March

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Weather 
On average the temperature ranges from around 30 degrees at night to 60 degrees during the day, but it changes daily. One day it is warm and sunny; the next it is snowing. You can expect, on average, about 2 inches of snow in March. The only constant is the wind, which can blow sand in a vertical sheet. (Where you live in town will make a difference in how much wind you get). It’s a singularly frustrating month to be a gardener!
The warm, mild days in February created the illusion that spring was almost here. In fact, some of the dreariest days of winter lie ahead – in March! Although the day time temperatures continue to rise, the weather is very unsettled and very windy. By March, wannabe gardeners are chomping at the bit to begin planting. Yet, wary nursery growers have only the barest of offerings on their perennial shelves. Keep that in mind next January and plant some seed flats of your own.

What’s Blooming 
Pussy willow (Salix caprea), iris, forsythia, crocus, redbud (Cercis) and wisteria are flowering. Bulb displays include daffodils, snowdrops, Triteleia, hyacinths, and early tulips. All the fruit trees are in bloom this month: apricot (if the blooms haven’t frozen), plum, pear, peach, nectarine, apple, crabapple, cherry and quince. By the end of the month, creeping Phlox (P. subulata), Iceland poppies (Papaver nudicaule), and mid-season tulips are in bloom. Some lilacs and spirea also bloom.

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