March Into Growing Season

Read by Matilda Longbottom

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Christy Page Dear Gardeners,

Welcome to the March 2025 issue of Food Gardening Magazine!

While my garden is still mostly sleeping under its winter blanket, my kitchen windowsill tells a different story. It’s crowded with seed trays where tiny tomato and pepper seedlings are just pushing through the soil, reaching for the strengthening March sunshine. Just yesterday, I spotted the first determined daffodil tips breaking through the mulch in my front yard – nature’s own reminder that spring isn’t just coming, it’s already here. There’s something about March that makes every gardener’s heart beat a little faster, isn’t there?

This year, we’re noticing a fascinating trend toward garden experimentation and optimization. From creative trellising techniques to the art of citrus grafting, gardeners are finding innovative ways to maximize both space and yields. I’m particularly excited about our plant close-up on multi-fruit lemon trees – a perfect example of how traditional gardening techniques can transform our modern home gardens.

The science of gardening takes center stage this month as we explore how soil composition affects everything from onion sweetness to tomato productivity. Whether you’re testing your soil for the first time or fine-tuning your amendments, we’ve got the guidance you need for your best garden yet.

Fresh Takes

No matter your growing zone, March offers exciting opportunities to advance your gardening year, and we have articles about each of the major planting zones to help you see what’s available to you this month:

What to Plant in March in Zones 4-6: Prepare for the last frost while starting warm-season crops indoors.
What to Plant in March in Zones 7-8: Begin transitioning to outdoor planting while protecting against late frosts.
What to Plant in March in Zones 9-10: Take full advantage of perfect growing conditions with direct sowing and transplanting.

In this issue, our Plant Close-Ups tackle everything from advanced fruit tree techniques to the science of flavor development. Want to grow multiple citrus varieties on one tree? We’ll show you how. Curious about what makes some onions sweeter than others? We’ve got the science covered. Plus, you’ll discover space-saving cucumber solutions and the secrets to better blueberries. Here are the articles:

Creating Multi-Fruit Lemon Trees in Your Backyard with Citrus Grafting: Learn the step-by-step process of grafting multiple citrus varieties onto a single tree, including which rootstocks work best and how to ensure successful unions.
Pruning for a Bumper Crop of Blueberries: Discover the precise timing and techniques for pruning blueberry bushes to maximize your harvest, including how to identify productive wood and shape your bushes for optimal growth.
The Science of Onion Sweetness: How Sulfur, Water, and Timing Affect Flavor: Delve into the fascinating chemistry behind onion flavor development and learn how to control growing conditions for the sweetest possible harvest.
Cucumber Trellis Tricks to Maximize Yield and Save Space: Explore innovative vertical growing solutions for cucumbers, from simple DIY designs to advanced systems that can double your growing space.
How Soil Amendments Can Elevate Your Tomato Crop: Master the art of soil preparation with specific amendments that boost tomato growth, flavor, and disease resistance.

Get Your 2025 Spring Garden Calendar Planning Kit

We are thrilled to present our 2025 Spring Garden Calendar Planning Kit! This comprehensive guide helps you time your plantings perfectly, track important garden tasks, and plan for a successful growing season, regardless of your climate zone.

Soup Recipe Collection

There’s nothing quite like a steaming bowl of homemade soup to warm both body and spirit. This month, we’re featuring five soul-warming recipes that showcase both winter storage vegetables and early spring harvests. From classic comfort foods to lighter spring fare, these soups will help you bridge the seasonal transition while making the most of your garden’s bounty.

Red Wine French Onion Soup: A rich, deeply flavored classic featuring caramelized garden onions, crusty bread, and melted cheese, elevated with a splash of red wine for extra depth and complexity.
Turkey Gnocchi Soup: A creamy, comforting soup combining tender potato gnocchi with garden vegetables and herbs in a satisfying broth that makes the most of leftover turkey.
Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup: The ultimate set-it-and-forget-it comfort food featuring homemade egg noodles, garden-fresh carrots, celery, and herbs in a rich, golden broth.
Pea and Mint Soup: A bright, fresh celebration of early spring combining sweet garden peas with fresh mint and a touch of cream for a sophisticated soup that can be served hot or chilled.
30-Minute Roasted Tomato Basil Soup: A sophisticated blend of San Marzano tomatoes and fresh herbs in a silky, cream-enriched broth, ready in just half an hour for the perfect year-round comfort.

Plan Your Best Spring Harvest Yet

Don’t forget to check out your 2025 Spring Garden Calendar Planning Kit! Gold Members can explore our Gardening Kits tab for more resources:

Check them out now, and download your favorites!

As we step into March, we’re entering one of the most exciting times in the garden calendar. Whether you’re grafting citrus trees, testing soil, or planning your Italian herb garden, remember that every seed planted and every skill learned brings us closer to a bountiful harvest.

Happy gardening!

Warm regards,

Christy Page
Editor & Publisher

P.S. What gardening experiments are you trying this spring? Share your plans in the comments below!

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