15 Essential March Homesteading Tasks | Cold-Season Crops, Spring Cleanup, And Backyard Soil!

The snow might still be lingering in your backyard, but spring will be here before you know it! So now’s a great time to discuss the 15 most critical March tasks to set your homestead up for success. Let’s tackle the essential chores first! We’ll start by germinating seeds indoors, prepping soil, and maintaining the infrastructure that supports your self-sufficient lifestyle.

Sound good?

Then, let’s get our hands dirty!

15 Crucial March Homesteading Tasks

Here are our top 15 essential March homesteading tasks to help you transition smoothly into spring and ensure a productive year.

1. Amend Your Garden Soil

Rich, living soil is the foundation of a thriving homestead. Compost, aged manure, and natural minerals feed your hungry spring plants and create an entire underground ecosystem that will reward you for years. The homesteader who tends their soil with care will never go hungry!

• Test pH and amend accordingly. Adjust acidic for berries, neutral for vegetables, and alkaline for asparagus.
• Add organic matter in layers (compost, leaves, manure) to feed soil microbes, not just plants.
• Incorporate mineral supplements like rock phosphate or greensand for long-term fertility.

The most successful homesteaders don’t just grow plants. They cultivate soil that gets richer with each passing season.

2. Plant Cool-Season Vegetables

There’s something magical about harvesting crisp lettuce and sweet peas while your neighbors are still waiting for the garden center to open. Cool-season vegetables like spinach, kale, and radishes thrive in spring’s gentle temperatures and reward the early bird with the first fresh harvests of the year.

• Loosen the soil to a foot deep and mix in compost for drainage and nutrients. Cool crops crave a fluffy, fertile start to root down before the heat creeps in.
• Sow hardy crops like peas, spinach, kale, or radishes when the soil is workable. March’s chill suits them fine.
• Cover with floating row covers for frost protection and insect barriers.

The early gardener who masters cool-season crops adds an entire season to their growing year. It’s a secret advantage in the quest for self-sufficiency.

3. Prune Your New-Wood Shrubs In March For A Gorgeous Glow-Up

In March, it’s an ideal time to prune certain shrubs that bloom on new growth or are primarily grown for their foliage. A confident cut now, removing up to one-third of older stems, triggers explosive new growth where this season’s flowers will emerge. (The best timing is after the frost risk passes!)

• Hydrangeas (Paniculata And Arborescens) – These varieties bloom on new wood, making late winter to early spring the perfect window to prune and boost flowering.
• Rose Of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) – A March trim maintains its shape and spurs healthy growth and blooms.
• Butterfly Bush (Buddleia) – Pruning in late winter or early spring promotes vigorous growth and a cascade of summer blooms.
• Spirea (Japanese And Bumald Spireas) – These benefit from a March prune to refresh growth and enhance flowering.
• Smoke Bush (Cotinus coggygria) – Prune aggressively for bold leaves or lightly if you favor its smoky blooms.

Pruning in March lets you clear out dead or damaged branches, sculpt the plant and set the stage for a thriving growing season. It’s a simple step to ensure your garden shines with health and beauty all year long.

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4. Plant Fruit Trees And Shrubs

March is an excellent time to plant some fruit trees and shrubs! Establishing these perennial food producers is an act of faith and foresight. You’re planting for yourself as well as future generations. Pear, fig, cherry, nectarine, apricot, pomegranate, apple, peach, and plum are superb for March planting in zones five or above.

• Excavate a hole twice as wide and as deep as the root ball. Loose soil gives the roots room to stretch, while a sprinkle of compost whispers sweet nothings to their growth.
• Plant bare-root stock early in March while it’s still dormant. Soak roots in water for a few hours to help hydrate the tree and reduce stress.
• Anchor young trees with stakes and ties to fend off March winds. Keep them snug but not strangled so they stand tall without snapping.

For bonus points, plant your fruit trees where you can see them from your kitchen window. There’s nothing quite like watching your breakfast grow while making your coffee!

5. Level Your Backyard Soil

A level yard isn’t about aesthetics. Yard leveling helps prevent erosion, eliminates water pooling, and creates usable space for everything from chicken tractors to outdoor gatherings. This humble task might lack glamour. But it transforms your land from a wild space to a working homestead.

• Grab some stakes and string to map out uneven spots. Fill dips with topsoil and scrape down humps, aiming for a gentle grade that won’t pool water or trip your mower.
• Wait for rain-free days. Soggy soil clumps and compacts, turning your leveling job into a muddy wrestling match with Mother Nature.
• After spreading soil, use a tamper or lawn roller to firm it up. Loose dirt settles unevenly, leaving you back at square one by May.

A well-leveled yard has saved many a homesteader from twisted ankles, tipped wheelbarrows, and that most dreaded of all homestead disasters – the spilled bucket of just-collected berries!

6. Check Irrigation Systems

Water is precious liquid gold on a homestead, and a well-designed irrigation system ensures no drop goes to waste. From simple drip lines to elaborate rainwater harvesting setups, the homesteader who masters water management gains independence from drought and municipal water bills.

• Turn on the system to clear out winter’s debris, like dead bugs, sediment, or ice chunks. Ensure the water flows free and unclogged to every drip or sprinkler.
• Walk the setup, eyeing hoses, emitters, and valves for cracks, leaks, or chewed spots from curious critters. Patch or replace anything that’s sprung a surprise fountain.
• Run a cycle to check coverage. Adjust heads or timers so every bed gets a drink, not a flood, and dry patches don’t sulk in neglect.

Want an advanced gardening hack? Delivering diluted nutrients through irrigation water can cut your fertilizing workload significantly, potentially by half, depending on your current methods.

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7. Sharpen Lawnmower Blades

A clean cut from sharp blades makes your lawn look chic and tidy. It also promotes healthier grass growth and reduces disease. (Shorter grass also robs ticks of the environment they enjoy most.) This simple maintenance task embodies the homesteader’s philosophy. Care for your tools, and they’ll care for your land.

• Disconnect the spark plug and tip the mower on its side (carburetor up) to avoid fuel spills. Turning off the spark plug ensures your mower stays off. A sharp blade’s no good if you’re out of commission!
• Use a metal file or angle grinder at a 45-degree angle, following the blade’s original bevel. Smooth, even strokes keep it keen without over-thinning the edge.
• Check the blade’s balance on a screwdriver shank or balancer after sharpening. File down the heavy side to avoid a wobbly, grass-chomping mess.

The rhythmic scrape of filing on the blade carries a meditative calm. Just be sure to go slow and carefully – and remember to remove the sparkplug so the mower doesn’t accidentally start when your hand is on the blade!

8. Prepare Garden Beds

A well-cleared bed in March means seeds meet bare, receptive soil in April rather than fighting through last year’s weeds. Picture your hands in the cool earth, birdsong returning overhead, and the first earthworms appearing as you sweep away winter’s remnants.

• Yank out last season’s debris, like dead roots, wilted stems, and rogue weeds. Then, top with a fresh layer of compost to wake the soil from its winter nap.
• Cover beds with black plastic or row cover to trap March’s timid heat, coaxing the soil to thaw faster for eager seeds and transplants.
• Broadfork compacted areas rather than tilling to help preserve soil structure.

Homesteaders often find the clarity and purpose that drew them to this lifestyle in the first place when their hands are deep in the soil. (This is when your mind is most free to wander!)

9. Divide Perennials

The magical multiplication of dividing perennials turns one plant into many and allows you to expand your garden for free. This task helps you find self-sufficiency and abundance. Nature provides more than enough when we work in harmony with its cycles!

• Divide when plants show declining center growth or reduced flowering.
• Replant immediately with adequate spacing for mature size.
• Water newly divided plants consistently until established.

The act of dividing perennials is the perfect metaphor for homesteading itself. By carefully separating and replanting, one becomes many, scarcity transforms into abundance, and yesterday’s investment yields tomorrow’s wealth.

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10. Begin Indoor Seeding For Warm-Season Vegetables

It feels empowering to germinate tomato seeds safely indoors in pots while snow still blankets the ground outside. Find your USDA growing zone’s last frost date and count backward 6 to 8 weeks to determine when to start your seeds. March is often perfect for warm-season crops like tomatoes and peppers.

• Use seed trays or small growing pots stuffed with a sterile seed-starting mix, and place them in a warm spot (70 to 80°F is ideal) with plenty of light.
• A sunny windowsill or underneath grow lights set to 12 to 16 hours a day works for most indoor seedlings.
• Ensure adequate light – or your seedlings will grow tall and lanky.

Add a diluted amount of compost tea to your water. It can boost your growing seedlings as they develop beneath the hum of your grow lights. Once their first leaves appear, the nutrient boost will help cradle your seedlings into strength so they can face the great outdoors!

11. Clean And Sharpen Garden Tools

Well-maintained tools are the unsung heroes of a productive homestead. That pristine edge on your hoe or spade doesn’t just make your work easier. It also honors the craftsmanship of the tool itself and connects you to a long tradition of caring for implements that sustain homestead life!

• Disinfect tools with alcohol between uses to prevent disease spread.
• Apply linseed oil to wooden handles to prevent cracking.
• Keep a 5-gallon bucket with sand and oil for cleaning tools after each use.

Having sharp, well-maintained implements can save you significant effort, stress, and time when working the land. Conversely, struggling with dull, sticky tools can consume unnecessary energy and hinder productivity.

12. Wash Windows

March is the perfect time to clean your windows. Let’s banish the stubborn mud, grime, and winter’s dreary fingerprints that cling to the panes. It will unveil a crystal-clear view as spring’s hopeful light begins to dance across the homestead!

• Clean windows early in the morning or on an overcast day to avoid direct sunlight, which can cause the cleaning liquid to dry too quickly and leave spots.
• Mix white vinegar and water with a drop of dish soap for a natural, homestead-friendly cleaner.
• Opt for microfiber over paper towels or newspapers. They’re gentle on windows, reusable, trap dust and dirt effectively, and reduce waste.

Cleaning windows requires a bit of elbow grease. But your tiny seedlings will be grateful for the warm March sun!

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13. Prepare Garden Trellises And Supports

Garden trellises keep your garden neat and organized! They also improve your garden’s air circulation, reduce disease risk, and make harvesting a breeze. Preparing and setting up trellises in March ensures that your plants are ready to flourish as the growing season kicks off.

• Opt for weather-resistant options like cedar or metal over untreated pine, which rots quickly. A sturdy trellis can last years and save you tons of effort.
• Tailor for the height of your crops. Peas need six feet, while tomatoes thrive with four. Ample space helps to prevent overcrowding, ensuring each plant gets its share of light and air.
• Sink posts at least a foot into the ground or use stakes and ties. A wobbly trellis mid-season spells disaster for laden vines!

Consider growing flowers alongside vegetables on your trellises. Nasturtiums climbing with cucumbers or morning glories with pole beans create beauty and attract beneficial insects while maximizing space.

14. Double-Check Fences For Winter Damage

March sweeps in like a blustery guest, leaving homesteaders to survey the damaging aftermath of winter’s rough embrace! Garden fences, trellises, and coops may bear the scars of icy winds or heavy snow, with sagging posts, torn netting, or splintered boards quietly pleading for attention.

• Inspect every inch of fencing for gaps, rust, or rot. Minor breaches invite big trouble from four-legged chicken predators – like foxes and raccoons.
• Shore up wobbly trellises or posts with extra stakes or ties. A little muscle now prevents a mid-summer collapse.
• Use leftover wood or wire to mend damage.

A thorough once-over now, patching holes and reinforcing weak spots, ensures your farm animals stay safe. It can also protect your yard from the chaos of homesteading in ways you might overlook!

15. Plan Crop Rotation

Strategic crop rotation is like an organic chess game played with nature that builds soil health and outwits pests. The main idea is to work with natural systems rather than against them, ensuring abundance this year while preserving the land’s vitality for future seasons.

• Group plants by family (nightshades, brassicas, legumes, etc.) for rotation.
• Follow heavy feeders with soil builders like peas and beans.
• Keep detailed garden maps each season for reference and planning.

A well-executed crop rotation plan is the chess grandmaster’s approach to gardening. While others react to problems, you’ve already anticipated them three moves ahead.

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Conclusion

Homesteading is more than checking chores off a list! These fifteen March homesteading essentials are like real-world invitations to participate in something larger than yourself. With every seed planted and tool sharpened you’re building a homestead and crafting a legacy of resilience, abundance, and deep connection to the earth that sustains us all.

What about you?

• Are there any fun spring activities you enjoy around this time of year?
• Which March homesteading task do you avoid like the plague?
• Are you growing any indoor seedlings for your spring garden?

Thanks for reading.

Have a great day!

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