The Joys Of Watching Your Garden In March

March has been called the 3:00 A.M. of the year - it isn’t quite winter and it certainly isn’t spring. The weather cannot be depended upon - a warm sunny day momentarily may freeze into a blizzard, and a blizzard may melt away under a seventy-degree sun.

The only thing predictable about March - as a few million people have already noted - is its complete unpredictability. Here in Connecticut we can be pretty sure of snow during the month.

But through all the weather’s vagaries we had the surprise and joy of a lovely little winter flower garden beside the front door. The gap between winter and spring was gaily bridged by this garden’s rainbow of color. While on our place we have a minimum of cultivated areas and flower beds, I wouldn’t be without this one little garden spot even if it demanded a lot of care - which it doesn’t.

The L-shaped area, five by seven and about two feet wide, is protected on the west and north by the house wall, and exposed to south and east. Daily from 3:00 P.M. on the house shades the area—and some shade is desirable. The crocuses here bloom sometimes two months ahead of those out in the meadow.

Surely you have a similar, sheltered area somewhere near your front or back door. At least eight kinds of early-blooming bulbs and perennials are ready, willing and able to create for you a sensational March display. Planting is done in late August and early September.

There is an advantage in having such a garden near the front door. Each time you go in or out your heart skips a beat at the courage of these diminutive shoots. And, with an icy wind howling down your neck you are rarely tempted to wander far afield in search of early bloom. Dinner guests are equally enchanted as the front door light shines out on the flowers emerging in all weather and offering them a cordial welcome.

Every day during March - almost every hour, it seems - something happens in our tiny area, something new invites a brief pause and glance at the unfolding blossoms. Such a garden is simple to care for - small and well within the supply of time and energy of everyone. When the early flowers are gone you can fill in with zinnias and marigolds for a summer-long blaze of color lasting until heavy autumn frosts.

Right now why not select a possible site? Either prepare with hay, if planting time is some months ahead, or start right in and dig down a foot or so. Remove all old roots and rocks; add plenty of compost and manure, perhaps a bushel or two of each. You will do well to raise this garden a little above the surrounding earth level. We edged our with bricks to separate it from the gravel walk.

Eight Of Success

The first of the eight “little giants” to put in an appearance is winter aconite (eranthis). One March day you’ll observe small yellow buttercups resting on the snow, each with an Elizabethan ruff of greenery around its neck. (Eranthis is a member of the buttercup family). This tuberous rooted hardy perennial produces little blooms on 4-inch stems that last many days in chilly weather, and seem to be a tangible and visible sign that spring is somewhere near. Even in northern New England, eranthis may open in February if it is an early season. Once in our snow garden a blossom was encased in a diminutive bubble of ice. That day, time slipped by while I just stood there in wonder and admiration.

The important rule for eranthis is not to wait until autumn to order and plant. Send for the tuberous roots in August and get them underground in a hurry so they have time to grow a fine root system before winter. The flowers will be extra large and handsome if bulbs are planted this early. When the package arrives don’t be discouraged if it appears you have invested in a mere bundle of small dead roots. In spite of appearances, there is a golden promise in each wizened little corm. Plant immediately upon arrival, for they are ready to grow. Set 2 inches deep, 3 inches apart, and eighteen bulbs to a square foot. In full sun or semi shade they will reseed and naturalize in a rewarding manner.