Spring Is Coming – But Is Your Garden Ready?

March can be tricky for gardeners in Oak Ridge, Knoxville, and surrounding areas. One day, the sun is shining, and it feels like spring has finally arrived. The next, a cold snap rolls in, reminding us that winter isn’t quite finished.

If you’re like most homeowners, you’re eager to get outside and start planting, but you might also be wondering: “Is it too soon? What should I be doing right now?” You might even feel a little overwhelmed looking at your garden beds—maybe they’re full of weeds, or your shrubs look half-dead from the winter chill.

We get it. At Willow Ridge Garden Center & Landscaping, we help people just like you transition from winter into spring without the guesswork. March is a critical month for setting up your landscape for success, and if you take the right steps now, your garden will thrive all season long.

Here’s exactly what you need to do in March to prepare your lawn, flower beds, and garden for a beautiful and healthy spring.

  1. Assess Winter Damage & Prepare for Growth

Before jumping into planting, take a walk around your yard. Winter can be rough on plants, especially after sudden freezes and temperature swings. Here’s what to check for:

  • Dead or damaged branches – Look for limbs on trees and shrubs that didn’t survive the winter. They’ll be dry, brittle, and possibly discolored. If they snap easily, they’re dead and should be removed.
  • Matted-down leaves and debris – If your beds are still covered in last fall’s leaves, it’s time to clear them away. A thick layer can smother new growth.
  • Soil condition – If your soil is compacted, your plants might struggle to take root. Loosening the soil now will make a big difference later.

Once your yard is cleaned up, it’s time to revive your lawn and landscape beds.

  1. Reviving Your Lawn & Landscape Beds

Your lawn is waking up, but after months of dormancy, it needs some care. Here’s what to focus on:Island Bed Landscaping

  • Overseeding Bare Patches – If your lawn has thin or patchy areas, March is a great time to overseed. Choose a grass variety that matches your existing lawn, and rake the area lightly before spreading the seed to improve soil contact. Keep the area moist until the new grass is established.
  • Aeration & Dethatching – If your lawn feels compacted, aerating can help water and nutrients reach the roots. A thick layer of thatch (a mat of dead grass and roots) can also prevent healthy growth, so raking or dethatching can make a big difference.
  • Mulching – A fresh layer of mulch not only gives your landscape beds a finished look but also helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.
  1. Pruning: What to Cut and What to Leave?

March is the perfect time to trim and shape your plants, but not everything should be pruned right now.

Prune now:

  • Summer-blooming shrubs like butterfly bush and crepe myrtle
  • Overgrown evergreens
  • Dead or damaged branches on trees and shrubs

Wait to prune:

  • Spring-flowering shrubs like azaleas, forsythia, and lilacs—wait until after they bloom
  • Newly planted trees and shrubs—let them establish first before heavy pruning

Using the right tools makes a big difference. Dull or dirty pruning shears can damage plants, so sharpen your blades before you start.

  1. Early Planting: Vegetables, Flowers & Shrubs

Not everything can handle the unpredictable March weather, but some plants thrive in cooler temperatures.

Cool-season vegetables to plant in March:

  • Lettuce
  • Spinach
  • Carrots
  • Peas
  • Broccoli

Flowers that love early spring:

  • Pansies (they can handle the cold)
  • Daffodils and tulips (if you didn’t plant bulbs in fall, pick up some pre-potted ones now)
  • Hellebores, also known as Lenten roses

Best shrubs to plant in March:

  • Boxwood
  • Hydrangeas
  • Camellias

Planting early means stronger roots and healthier plants by summer. Just keep an eye on the weather, as a late frost can still happen. If one is in the forecast, cover young plants with a sheet overnight.

  1. Soil Preparation & Composting Tips

Landscaping Knoxville, TNHealthy plants start with healthy soil. Before planting anything new, take these steps:

  • Test your soil – A simple soil test will tell you what nutrients your soil is missing so you can amend it accordingly.
  • Add compost – Mixing in organic matter improves soil structure and feeds your plants naturally. If you don’t have a compost pile yet, now’s the perfect time to start one.
  1. Weed & Pest Prevention Strategies

The biggest mistake gardeners make in March? Ignoring weeds until it’s too late.

Stop weeds before they start:

  • Apply a pre-emergent weed preventer to keep them from sprouting.
  • Mulch your garden beds to block sunlight from reaching weed seeds.

Watch for early pests:

  • Aphids love fresh spring growth—blast them off with a hose or use neem oil.
  • Slugs and snails can be controlled with natural deterrents like crushed eggshells or diatomaceous earth.
  1. Watering Strategies for Early Spring

Watering in early spring is all about balance—too much can cause rot, too little can stunt growth.

How much water do plants need in March?

  • If it hasn’t rained for more than a week, your lawn and garden might need a deep soak.
  • New plantings should be watered two to three times a week until they’re established.

Best irrigation methods:

  • Soaker hoses or drip irrigation deliver water directly to the roots, which helps prevent diseases.
  • Avoid watering in the evening, as this can lead to fungal growth overnight.
  1. Planning Ahead for a Thriving Garden

March is the best time to map out your gardening season. A little planning now saves headaches later.

  • Create a planting schedule – What will you plant in April, May, and beyond?
  • Rotate your crops – If you grow vegetables, don’t plant the same crops in the same spot each year. This helps prevent soil depletion and disease.
  • Consider companion planting – Some plants help each other grow better when planted together. For example, marigolds naturally repel pests from vegetables.
  1. Bonus: How to Attract Pollinators This Spring

A healthy garden needs pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Best flowers for pollinators:

  • Coneflowers
  • Milkweed
  • Bee balm

Avoid harmful pesticides – Many insecticides kill beneficial bugs along with the bad ones. Opt for organic solutions whenever possible.

Conclusion: Start Now for a Beautiful Spring Landscape

March is a make-or-break month for your garden. Do the work now, and you’ll have a lush, thriving yard all season long.

Need help choosing the right plants, mulch, or garden tools? Stop by Willow Ridge Garden Center & Landscaping in Oak Ridge, TN! Our team is always happy to help homeowners in Knoxville and beyond create the landscapes of their dreams.

Spring is coming—let’s get growing!