March is the month when the fierce winds, called westerlies, blow in off the Pacific Ocean. These winds make the garden seem colder than it is. But this month, finally, the weather will warm. Check the pH of the soil with a testing kit or meter from a garden center. A pH of 6.5 to 7.0 is ideal for most plants. If the pH is too high or too low, consult your local nursery staff. Prepare garden beds for planting by amending with compost, manure and other organic materials such as kelp, bone and blood meals. Later this month, begin fertilizing the garden with an all-purpose fertilizer for blooming and fruiting plants. Runoff from synthetic chemical fertilizers can harm the watershed, so use with...
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