Timely Tips

What to Do in March 2026
Weekly Gardening Timely Tips from
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester County

March 1 to 7

Perennials: It is still possible in March to have temperatures that range from a daytime high over 60°F to lows near zero at night. Early spring perennials have begun to grow, and some early flowering hardy bulbs are in bloom. While most of these can handle the cold, they could sustain injury to blossoms and new growth when temperatures plunge quickly from unseasonably warm to sub-freezing conditions. Hardy plant roots and shoots can survive and regrow, but this year’s flower buds that sustain injury could be ruined. Keep an eye on the forecast for cold weather (below 20-25°F). Be ready to protect favorite early perennials with a light, easily removable mulch that won’t crush tender blossoms (such as lightweight pine boughs) to help minimize injury.

Flowers: Take cuttings of indoor plants now to use as bedding plants in late spring, such as begonia, coleus and plectranthus (spur flower, Cuban oregano, Swedish ivy and relatives), geranium, and others.

Fruits and Vegetables: Harvest root vegetables still in the ground, such as beets, carrots, and parsnips, for use before they sprout new green growth and begin to flower. Flower buds of collards, kale and other cole crops can be used along with the greens, or left to bloom to use for garnishes or forage for bees. Continue to start seeds indoors of broccoli, cabbage and other cool season vegetables grown as transplants.

Trees and Shrubs: Continue to remove dead and storm damaged branches and stems. Finish pruning oaks before new growth begins. Hire an arborist to do bigger jobs safely. Spotted lanternfly (SLF) egg masses may be present on trees and many landscape surfaces. SLF is a major agricultural threat that can kill crops (grapes, fruit trees and others) and affect landscape plants. Seehttps://nysipm.cornell.edu/environment/invasive-species-exotic-pests/spotted-lanternfly/.Crush as many eggs as you can find. Use a card to scrape them off of surfaces into a sealable bag, squish, and discard in trash.

Lawns: If the ground is not muddy or soggy, you can pick up twigs, leaves and other debris. Check for vole injury that occurred over winter. Plan to reseed bare spots when soil temperatures reach 50°F at a depth of 2 inches.

Houseplants: Houseplants begin to perk up in response to the lengthening days. You can start to water more liberally as new growth appears and apply fertilizer according to label directions if needed. Remove standing water in the pot base and do not let the soil become soggy (unless you are growing a Venus flytrap or other bog plants). A turkey baster designated just for this purpose is useful for removing excess water from the saucers of large pots. Ferns and moisture-loving tropical rainforest plants should be watered when the soil surface feels dry to the touch. Avoid overwatering by allowing the top half inch of soil to dry between waterings for most houseplants. Unless the pot is very small, allow at least an inch of dry soil between waterings for cacti and succulents.

General: Join us as we discuss climate anxiety in the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester 2026 Home Garden Lecture Series: Climate Anxiety: How to Help.

Wednesday, Mar. 18 from 10 to 11 am, remote on Zoom, $5. All lectures are remote on Zoom. A ticket to any single remote lecture is $5 and the tour is $20 (while there is space).

Speaker: Dr. Matt Aiello-Lammens is an Associate Professor in the Environmental Studies and Science department at Pace University. He has studied anthropogenic impacts on plant communities, risks associated with species declines, and factors leading to invasive species spread with an eye toward understanding and protecting northeastern forests. Matt Aiello-Lammens has BA in Physics, a PhD in Ecology and Evolution, and was a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Connecticut.

Check out the brochure at https://www.canva.com/design/DAG37gykNic/RGq-kIdH95APY6-bKoGQYw/view?utm_content=DAG37gykNic&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hcc45ab7c29 For more information, please call CCE at 914-285-4640, 914-285-4620 or email westchester@cornell.edu

Last updated March 2, 2026