As spring approaches in the San Joaquin Valley, local gardeners are preparing for the planting season with guidance from UC Master Gardener Terry Lewis. The region’s climate is well-suited for herbs and other crops, making March an ideal time to start new plantings.
Gardeners are advised to inspect irrigation systems such as drip lines and sprinklers for any needed repairs. Flushing irrigation lines and checking sprinkler valves can help ensure proper water distribution. To protect young transplants from cutworms, using barriers like paper collars around stems is recommended.
Pruning tasks include deadheading winter annuals to extend their bloom period. For bulbs, only the spent blooms should be removed; foliage and stalks should be left to die back naturally so they can nourish next year’s growth.
Fertilization is important during this period. Stone fruit trees, pears, apples, nut trees, and berries should receive about one-third of their annual fertilizer needs now. Citrus trees should be fertilized as soon as they begin to bloom.
For those looking to add new plants, Easter lilies can be planted outdoors in full sun after their blossoms fade; these will flower again by next May or June. Seeds of annuals like alstromeria and petunia can be sown directly into garden beds. Bulbs such as fairy lily (Zephyranthes), vegetables including beets and spinach, perennials like coral bells (Heuchera), grasses such as maiden grass (Miscanthus) and fountain grass (Pennisetum), as well as various trees and shrubs may also be planted at this time.
Currently thriving in gardens are annuals and perennials like candytuft, iris, lobelia, forget-me-not (Myosotis), poppy; bulbs including ranunculus and tulip; shrubs such as orange and lilac (Syringa vulgaris); along with edible crops like potatoes, radish, rutabaga, spinach, strawberry, and turnip.
Newly established plants require consistent watering until their root systems develop fully. Gardeners are also reminded that Bermudagrass will start turning green again as soil temperatures rise.
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources enhances lives statewide by sharing science-based practices through its network of offices in all 58 California counties and nine Research and Extension Centers acting as living laboratories across diverse ecosystems (https://ucanr.edu/). The organization applies University of California expertise to support communities through research initiatives in farming, environmental conservation, wildfire protection, nutrition education programs for youth—and more—maintaining a century-long tradition of outreach (https://ucanr.edu/). Glenda Humiston serves as vice president of UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (https://ucanr.edu/).
Prepared by UC Master Gardener Terry Lewis with information adapted from A Gardener’s Companion for the Central San Joaquin Valley.
Gardeners experiencing issues can submit questions or photos to the Fresno County Master Gardeners Helpline.