March Gardening Tips for the Sandhills of North Carolina

March Gardening Tips for the Sandhills of North Carolina

March is go-time in the Sandhills! After those chilly mornings and unpredictable February swings, your yard is finally waking up. In our part of North Carolina, this month is all about prep, planting, pruning, and protecting. If you set things up right now, your spring (and summer) landscape will thank you.

Here’s your March gardening checklist tailored specifically for the Sandhills region 🌱

Plant Cool-Season Color

Early March is perfect for adding cool-season annuals that can handle those occasional 40° nights.

Plant now:

  • Pansies

  • Snapdragons

  • Dianthus

  • Dusty Miller

  • Ornamental cabbage & kale

These thrive in our mild early spring temps and give instant curb appeal while we wait for true warm weather to settle in.

Prune (But Be Strategic)

March is prime time to prune many shrubs before heavy spring growth kicks in.

You can prune:

  • Knock Out roses

  • Crape myrtles

  • Butterfly bushes

  • Ornamental grasses

🚫 Hold off on pruning spring bloomers like azaleas and camellias until after they flower — otherwise, you’ll cut off this year’s blooms.

Lawn Care: Wake It Up Gently

Most Sandhills lawns (centipede, Bermuda, zoysia) are just starting to break dormancy.

March lawn tips:

✔ Apply pre-emergent herbicide early in the month to prevent crabgrass and summer weeds.
✔ Avoid heavy nitrogen fertilizer until grass is fully green and actively growing.
✔ Rake up leftover debris and lightly edge beds for a clean start.

If you recently installed sod (like many homeowners this time of year), consistent watering is key as temperatures fluctuate between cool nights and warm afternoons.

Plant Trees & Shrubs Now

March is one of the BEST times to plant in the Sandhills. The soil is workable, roots establish before summer heat, and plants experience less stress.

Great options for our area:

  • Dogwoods

  • Hollies

  • Hydrangeas

  • Loropetalum

  • Native shrubs

Be sure to:

  • Loosen surrounding soil well

  • Water deeply after planting

  • Add 2–3 inches of mulch (but keep it away from the trunk)

Check Irrigation Systems

Before we hit consistent 70° days, now is the time to:

  • Inspect sprinkler heads

  • Check for leaks

  • Adjust spray patterns

  • Make sure timers are functioning properly

Catching problems early prevents wasted water (and soggy spots) later.

Refresh Beds & Mulch

Fresh mulch in March:

  • Retains moisture

  • Suppresses weeds

  • Regulates soil temperature

  • Makes everything look instantly clean and finished

In the Sandhills’ sandy soil, mulch is especially important for moisture retention.

Looking Ahead

Late March can sometimes bring a surprise frost, so hold off on planting true warm-season annuals (like vinca or begonias) until we’re consistently past that risk.

If you’re unsure about timing, plant selection, or need help with a full landscape refresh, Green Side Up is here to help.

Let’s Get Your Yard Ready for Spring 🌿

March is about setting the foundation. A little work now means a thriving, low-stress yard heading into summer heat.

Stop by or reach out for:

  • Plant recommendations

  • Landscape design

  • Irrigation checks

  • Mulch delivery

  • New shrub or tree installs

Your spring yard starts now — and we’d love to help you make it beautiful. Check out our Facebook page for daily updates! For our monthly events and workshops, click here!