Southern California

Go shopping

Buy tomato seedlings Find lots of varieties at one of the Tomatomania events coming up this month and next: March 21–22 at Quail Botanical Gardens in Encinitas; March 27–29 at the Tapia Brothers Farm Stand in Encino; and April 4 at Otto & Sons Nursery in Fillmore. Also check out the Monster Tomato & Pepper Sale at Fullerton Arboretum (free; Mar 19–22).

Plant now

Attract good bugs To keep insect pests under control in your vegetable garden, lure in their natural enemies ― hoverflies, lacewings, ladybugs, and parasitic wasps ― by planting the nectar plants they love, such as aster, chamomile, coreopsis, cosmos, feverfew, marigold, scabiosa, and yarrow.

Grow fruit trees Gardeners in Sunset climate zones 8–9 and 12–24 can all grow some kind of citrus, and March is the ideal time to plant. Ask your local nursery or county Master Gardeners for recommendations on the best varieties for your area. To ensure that you get a true dwarf tree ― which grows to half the size or less of standard citrus ― make sure your tree was grafted onto ‘Flying Dragon’ rootstock (this is often specified on the plant label). In the high desert (zone 11), continue to plant bare-root nectarines, peaches, plums, and other stone fruit.

Start an herb garden Plant chives, parsley, rosemary, sage, savory, tarragon, and thyme. Sow seeds of arugula, chervil, cilantro, and dill.

Use succulents for fire protection In addition to their sturdiness, foliage colors, and sculptural forms, succulents contain lots of water in their leaves. This makes them an excellent choice for fire-scaping (landscaping to prevent or minimize fire damage). Aloe, cotyledon, crassula, echeveria, and sedum are all good options.

Tend your plot

Acidify hydrangeas To keep your blue-flowered hydrangea blue, acidify the soil now. Apply aluminum sulfate, which is often packaged expressly for hydrangeas, following label directions. You can also use cottonseed meal.

Feed plants Almost all plants appreciate a boost of nitrogen now. Feed fruit and ornamental trees, shrubs (except camellias ― wait until after bloom), lawns, container plants, houseplants, perennials, ground-covers, and annuals that have been in the ground for six weeks or more.

Outsmart pests

Apply deer and rabbit repellent It smells nasty ― like rotten eggs and garlic ― but many gardeners swear by the all-natural Liquid Fence deterrent. Spray directly on foliage that deer and rabbits like to eat to train them to avoid the leaves in the future. More than one application a season may be needed.

Manage snails Control now to reduce their numbers for the rest of the year. Locate their daytime hiding places ― usually strap-leafed plants like daylilies or agapanthus ― and handpick regularly. Or set out commercial bait. Protect citrus trees by circling their trunks with copper bands; snails receive a mild shock when they contact the copper and retreat. This also works for edibles in raised beds.

Next: Plant romantic blooms