Although the welcome signs of spring are everywhere, the wise gardener will factor in the unpredictability of March weather before committing to full-blown Spring planting. There are still many projects to occupy the time until the weather gives the go-ahead for spring gardening.

Regular removal of weeds that are encroaching on the space allotted for your trees, flowers and bushes is such a simple tip that it can often be overlooked. Weeding may not be as enjoyable as planting, but it gets you outside in the fresh air and sunshine and gives the gardening area a head start for the season. With a little time and energy your planting areas will be weed free; improving the health of your existing trees and plants and prepping the space for your new plants and bulbs. So, put on those gardening clothes with the grass stained knees and grubby back pockets, grab your gloves and trowel and dig in! The weeds that are coming up now still have a shallow root system, making them easier to pull out. So get them early before they have the opportunity to become really entrenched.

March is the time to prune rose bushes. Pruning now will result in more compact bushes and longer stemmed blooms. Don’t put this task off and run the risk of pruning off buds. When the rose begins to show signs of new growth, it is time to do the necessary pruning. If you are planning to purchase new rose bushes, now is the time to purchase and plant. Resume feeding roses. A healthy, thriving rose needs to be fertilized regularly. The easiest way is to purchase a slow releasing granular rose food and work it into the soil. This method provides a timed release of the necessary nutrients the rose bush needs for the growing season.

If you haven’t already done so, perennial shrubs and ornamental trees can also be trimmed back and reshaped.

If you have shrubs and trees that need to be transplanted, late March and early April are a great time for these projects. Get this done before the plants are in full bud.

Fertilize trees and shrubs. For the best results, do a little research to determine the type of fertilizer that will give your plants the boost they need after the dormant winter period. The winter months have depleted the soil and plants of any leftover nutrients from the fall, so now is the time to feed them well and build up the soil.

Spring flowering bulbs need a little TLC in March as well.

Plant your dahlias, lilies and gladiola bulbs now. To ensure a longer time of flowering, stagger the planting of additional bulbs in 2 week intervals. This way you will have a much longer period to enjoy the blooms. You can plant bulbs until the middle of June, so intersperse the traditional summer flowering bulbs in your spring flowering beds and have continuous blooms throughout the coming spring and summer.

Proper watering is an essential requirement when bulbs are growing, starting to produce foliage and blooms are developing. Reward any bulbs that have finished blooming with bone meal or bulb booster.

Remove the dead blooms from bulbs.

The spring annuals have arrived at the local nurseries and garden centers, so now is a great time to buy some and get them planted.

Start removing winter mulching from your flower beds. Use caution and don’t get in a big hurry with this project. As the plants begin to emerge and you see new growth, gradually remove the mulch. The plants need a chance to slowly acclimate to the changes in light and temperature. Better to err on the side of caution than to remove that protective blanket early and be hit with a late season, severe weather episode.

If there are any summer blooming perennials that you want to divide or relocate, now is the time to transplant them. New growth should be appearing on your existing plants, so they are ready for a shot of fertilizer to encourage new root growth.

Generally speaking, this is the right time to fertilize and feed all your trees and shrubs and well as inspecting them for harmful insects and diseases. If you discover a problem, a dormant oil spray will usually take care of scale insects and pests.

If your zone calls for tree guards or burlap wraps as winter protection, they have done their jobs and need to be removed. To remain healthy and thriving, the tree trunk needs air movement, so strip that winter covering and let nature take over.

When you are wandering the aisles of your local garden center, resist the urge to grab that bag of lawn fertilizer. Although the grass is turning green, early spring fertilizer application is not advisable. If you fertilize too early, the grass gets the message to grow too quickly and the end result is lots of shoot development and very little root growth. Spring provides your lawn with cool temperatures that are necessary for vigorous dense, deep root development. So, hold off on applying fertilizer and let nature do its job.

If you want a real workout, grab that lawn rake and get started on lawn clean-up. Raking not only burns up quite a few calories and improves the curb appeal; it is very beneficial to the lawn. Most yards accumulate a pretty impressive amount of debris during the winter. Raking up the twigs, leaves and dead growth will provide more light and air to the soil and promote spring grass growth. Spring is a time of prolific growth for your lawn, so take care of edging and trimming early.

Spring is the right time to apply a pre-emergent to the lawn. Pre-emergence herbicides are helpful in controlling weeds before the weed seeds germinate. Check out your lawn and see what is growing before applying a pre-emergent. They are not formulated as a “one size fits all” product and you need to choose the ones that will successfully eliminate the weeds that are popping up in your lawn.

Spring is the busiest time for the avid gardener, but your local weather conditions are the ultimate guides to assist you in deciding the right time to begin the various spring planting projects in your area.