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March Gardening In The Low Desert - Page 2

© Pat Kolb

For those vegetables you already have growing in your garden, fertilize with an organic fertilizer or a 20-10-10 slow release fertilizer. Remember, in our growing conditions fertilizer is important so that the soil is not depleted of its nutrients.

If you have a winter lawn, it needs fertilizer as well but if you have dormant Bermuda, don't fertilize until active growth begins - when nighttime temperatures are above 60 degrees.

Vines - Pink Trumpet Vine (Podranea ricasoliana is a native of South Africa, is thrives in heat and full sun though it may be also be planted in light shade. It has lush, lacy-looking foliage and bright pink, 2 - 3 inch wide trumpet-shaped flowers. This 20 foot long twining vine is evergreen down to about 28 degrees. In the low 20's, it dies back but comes back vigorously with warm temps. It needs moderate water for best results. Other good choices are Boston ivy, Carolina jessamine, Japanese honeysuckle, Lady Banks' rose, silver lace vine, trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans), Virginia creeper, and wisteria. See Pink Trumpet Vine (Podranea ricasoliana) and other plants for arid climates.

Fertilize plants with a balanced mix. For flowering trees and shrubs, use a fertilizer that contains phosphate and potassium, such as 18-5-10 or any balanced fertilizer that has a middle number in the 5 - 10 range. Give your flowers a boost by using a water-soluble bloom stimulator or a slow-release such as a 14-12-14 preparation.

Later in the month, after the soil has warmed mulch roses, shrubs, trees, flowers, and cool season vegetables with 3" - 4" of organic material. Keep mulch away from stems of plants wherever possible. Wait until April to mulch warm season vegetables.

Compost with weeds, leaves, straw, vegetable waste, etc. If you don't have a compost bin or pile, now is a good time to start one.

After March 15, prune frost damaged wood on plants, cutting back to green wood and then fertilize plants with slow-release fertilizer.

A tip I found in Phoenix Home & Garden: A mix of orange peels and water pureed in a blender and poured into an ant hill early in the morning will keep ants away. It's worth a try.

Now, enjoy!

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