Photo Opportunity - March 2011

March is the month of Mars the Roman god of war. My meager research failed to turn up how that naming came about. I’d like to think it is because March is a war of weather; cold vs. warm, wind vs. calm, wet vs. dry are just some of the battles going on. It is also a war between light and dark. But on this we know that light will be the winner, as it always is in March. Other March references include madness (not just basketball), as in the March Hare of Alice in Wonderland. March does indeed seem mad as it changes mood seemingly without reason. Keeping in the literary mode, consider this from Wm. Shakespeare: “Daffodils, That come before the swallow does, and take, The winds of March with beauty.” It is truly an unruly and unpredictable month.

Daffodils are peeking at the light but they better be careful. A hard freeze can nip them if they don’t watch out. Flowers, the birds and the bees, all of nature rely on light. March 20th is the Spring Equinox (equal nights). The sun has been coming north and gaining momentum. Days have been getting longer and longer. This process will continue until the summer solstice when the sun, after gradually slowing down on its march north, will come to a screeching halt, change direction, and begin its annual southern journey.
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Almost all life on the earth’s surface is powered by the energy the earth intercepts from the sun. Although the amount of sunshine is relatively constant on the earth it varies depending on where and when you measure it. Depending on the season we get more or less sun shine. In the northern hemisphere we get the most in summer while the southern hemisphere gets its greatest amount during our winter. These variations are called photo periods, the amount of light received in a period of time. On March 20th the photo periods are identical, 12 hours of light and dark in both hemispheres.

These photo periods trigger many changes in plants, birds and mammals. As the days lengthen we hear the woodpeckers drumming. Other birds begin to call. Spring peepers respond. Migrating birds begin to arrive. Skunks begin to prowl as evidenced by the tracks we can follow with our noses. Ahhh, the smell of spring!

In many species changes are triggered as much by warmth as by photo periods. Plants begin to leaf out as the days warm, which of course depends on how much sunshine we receive. Our seasons, as we experience them, lag behind the astronomical season by about a month and a half. The promise of warmth signaled by the equinox won’t be realized on a sustained basis until late April or early May. The swollen buds of the early bloomers are about to break. Encased in the buds are the embryonic leaves and flowers, both in some buds and separately in others, depending on the plant.

March also begins day light savings time. This photo period still raises controversy but not as much as it used to. I remember reading a letter to the editor many years ago, in a state whose name I won’t divulge, which claimed that the extra hour of sunlight caused by daylight savings time would burn up the crops! As they say “Elections have consequences!”

Dates to remember: March 25th the Pickaway County Master Gardener Volunteers will be presenting Plant Diagnostics 101. This day long course is for master gardeners or knowledgeable gardeners who want to learn more about diagnosing plant diseases and identifying injurious insects and bugs. To learn more and to register go to our website pickawaycounty@osu.edu click on Master Gardener and find Plant Diagnostics 101.

Things to do in the garden:

Begin fertilizing houseplants with a weak solution. The increasing sunlight will be bringing them back to vigorous growth.

March and April is the time to apply a pre-emergent to the lawn. But be forewarned, pre-emergents prevent seeds from sprouting. If you plan to seed any parts of your lawn to repair winter damage or from our summer drought, don’t apply a pre-emergent. This also applies to areas where you plan to plant other seeds, whether flowers or vegetables. If you still want to control crabgrass stay clear of those areas and apply on a calm day.

How’s this for optimism? If you plant vegetables from seed you can start some in March. As you know, our last date for frost is mid-May and so most plants can wait to be started until early April. I like to start mine on Aril Fool’s Day! However hardy plants can be put out in the cool spring weather where they thrive and do better. In order to do this you can start the seeds in March. Broccoli, lettuce, onions, cabbage, and spinach
seeds can be started indoors. Beets and radish seeds can be planted outside in the garden. Potatoes, asparagus and rhubarb plants can be set outside in March. If the weather promises to be cold and wet there is a chance of the seeds sown outside rotting. If you see no sprouting, re-seed. Always check the seed packet for planting information.

As March becomes more lamb-like you can pull the mulch back from perennials and bulb beds but leave it close to cover them back up if we get a cold snap.

Consider planting deciduous trees in March. If you haven’t ordered trees do it now. Pruning and spraying fruit trees will soon be required. Consult OSU Extension bulletins for the specifics at www.ohioline.osu.edu. These chores can be intimidating for us beginners. A little knowledge can give us the confidence to jump in and forge ahead.

As you plan your plantings for the coming growing season, remember that full sun means at least six hours of direct sun per day. Anything less is considered part-shade. Full shade assumes indirect light and perhaps some filtered sun light. Anything less is deep shade. I hope that sheds a little light on the subject.