Gardeners beware, March in New Mexico can be fickle

Q: I so want to start planting but have been cautioned by my neighbors that have lived here forever, and they say that “winter isn’t over yet, be patient.” A few of the shrubs I have are starting to show signs of waking up, and there is a flowering quince a couple of doors down from me that is already in bloom. Do you think we are done with winter for this year? — W.D., Albuquerque

A: I’m going to side with your neighbors. I wouldn’t be surprised to see truly cold temperatures and, yes, even snow this month. But on that note I don’t own, nor do I want a crystal ball.

March, historically in these parts, is very fickle. My copy of “Down to Earth: A Gardeners Guide” states that “on average you can expect 2 inches of snow in March.”

Now I will suggest that, especially with all that wind we had earlier, you get out and rake up any piles of blown in stuff that accumulated. It’ll make your surroundings safer and there will be fewer places for bugs to hide and have a comfy place to set up house. Also, have you offered the trees, shrubs and perennials a drink lately? That could keep you satisfied until you’re confident about the weather staying a bit more cooperative.

Have you done enough homework on what you’re wanting to plant? If not, get out your plat map and start to make notes of what you’re wanting to do. I truly suggest that you wait a smidgen longer before you undertake a whole lot of planting yet. March has come in like a lion, hopefully meaning it’ll leave like a lamb. Only time will tell, and just remember that March is a very fickle month in these parts.

Q: We inherited several houseplants when my mother-in-law passed last fall. For the most part, they have all seemed to take the move and my care for them quite well. I really think that they’d do well with a repotting, offering fresh soil, and want to know when I should do this for them? — R.O., Rio Rancho

A: My condolences on your loss and congratulations on keeping her treasures going.

I’m going to suggest that you wait until at least the end of this month, better yet, tackle the project in mid-April. That way you can do the work outside on the patio and not be so “neat,” so to speak.

I will suggest that you aim to keep the plants in the same pots. Moving a plant that has been living in lets say an 8-inch pot and plunked into a 12-inch pot will usually cause it to suffer. They can, and usually do, get a bit freaked out and try to fill the pot with roots, allowing the plant part to suffer. Or even worse, the water you’ll offer won’t get to the roots because there is so much soil that the plant quickly declines. The same pot or a new one only one size up is usually best.

When you unpot a plant, gingerly remove as much of the old soil as possible, and either dump it in a garden area or toss it. Now is the time to inspect the roots and give them a trim if needed. Keeping the roots trimmed is one of the biggest reasons you can reuse the same pot for years.

While the pot is empty, give it a good wash with hot soapy water to start afresh. Remember to collect and wash off any potsherds or pebbles that were covering the drainage holes. You’ll want to reuse them. Repotting can be a lot of fun and since you sound like you want to keep the legacy growing, you got this. Just wait for warmer weather and more actual daylight, OK?

Happy Diggin’ In!

Tracey Fitzgibbon is a certified nurseryman. Send garden-related questions to Digging In, Albuquerque Journal, 7777 Jefferson St. NE, Albuquerque, N.M. 87109, or to features@abqjournal.com.