| Warm weather is within sight for gardeners, | | | | Place small whole potatoes or pieces of potato |
| meaning plenty of planting opportunities in March, | | | | with at least one or two "eyes (the best variety |
| says Agromin, a Camarillo-based manufacturer of | | | | are available at garden centers) six to eight inches |
| premium soil products and one of the state's | | | | deep in rows. Cover with four inches of compost. |
| largest green materials recycling companies. | | | | Water regularly but don't soak. Potatoes grow |
| | | | | between the planted pieces and the surface of |
| Planting From Seed: Nothing can be more | | | | the soil. As stems grow, continue to add soil half |
| gratifying for a gardener than to watch | | | | way up the stem. Harvest the potatoes three |
| vegetables and flowers grow from seed. Many | | | | weeks after the plants have finished flowering. |
| plants grow healthier and stronger from seed by | | | | |
| avoiding the trauma of transplanting. Local | | | | Water Management: Water rationing may be a |
| nurseries carry an assortment of seed packs. | | | | fact of life by July. Start to conserve water now |
| Follow the directions carefully for the best results. | | | | by only watering when your soil is thoroughly dry. |
| | | | | Deep water to force roots downward where soil |
| Warm Season Flowers And Vegetables: Cool | | | | typically is moister. Place several inches of mulch |
| season gardens should have grown beautifully this | | | | around your plants, shrubs and trees to hold in |
| year because of our mild winter. March signals a | | | | moisture and lengthen the time between |
| changeover from cool season to warm season | | | | waterings. |
| flowers and vegetables. Plant spring flowers such | | | | |
| as marigolds, petunias, freesias, gladiolus, daffodils | | | | Lawn Maintenance: keep cool season grass |
| and grape hyacinths. March is the perfect time to | | | | (bluegrass, ryegrasses, fescues) blades at about |
| plant beans, summer and winter squash, corn, | | | | two inches high. Increase to three inches in |
| eggplant, onion, peppers, turnips and some spring | | | | summer. As the weather warms, mow regularly |
| tomatoes. | | | | to keep weeds in check and to promote thicker |
| | | | | lawns. Warm season grass (Bermuda, St. |
| Potato Planting: A fun garden project for kids is to | | | | Augustine and zoysia) should be cut at a steady |
| plant potatoes. Start by filling your planting area | | | | two-inch level throughout spring and summer. |
| with about four inches of compost. Water well. | | | | |