Getting beds ready in March — print version.
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SUS Farms · Utah Gardening
Getting beds ready in March
season · beginner · ~4 min read
Most gardens fail in late summer because of decisions made (or not made) in March. The 4-week spring runway between snowmelt and last frost is when you set up the year — soil amendment, bed prep, and the first cool-season sowings.
Week 1: clean and assess
Pull last year's row cover or mulch off beds. Look at the soil — if it crumbles in your hand, it's ready. If it's a wet brick, wait two more weeks. Walking on wet soil destroys structure for the season.
Week 2: amend
Compost top-dress (1 inch) on every bed. Sulfur on beds slated for tomatoes/peppers (long lead time to take effect). Crimp/turn cover crops if you grew them. Don't double-dig — broadfork instead.
Week 3: direct-sow cool-season
Spinach, lettuce, peas, radishes, carrots can all go in the ground 6 weeks before last frost. Cover with row cover for soil warmth. Onion sets in late March.
Week 4: transplant cool-season starts
Broccoli, cabbage, kale transplants out 4 weeks before last frost. Hardened off for at least 5 days first. Row cover for the first 10 days.