Balance, Harmony, Renewal
This year the Spring Equinox (or Vernal Equinox) falls on Thursday, March 20, 2025, and arrives at 3:01 a.m. CST.
Traditionally the concepts of renewal, balance, new beginnings are thought of at this time of year. We are moving into the warmth of the light and nature wakes up after winter, allowing equal amounts of day and night on the Spring Equinox. During the equinox, the Earth’s axis and its orbit line up so that both hemispheres get an equal amount of sunlight.
The word equinox comes from two Latin words meaning equal and night. That’s because on the equinox, day and night last almost the same amount of time, though one may get a few extra minutes, depending on where you are on the planet.
For those north of the equator, daylight will keep stretching longer, with earlier sunrises and later sunsets, until the summer solstice in June. The new season signals warmer weather, budding plants and migrating animals.
One of my favorite memories is seeing Daffodils (Narciso) arrive at my local market, in late winter or early spring. For me this was a promise and hope that spring was just around the corner. I’d buy the beautiful, inexpensive bouquets to place on my breakfast nook table. They illuminated my home and soul.
If spring brings with it thoughts of balance, harmony and renewal then I say, “bring it on!” We truly could use this right now at the beginning of this new year.
What to plant in March
March is still cool at night and can be windy with no rain until mid-June. It’s beginning to get hot in the afternoons. You will find Iris, Lantana, Daylilies, Gerberas, Lobelia and Acanthus at the Viveros, as well as many more year-round blooming plants. Those glorious purple trees that are usually in bloom now are Jacarandas. The seeds of flowers that do best in the hot, dry season, such as calendulas and Salvias, should be planted. Start Begonias, Impatiens, periwinkle, rock cress and passionflower vine. Cut snapdragons back sharply after blooming and new growth will appear. Remember to water well after you fertilize. Mist Fuchsias and orchids regularly.
Outdoors, sow or transplant beets, carrots, celery, chard, herbs, Jerusalem artichokes, kale, leeks, lettuces, green onions, bulb onion seed and sets, parsley, peas, peanuts, potatoes, radishes, shallots, spinaches, strawberries, and turnips. Transplant broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and kohlrabi seedlings.
Wildflowers can still be sown and are suitable in many areas where other plantings don’t seem to thrive. Wildflowers don’t want fertilized soil. Consider landscaping with plants that thrive under conditions of drought and neglect. Flowering annuals include Alyssum, Cosmos, Gazania, Geranium, Helichrysum, marigold, morning glory, Phlox, Portulaca, Thunbergia, Verbena, Vinca, and Zinnia. Shrubs include Ceanothus, coffee berries, pineapple guavas, rockroses, and Verbenas (an especially good ground cover.)
Indoors, sow eggplant, pepper, and tomato seeds for transplanting into the garden in late April or early May.
It turns out that snails and slugs love citrus trees … at least they seem to love mine. If you’re not getting any citrus fruit, the snails may have beaten you to them. Or in my case the local tlacuache (opossums) also share the wealth. To keep snails, slugs and ants from crawling up the trunks of your trees use Joker Rojo.
After clipping and digging in green manure crops, wait about two weeks before transplanting vegetable and flower seeds or seedlings. This will allow the greenery to decay sufficiently to provide nutrients for the new plantings. The heat produced from the decomposing green manure will burn seeds trying to sprout or transplants trying to get settled in.
“In all things of nature there is something marvelous.”
– Aristotle
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Where can we buy butterfly begonias?
Hola Betty, thank you for the inquiry. The butterfly begonia, being native to Asia, likes high humidity, indirect sun and rich well drained soil with consistent watering.
Because our humidity here is low compared to Asia, I have not seen any of these begonias on sale in the area. They are stunning. I’ll ask my providers to see if they might be able to order some. Will keep you informed.
Be well, Fco.