063 March 2025 Gardening Guide
Dig Deeper
Episode Transcript
Hey there, green thumbs and budding gardeners! Welcome to The Keep Growing Podcast, I’m John Morgan and this is your go-to podcast for all things dirt, plants, and growing goodness. Today, we’re diving into March gardening in the Mid-Ohio Valley. Picture this: it’s February 28, 2025, as I record this, and spring is just around the corner. Whether you’re in Marietta, Huntington, or anywhere in between, March is when we shake off winter and get those gardens buzzing. So grab your trowel, maybe a cup of coffee because it’s still a bit chilly, and let’s dig in—pun intended!
First up, let’s talk weather. March is a bit of a tease—temps bounce between the 30s and 50s Fahrenheit, and frost can sneak up like an uninvited guest. The last frost usually hits late-April, so we’re playing it smart with cold-hardy plants and some indoor action. I’m leaning on two awesome resources today: the March 2025 Almanac and the Early Spring Prep Blog over on our website at bobsmarket.com. Links are in the show notes, so check ‘em out!
Alright, let’s break it down week by week—think of this as your gardening to-do list with a side of fun. Here at Bob’s we time everything by the week of the year, the first week of March is Week 10. Week 10, March 3rd to 9th, is all about prepping. Order those rhubarb crowns and funky seed potatoes—think purple ones for a garden glow-up. Start seeds indoors like globe artichokes and leeks—they need a head start. Outdoors, pop in shallots and onion sets; they’re tough enough for the chill. Oh, and turn that compost pile—it’s like giving your soil a gourmet meal. Bonus: Daylight Saving Time kicks in on the 9th, so we get more evening garden time!
Week 11, March 10th to 16th, gets juicier. Indoors, seed lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, peppers, and Swiss chard. Tomatoes and peppers need 6-8 weeks before they move outside, so you’re right on time. Outdoors, sow peas, radishes, and more spinach—these champs love cool soil. Ever tried dividing rhubarb? It’s like plant surgery—super satisfying.
Grab a sharp scalpel … errr … shovel and dig around the crown, lifting the whole root ball out—think of it as unpotting a giant houseplant. Shake off excess soil to see the roots clearly. Look for natural sections with 2-3 buds (those little pink nubs) per chunk—these are your new plants. Use a clean knife or spade to slice through the crown, separating each section. Replant them right away, about 3 feet apart, with buds 1-2 inches below the soil. Water well, and voilà—you’ve multiplied your rhubarb empire! Just don’t harvest the first year—let them settle in.
Week 12, March 17th to 23rd—top of the mornin to St. Patrick’s Day! Seed celery and eggplant indoors, and outdoors, go for parsnips and salsify—say that five times fast! Transplant head lettuce, asparagus, and strawberry plants. The almanac says figs too, but fair warning: they might need a cozy blanket come winter. Fertilize those spring bulbs for a bloom party, and plant some roses—because who doesn’t love a little romance in the garden?
Week 13, March 24th to 30th, rounds us out. Seed lavender indoors—smells amazing already—and rosemary outdoors if the soil’s not too soggy. Plant table grapes and horseradish for a zesty twist, and fertilize asparagus and rhubarb beds. If you’ve got dogwoods, start anthracnose control—keep those trees happy. It’s a busy week, but you’re building something awesome.
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Now, let’s zoom out for some big-picture tips as we prepare for the busy gardening season. Step one: assess your garden. Check for winter damage—did the snow snap anything? Clean up debris, yank early weeds, and sanitize those tools—nobody wants plant germs. Step two: soil prep. Get a soil test—pH and nutrients matter! Add compost or manure, and fluff it up if it’s compacted. Step three: plan your layout. Sketch it out—rotate crops, pair buddies like tomatoes and basil, and dream big!
If you’re local, hit up a workshop. I will be hosting a workshop on raised beds in Gallipolis, OH on April 11th and then, our annual Spring Color Tour will be on April 12th.
A quick pro tip: frost protection is your best friend in late March and early April. Row covers or old sheets work wonders for those chilly nights, especially for transplants like figs or early lettuce.
Biggest rookie mistake? Planting in wet, frozen soil—wait till it’s workable, or you’ll be cursing soggy seeds. And splurge on quality seeds from a local spot like Botanical Interests from our own stores—healthy starts mean happy harvests.
So, what’s the takeaway? March is your warm-up lap—seed indoors, plant tough stuff outside, and prep like a pro. Whether you’re cleaning beds and prepping soil or just dodging frost, adapt to the weather and have fun. Picture those peas popping up, those tomatoes ripening—it’s all starting now!
That’s it for this month, folks! If you loved this, drop a review or share it with your gardening crew. Next time, we’ll tackle the first week of April as we get back into gardening season with weekly episodes—think flowers and sunshine. Until then, get those hands dirty, your spirits high, and, of course, keep growing.
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For a full transcript of this episode and more, check out the show notes at bobsmarket.com/keepgrowing. Copyright 2025 Bob’s Market and Greenhouses, Inc.
