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What grows in low desert Arizona gardens in March? I’ll show you. All of these pictures come from my garden in Mesa, Arizona.
March in the low desert Arizona garden is one of the most beautiful times of the year. Take time to enjoy your garden this month. Many gardens offer garden tours during the month of March. Enjoy the beautiful weather at the tour and take note of plants, flowers, trees, and vegetables you see growing and would like to add to your landscape.
Low desert includes elevations below 3500 ft in the Southwest, such as the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas.
“Spring makes its own statement, so loud and clear that the gardener seems to be only one of his instruments, not the composer.”
Geoffrey Charlesworth
There are important garden tasks to do in March, such as pruning frost-damaged plants and thinning fruit trees (see a list of garden tasks for March below). Harvests from fall plantings are ending as planting continues for the spring and summer gardens.
Keep reading for garden inspiration, a March garden checklist, and a list of vegetables, herbs, and flowers to plant in your low desert Arizona garden in March.
Vegetables growing in the low desert Arizona garden in March
Asparagus harvests begin in late February and continue throughout the month of March. Harvest stalks that are at least ¼ inch in diameter. Let smaller stalks grow through the summer to give energy to the roots.
If you aren’t growing asparagus, consider dedicating a 4 foot by 4 foot raised bed for growing it. Plant asparagus November through February in the low desert of Arizona.
Tips for growing flowers in the low desert Arizona garden in March
In Arizona, plant sunflowers from February through July, so you can enjoy the blooms nearly year-round. Pops of yellow flowers brighten up a summer yard. Learning how to grow sunflowers is an easy way to add color and variety to a summer garden and yard.
Wildflowers planted back in the fall put on a show for much of February and March. Plant wildflower seeds of cosmos, poppies, lupine, blue flax and more in the fall.
Flowers to Plant Outside & Seeds to Start Indoors Each Month in the Low Desert of Arizona.
• PLANTING GUIDE: Each month lists annual flowers and bulbs to plant outside & seeds to start indoors.
• BLOOMING GUIDE: Photos show what may be in bloom that month.
Fruit trees in the low desert Arizona garden in March
Plant fruit trees this month. Look for trees with low chill hours (less than 400), mature early, and self-pollinate. This fruit planting guide has a list of fruit trees that do well in the low desert of Arizona.
As blossoms become fruit on your fruit trees, fruit should be thinned before it is an inch in diameter. Thin fruit within about a month after full bloom. Fruit thinned later than this lessens the chance that fruit size will increase. For more information, read this article.
Herbs in the low desert Arizona garden in March
Harvest chamomile when the petals are flat or beginning to fall back from bud. Harvest flowers on a sunny day after dew has dried. Flowers can be air-dried or dried in a dehydrator – they are dry when flower crumbles easily. Use 1 teaspoon of dried petals in a diffuser per cup of water for tea. If using fresh flowers for tea, double amounts – drying flowers concentrates the flavor and oils. Read this article for more information about how to grow chamomile.
Consider planting borage next to each tomato plant. The bees and your tomatoes will thank you. Read this article for more information about how to grow borage.
Read this article for more information about how to grow calendula.
Low Desert March To-Do List
Planting:
- March is a great time to plant citrus trees and the best month to plant watermelon.
- Plant fruit trees early in the month so they have time to settle in before the summer heat. Look for varieties that require less than 400 chill hours, have early maturing fruit, and are self-pollinating.
- Plant roses this month on the north or east sides of the yard that receive afternoon shade in the summer. Use code GARDENAZ24 at Heirloom Roses for 20% off through 2024.
- Plant cold-tolerant trees, bushes, perennials, and frost-sensitive plants such as lantana and hibiscus. Plant summer flowering shrubs. Do not over-plant; be aware of the plant’s mature size and space accordingly.
- Although the weather is still cool, think twice before planting cool-season annuals this month. It will be heating up soon, and their time in the ground will be short. Better to plant warm-season annuals when they are available.
- Plant blackberries and grapes this month.
- Plant ginger and turmeric rhizomes this month.
Watering:
- Check irrigation system and timer. Run system, and inspect all drips and sprinklers for leaks and proper watering.
- As temperatures heat up, annual plants will need more frequent watering. Water to a depth of about 6 inches, and allow top of soil to dry out before watering again.
- Check containers with a moisture meter or make sure top inch or so of soil has dried out before watering.
- Water established citrus trees once every 2-3 weeks.
- Water established fruit trees once every 7-10 days.
- Wateruseitwisely.com is a helpful resource for landscape watering guidelines.
Pruning:
- Pinch back basil plants when they have several sets of true leaves to encourage bushy plants rather than spindly ones.
- Prune frost damage from frost-tender plants such as hibiscus and lantana this month.
- If you haven’t already, prune established roses and deciduous fruit trees. Clean up all fallen leaves and debris to discourage disease and insects.
- Prune dead branches out of cold-hardy trees and shrubs.
- If you didn’t do it in February, prune grape vines before they begin to leaf out.
- March is the perfect month to prune evergreen trees and shrubs.
- Clean up and remove dead or damaged wood and crossing branches on citrus.
- Do not prune newly-planted trees or shrubs.
Fertilizing:
- Fertilize deciduous fruit trees and citrus if you didn’t do it in February.
- Prepare soil for planting by adding compost.
- Do not fertilize newly-planted trees or shrubs.
- Fertilize trees and shrubs in your yard as needed. Native trees and shrubs do not require extra fertilization.
- Fertilize blackberries with a balanced fertilizer.
Yard to do and clean-up:
- Thin fruit on deciduous fruit trees. This article will help explain the process.
- Remove spent winter-growing annuals. Stressed plants attract pests.
- Thin warm-season annuals to keep plants from overcrowding each other.
- Clean up and remove dead or damaged wood and crossing branches on citrus.
- Remove dead plants in yard. Look at the landscape and make note of how plants look and their performance. March is a good time to transplant and move plants within your yard to areas where they get more or less sun, depending on the needs of the plants.
- Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base of shrubs and trees. Mulching reduces soil temperatures and adds organic matter to the soil.
What to plant in the low desert Arizona garden in March:
Before Planting:
Vegetables, Herbs & Fruit to plant in the low desert in March
(Click the link to read “How to Grow” articles on my website.)
After March 15th
SEED, TRANSPLANT, OR BOTH? S = Seed T= Transplant
Vegetable, Herb, and Fruit Planting Guide for the Low Desert of Arizona
The ultimate resource for gardeners in arid regions with hot summers and mild winters—designed specifically for the low desert of Arizona.
It features information on how and when to start seeds indoors and when to transplant them outside for nearly 100 different fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
Vegetable, herb, and fruit seeds to start indoors during March
(Click the link for seed sources.)
- PLANTING GUIDE: Each month lists vegetables, fruit & herbs to plant outside & seeds to start indoors.
- HARVEST GUIDE: Photos show what may be ready to harvest that month.
- Planting dates are for the low desert of Arizona (zone 9b).
Flowers to plant in the low desert garden in March
(Click the link to read “How to Grow” articles on my website.)
- Alyssum (ST)
- Amaryllis (bulb)
- Angelonia (T)
- Bee Balm (ST)
- Canna (rhizome)
- Chamomile (T)
- Coleus (T)
- Coreopsis (ST)
- Cosmos (S)
- Creeping Zinnia (ST)
- Dahlia (tuber)
- Dusty Miller (T)
- English Daisy (T)
- Feverfew (T)
- Four O’Clock (S)
- Gaillardia (ST)
- Gazania (T)
- Geranium (T)
- Gomphrena (T)
SEED, TRANSPLANT, OR BOTH? S = Seed T= Transplant
Flower seeds to start indoors in the low desert in March
(Click the link for seed sources.)
Flowers to Plant Outside & Seeds to Start Indoors Each Month in the Low Desert of Arizona.
• PLANTING GUIDE: Each month lists annual flowers and bulbs to plant outside & seeds to start indoors.
• BLOOMING GUIDE: Photos show what may be in bloom that month.
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Angela Judd
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