The anticipation is building: the beginning of the gardening season. So, let’s March into gardening.

There are several things you can be doing now indoors.

• Start seeds of tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, perennials, and annual flowers under indoor lighting or in a bright sunny window.

• Start a garden journal. Keep record of what, when, where, and the results of your plantings.

• Take cuttings of houseplants. Repot houseplants if needed.

• Start canna roots in a large pot to set outdoors in May.

• Start seeds of flowers for transplanting outdoors in May.

And there are many things that you can start to do outdoors.

• Have your garden soil tested with a Penn State soil testing kit for soil levels and pH prior to beginning a new garden. The test will provide valuable information on what amendments will be needed.

• Prepare garden soil if not done in the fall. Remove dead plants and debris, remove weeds, top with one inch of compost or till in a cover crop or composted manure. Do not plow, till or spade soil until it is dry enough. If a lump of soil squeezed in your hand does not fall apart when tapped, it is too wet to work.

• Top asparagus beds with fertilizer or compost.

• Move broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower seedlings outdoors to a cold frame or protected spot. Seeds may also be planted directly into the garden.

• Dig up clumps of hosta to be divided and replant.

• In mild weather, plant roses, trees and shrubs.

• Top-dress the lawn with compost, fill in low spot and reseed.

• As soon as planting conditions are right, sow peas, potatoes, sweet peas, poppies and other cool weather crops.

• By mid-month, plant seeds of carrots, beets, kohlrabi, parsnips, spinach, parsley, cabbage, radishes, leaf lettuces and turnips.

• Tie up ornamental grasses for easy removal, and cut back to a few inches above ground level.

Gardening events

Lehigh Valley Flower Show: Penn State Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer your gardening questions, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. March 7 and 8, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. March 9, Agri-Plex, Allentown Fairgrounds, 302 N. 17 St., Allentown.

Spring Garden Series: Penn State Master Gardeners will host a series of meetings 6:30-7:30 p.m. March 24, 25, 31, and April 1, via Zoom webinar. $10 per session or $30 for all four. Information on talks; and to register: https://extension.psu.edu/spring-garden-series

“Growing Green” is contributed by Diane Dorn, Lehigh County Extension Office Staff, and Master Gardeners. Information: Lehigh County Extension Office, 610-391-9840; Northampton County Extension Office, 610-813-6613