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While winter is still hitting hard in many states this year, March in Phoenix is typically beautiful spring weather, making it a perfect time for gardening. Eager gardeners can start as early as mid-February, but plants that are prepped and planted during March will have enough time to root and appropriately grow before summer’s heat strikes. Steps to take before planting: 1. Location: there are two very important things to keep in mind when deciding on location-sun and space. Prime sun exposure will lead to healthy and flourishing plants. Avoid planting in areas right next to your home so you can prevent unwanted shade. Also, make sure plants have space to grow by not planting near trees, bushes or walls of the house. If possible, a raised garden bed is recommended to make soil preparation easier. 2. Clean up: If you plan on using a previous gardening platform, be sure to clean up the area and cut away any dead growth from herbs and other plants, as well as any weeds or grasses. Save grass clippings and leaves for compost. 3. Prepare soil: Once you have chosen where you want the garden to be set up, prepare your soil. We recommend using compost to protect against the approaching Phoenix heat. Be sure the soil is deep and well drained for your desired plants. What to plant: Vegetable gardens grow well during the spring in Arizona. Planting radishes, carrots, tomatoes and green onions in the spring will give the plants enough time to mature before the heat approaches. In order to attract helpful pollinators to your vegetable crop, plant flowers such as Mexican hat, marigold, hollyhock, and cosmos nearby. Vegetable gardens can be tedious to maintain, and might not be for everyone in Arizona. Plants such as perennials, cacti, transplant trees, shrubs, and succulents are lower maintenance because they are desert-adapted plants. They can also add more personality to a home. Kitchens are another great place to harvest plants. Consider growing an herb garden on your windowsill. Herbs such as basil, rosemary, lavender, sage, and lemongrass prosper nicely in spring and will survive Arizona’s summer heat if kept in pots indoors. The responsibilities of maintaining a garden are plenty, but the reward is more than worth it. Gardens teach discipline and can be a great learning experience for families with children. Start your garden today and enjoy watching your plants come alive. Jim LaBrie is a father and grandfather and the owner of Bug & Weed Mart, a do-it-yourself retail store that specializes in bug and weed prevention, with five locations. To learn more about pest prevention and protection you can visit www.bugweedmart.com or on Facebook www.facebook.com/bugandweedmart.
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gardening, spring, vegetables, planting, desert,
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