“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.” Charles Dickens.

“With rushing winds and gloomy skies, the dark and stubborn winter dies: far-off, unseen, Spring faintly cries, bidding her earliest child arise. March!” Bayard Taylor.

Early March brings daytime temps in the high 60’s and night-time temps in the 40’s dipping into the 30’s at one point. The official starting of spring (March 20) is only days away with Easter following that on April 1. And the March winds are arriving, so all things are pointing towards springtime and time to get outdoors for some spring cleaning, planting, and all those activities accompanying this time of the year.

As you frequently visit the local garden centers, always read the labels on plants, fertilizers and pesticides before you purchase. This strategy will help keep you better informed on these various gardening items, as well as help you make wiser purchases. Some pointers to consider as you return to the landscape this spring include the following items.

Bedding plants: Make your selections of annuals and perennials wisely. Carefully read the label for planting directions, culture and exposure. Also, color and size will affect your choices. Be sure that all 30’s degree weather has passed before transplanting. After transplanting, cut existing flowers from plants to insure better nutrient absorption for vegetative growth and healthier plants. The next batch of flowers will be more attractive with magnificent curb appeal.

Citrus: Wait until the last frost is passed before planting any citrus trees. If you have made your purchases, acclimate these plants in your carport or garage for cold protection until their planting time arrives. Also, after all 30’s weather has passed, remove any dead limbs that were killed during the cold weather of winter.

Ground covers: These are perfect plants to introduce in areas especially where lawn grass is difficult to establish and maintain. Be aware of the needs and rate of growth of your choices. Some ground covers should be used only in large areas due to their fast rate of growth. Again, read the label for specific information, especially sun/shade requirements. Also, be reminded that some groundcovers can harbor snakes, rodents and other varmints. Do not use invasive ground covers.

Herbs: Select those you wish to grow from such plants as basil, dill, catnip, chamomile, chives, mints, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, sweet fennel, sweet marjoram, thyme, among others. Use of these plants in the landscape should be based upon available space, site conditions and personal preference.

Knockout roses: If you haven’t already done so, it is safe to cut back your knock out roses to their designated height and shape. Following pruning, apply a knockout rose fertilizer at the rate designated on the label. These fertilizers will contain approximately 3% nitrogen, 4% phosphate, 3% potash, 9% calcium, 0.5% magnesium, 1% sulfur and perhaps colony forming units of bacteria, endomycorrhizae, ectomycorrhizae, and archaea.

Sago palms: Be aware that this plant is deadly to dogs. Its dried nut-like seed contains toxins which causes liver and kidney failure in your pet. There is no antidote for these toxins, thus medications to flush them from the liver is the only alternative with only a 50% survival rate at best.

Vines: Confederate jasmine and creeping fig need some winter protection since vegetation directly exposed to cold weather conditions can be damaged. If you are wanting only native plant selections, then do not use exotic plants (those introduced from other areas) or naturalized plants (once exotic and have become very tolerant of local conditions). Do not select invasive vines.

Wildflowers: Wildflowers for the sun or shade include flame azalea, wild columbine, violet dogtooth, hepatica, great lobelia, and wild blue phlox. Wildflowers for the sun include Aaron’s rod, birdfoot violet, bluets, butterfly weed, evening primrose, fire pink, southern harebell, pitcher plant, Queen Anne’s lace, shooting star, smartweed, turkscap lily, stiff verbena, yellow-eyed grass, among others.

Wildflowers for the shade include trailing arbutus, white baneberry, beardtongue, bugbane, Cardinal flower, fairybells, fairy wand, foamflower, galax, false goatsbeard, crested dwarf iris, lady’s slipper, Oconee bells, yellow fringed orchid, snowy orchid, fringed phacelia, spiderwort, Solomon’s seal, toadshade, Greek valerian, green wake-robin, wild ginger, wintergreen, among others.

Several wildflower seed mixes are available for the southeast (with some up to 26 species included), as well as a native wildflower seed mixes (17 species including scarlet sage, blazing star, spiderwart, among others), a dry area wildflower mix with 25 different species, an all annual wildflower seed mix, a deer-resistant wildflower mix, a butterfly-hummingbird wildflower seed mix, and many others. One common mix for Georgia includes white yarrow, cornflower, partridge pea, lanceleaf coreopsis, plains coreopsis, larkspur, California poppy, annual gaillardia, baby blue eyes, corn poppy, blackeyed susan, blue salvia, and crimson clover.

Always think native and sustainable plants in the landscape and give them higher selection priority than exotic and naturalized plants. And, remember that one gardener’s weed is another gardener’s flower; just be aware of the level of negativity and invasiveness of certain plants and refrain from using them in the landscape.

Landscaping is a matter of personal choices. However, such choices should be made based upon plant knowledge and awareness, as well as understanding sustainability, invasiveness, and design. Learn what to use and what not to use. Talk to your specialists and garden club friends about possibilities. Always think sustainability and native plants throughout the planning process!

May the results of your immediate efforts be long-lasting so that you can enjoy the fruits of your labor for seasons to come. Keep your hanging baskets and potted plants refreshed with water and food. Remember to feed and water the songbirds, and give your pets the care they need. Please note that the owls and the hawks are out looking for prey so keep your little pets safe. Also, be on lookout for children playing and bicyclists riding along the streets and roadways throughout our communities as the weather continues its warming trend. Remember to share the road with motorcycles. Don’t drive distracted or impaired, and don’t text while driving. As you receive blessings, always pay them forward and share with others, helping the homeless every chance you get. Let’s keep everyone safe!

Many thanks to all who read this column which is an effort to provide each reader with timely and useful information. It is a small contribution on my part in “paying it forward” to my readers. In keeping with this thought, many of you know that we are planning our annual mission trip to the Peru this summer. We are currently raising funds to help finance this mission trip (discipleship journey). If you feel led to do so and would like to donate to this cause, please make a check payable to Heritage Church and mail to Eddie Seagle, Peru Mission Team, 108 Tallokas Circle, Moultrie, GA 31788. We would appreciate your prayers for a safe journey as well, and many thanks to each of you.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23.

Seagle is a Sustainability Associate, Golf Environment Organization (Scotland), Agronomist and Horticulturalist, CSI: Seagle (Consulting Services International), Professor Emeritus and Honorary Alumnus (Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College), Distinguished Professor for Teaching and Learning (University System of Georgia) and Short Term Missionary (Heritage Church, Moultrie). Direct inquiries to csi_seagle @yahoo.com.