“In March winter is holding back and spring is pulling forward. Something holds and something pulls inside of us too.” – Jean Hersey, American author

What a deliciously cold winter we’ve had. Hopefully, March will bring us an equally delightful spring that provides rain, sunshine and perennials that have survived the winter temperatures.

Here are a few garden tasks to consider for this month.

• Remove dead plant material: Clear out dead or damaged plants, fallen leaves and other debris to reduce the risk of disease.

• Prune dead wood: Trim back dead or damaged branches from trees, shrubs and perennials.

• Prune trees and shrubs. Late winter to early spring is the best time to prune. Make sure you prune before bud break, especially for flowering shrubs.

• Wait to prune spring-blooming trees and shrubs: Wait until after they bloom to prune trees and shrubs that bloom prior to June 15, such as lilacs, forsythia and flowering cherries.

• Inspect your lawn. Consider applying a balanced fertilizer as the temperatures rise.

• Aerate the lawn: Aerate to allow better water and nutrient absorption, but only do this once the soil has thawed.

• Rake the lawn: Rake up leftover debris from fall and winter and lightly dethatch the lawn if necessary to encourage healthy growth.

• Start preparing the soil and amend: If your soil is sandy or heavy clay, now is a good time to amend it with compost or organic matter.

• Start seeds indoors: If you plan to grow vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers or herbs, start them indoors this month to give them a head start.

• Plant perennials: Don’t forget that some perennials start well indoors. A great goal to have is “a garden that always has something in bloom.” A few that you might try are Shasta daisies, Black-eyed Susans, penstomen, native bluebells, columbine and coneflower.

• Prepare for frost and watch the weather: March can still bring frosty nights and the occasional blizzard, so have frost protection (i.e. row covers, cloches or old bed sheets) on hand and ready to put outside.

• Cold frames or greenhouses: If you’re eager to get started, consider using cold frames or a greenhouse.

• Order seeds and supplies. Seeds can sell out early, so sooner is better than later.

• Lay out your garden: Plan your garden for the year — whether it’s a vegetable garden, flower beds or a combination of both.

• Remember those grasshoppers, aphids, spider mites and caterpillars? Removing debris accumulated over autumn and winter may help managing these pests.

The growing season will be here before you know it. Let the race to get that perfect tomato begin.

Submit gardening questions to csumg2@elpasoco.com or call 719-520-7684. The in-person help desk remains closed for the season.