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Welcome to Better Gardener
March in the Garden
March is upon us and even though it is acting more like winter with snow in the foothills, there are more signs that spring is arriving in the valley. Trees are popping out in bloom; bursts of color from daffodils, paperwhites and calla lilies are making a showing around the state. Acacia are in full bloom with sprays of yellow blossoms gracing their branches.
 Camellia blooms provide bright spots of color against dark green foliage. Established Camellia bushes are looking spectacular in full bloom and brighten up a grey wintery day.
Colorful pots of pansies and calendula provide a vivid burst of color in pots and  beds around patios and courtyards. Euryops can be found blooming, brightening gardens in pots or in landscapes around town. Pots are a great way to provide pops of color in small garden spaces and doorways.
 Spinach, lettuce, carrots, onions and kale are just a few of the tasty treats found in veggie gardens this time of year as a result of the fall planting. While enjoying the spring bounty it is also the perfect time to plan for your summer veggie garden, ordering plants, and planting seeds for transplanting later in the spring when the temperatures warm up.
The expert staff at your local garden centers can assist you with planning the  perfect garden. Garden centers carry everything needed to help you have the garden you have always dreamed of. They can help with plant selection and when, where and how to plant your selections. If you are interested some garden centers offer the service of coming and planting your selections for you.
 Garden Centers are gearing up for a busy spring season of gardening and outdoor enjoyment. Watch the events section on this site to see what special events, workshops and activities are being offered at a garden center in your area.
March is a perfect time to get out and enjoy nature’s beauty. Don’t forget to carry a camera so that you can snap pictures of plants and landscaping that you especially like along the way. Pictures make it easier to seek assistance from your nursery professional in identifying those plants that you may not be familiar with. Don’t forget to make notes in your garden record; a few minutes now will save you time later.
Drop by your local garden center regularly to see what new plant offerings and old favorites they have available for planting right now and most of all enjoy the quest to “Be a Better Gardener”.
Ongoing Events
Upcoming Events
Seasonal recipes found in Recipes from the Garden
feature  fresh picked veggies from the garden and farmers markets. Fresh picked lettuce, spinach, carrots, kale, peas, and green onions are the stars for recipes this month.
March Seasonal Gardening Tips…
Find tips for planting your summer garden, how to prune, plant and prepare for a beautiful spring/summer bloom and summer fruit and veggie production. Be sure to read the Weekly Checklist on how to Be a Better Gardner. Check Seasonal Gardening Tips often.
Fun for Kids
 Encourage kids to help decorate the garden with lights and bright colored cool season annuals. Help them to pot up some bright colored flowers and then to decide on the placement in the garden for their works of art.
Explore the garden with them and discover the beauty of the winter season together; help them keep a journal about their discoveries. Visit public gardens and arboretums with them so they can learn more about the hidden treasures that can be found in the winter garden; have them count the number of different types of birds and animals they can spot. If traveling s holiday season include a visit to a public garden to see if they can spot how gardens differ by regions. 
Help them observe how different plants adapt to the colder weather. Make a tally of the trees that lose their leaves and those that don’t and how many plants have berries this time of year.
Garden For Lasting Memories...
Yards that once grew gardens have been replaced with hot tubs and driveways. Today’s kids are missing the joy of cutting a bouquet of flowers for their mom or tasting the sweetness of a cherry tomato picked right from the plant. Gardening is a fun activity that can be shared with children and grandchildren, even if the garden is a single container or small spot in the yard. And a garden provides a beautiful way to remember a special person or time of life.
RESOURCES
Follow Better Gardener on Twitter ... click here
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www.youtube.com/BetterGardener -- want to find out about career opportunities in the Horticulture Industry. Check out the CANGC Careers in Horticulture CD on YouTube. Are you an instructor of horticulture? You can order this CD free from the CANGC office by emailing info@cangc.org and asking for a copy. This is also available for free to members and for a small fee of $15, non-members can purchase this wonderful look at Careers in Horticulture -- you will be surprised at the variety and scope of careers available.
The California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers is a great resource of gardening information and this website is an example. For K-6 grade ‘Planting Seeds, Growing Minds’ and for the upper grades through 12th there is ‘Investigations in Horticulture’ – both curriculums available for purchase. Why not get one for your child’s teacher or school? Also check out the Public Outreach link on the association's homepage of www.cangc.org.
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