PATCH: 3rd day to sow branch celery under a cold frame, on a hot bed or even just indoors (required is 60°F or 15°C); keep soil moist until sprouts grow 3 leaves - transfer out in the open after the last frost / In place, sow orache, and in places where hard freezing is by now unlikely, sow New Zealand spinach / Sow in the plot (with a tunnel) or in a well-exposed nursery your first escarole and curly endive; another option is to sow in a tray indoors to speed germination / Under a cold frame or in a nursery, sow Brussels sprouts and white cabbage / Indoors (65-68°F or 18-20 °C), sow basil; bring it outdoors in May.

After 4:53 PM (16:53), entering a fruit & seed day:

ORCHARD: Keep grafting fruit trees, either cleft grafts or triangular grafts.

VEGETABLE PATCH: Sow round pea, wrinkled pea and mangetout, faba bean / Indoors, sow melon and other Cucurbitaceae crops.

Don't garden before 7:05 AM – lunar node at 2:07 AM

ORCHARD: 2nd day for grafting fruit trees, either cleft grafts or triangular grafts.

VEGETABLE PATCH: 2nd day for sowing round pea, wrinkled pea and mangetout, as well as faba bean / Indoors, sow melon and other Cucurbitaceae plants.

Before 4:16 PM (16:16), fruit & seed day:

ORCHARD: 3rd day for grafting fruit trees, either cleft grafts or triangular grafts.

VEGETABLE PATCH: 3rd day for sowing round pea, wrinkled pea and mangetout, as well as faba bean / Indoors, sow melon and other Cucurbitaceae plants.

After 4:16 PM (16:16), entering a root day:

VEGETABLE PATCH: Sow salsify directly in the growing bed (with a tunnel in colder regions) / Sow carrot in the plot / Sow kohlrabi, indoors (70-80°F or 20-25 °C), in crates with light substrate: cover seeds thinly and keep moist / Sow leek in a cold frame for summer and fall harvests - thin every 2 inches (5 cm) soon after sprouting and transplant once before planting in the growing bed / Sow parsnip in the plot / Sow monthly cycle radishes in the plot under a cold frame or tunnel (no need for protection in mild regions).

VEGETABLE PATCH: 2nd day for sowing salsify directly in the growing bed (with a tunnel in colder regions) / Sow carrot in the plot / Sow kohlrabi, indoors (70-80°F or 20-25 °C), in crates with light substrate: cover seeds thinly and keep moist / Sow leek in a cold frame for summer and fall harvests - thin every 2 inches (5 cm) soon after sprouting and transplant once before planting in the growing bed / Sow parsnip in the plot / Sow monthly cycle radishes in the plot under a cold frame or tunnel (no need for protection in mild regions).

VEGETABLE PATCH: 3rd day for sowing salsify directly in the growing bed (with a tunnel in colder regions) / Sow carrot in the plot / Sow kohlrabi, indoors (70-80°F or 20-25 °C), in crates with light substrate: cover seeds thinly and keep moist / Sow leek in a cold frame for summer and fall harvests - thin every 2 inches (5 cm) soon after sprouting and transplant once before planting in the growing bed / Sow parsnip in the plot / Sow monthly cycle radishes in the plot under a cold frame or tunnel (no need for protection in mild regions).

Before 11:22 AM, root day:

VEGETABLE PATCH: 4th day for sowing salsify directly in the growing bed (with a tunnel in colder regions) / Sow carrot in the plot / Sow kohlrabi, indoors (70-80°F or 20-25 °C), in crates with light substrate: cover seeds thinly and keep moist / Sow leek in a cold frame for summer and fall harvests - thin every 2 inches (5 cm) soon after sprouting and transplant once before planting in the growing bed / Sow parsnip in the plot / Sow monthly cycle radishes in the plot under a cold frame or tunnel (no need for protection in mild regions).

After 11:22 AM, entering a flower day:

LANDSCAPING: Short span of time, before the moon starts descending in the evening, to sow cup-and-saucer vine (in nursery pots), hibiscus moscheutos, New Guinea impatiens; transfer to the ground after the last frost / In the growing bed directly, sow annuals that don't fear the cold: everlasting, centaury, love-in-a-mist, sweet alyssum, delphinium, clarkia, sweet pea (with a lattice for this last one) / In the ground, under shelter, start sowing whiteweed, columbine, four o'clock flower, gypsophila, carnation, Aztec marigold, all to be transferred to the ground in May / Cut wilted tulip stems, but don't remove leaves until completely yellow.

LANDSCAPING: Prune buddleia, perovskia, crape myrtle, etc if not done already / Transplant begonia and pelargonium into individual pots from those sown in January or February / Divide lily-of-the-Nile, rudbeckia, aster, Jupiter's helm... / Transplant lilac bought in containers to the ground / Plant lily-of-the-valley root cuttings.

VEGETABLE PATCH: Remove ridges or mulch from your artichoke stems; retain only 2 or 3 offshoots (buds) per plant, and re-plant the ones you cut off elsewhere in groups of 3.

Before 5:05 PM (17:05), flower day:

LANDSCAPING: 2nd day to prune buddleia, perovskia, crape myrtle, etc if not done already / Transplant begonia and pelargonium into individual pots from those sown in January or February / Divide lily-of-the-Nile, rudbeckia, aster, Jupiter's helm... / Transplant lilac bought in containers to the ground / Plant lily-of-the-valley root cuttings.

VEGETABLE PATCH: 2nd day to remove ridges or mulch from your artichoke stems; retain only 2 or 3 offshoots (buds) per plant, and re-plant the ones you cut off elsewhere in groups of 3.

After 5:05 PM (17:05), entering a leaf day:

VEGETABLE PATCH: Thin spring headed lettuce seedlings sown under a cold frame in February-March (eat the seedlings you pull out for greens), and those of spinach and dandelion / Transplant cabbage and lettuce / Plant or divide tarragon, chives, rhubarb, sorrel, lemon verbena, and provide them with compost.

LANDSCAPING: De-thatch your lawn after mowing.

Don't garden before 4:20 PM (16:20) – moon is at apogee at 11:17 AM

VEGETABLE PATCH: 2nd day for thinning spring headed lettuce seedlings sown under a cold frame in February-March (eat the seedlings you pull out for greens), and those of spinach and dandelion / Transplant cabbage and lettuce / Plant or divide tarragon, chives, rhubarb, sorrel, lemon verbena, and provide them with compost.

LANDSCAPING: 2nd day for dethatching your lawn after mowing.