March might be too early to officially start your planting, but it doesn’t mean it’s too early to continue preparing your garden for the warmer months. One of the biggest challenges gardeners face are weeds. Classified as any plant growing in the wrong place, weeds can choke out your plants causing them to grow slower or smaller and forcing them to compete for nutrients and sunlight. Weeds can also become homes for garden pests that can further harm your plants and make it difficult for you to create the garden of your dreams.

While the weather outside is cold and gray, you can begin your gardening season indoors. Having a solid foundation will make it easier for you to get your garden started in the spring and to get creative when it comes to the plants you use or the garden’s layout. This also gives gardeners an opportunity to get in the habit of tending to their gardens before it’s time to plant them in their selected location.

1. Location is Key

Symbolizing love and devotion, hostas are shade-tolerant foliage plants that thrive from early spring to late summer. They’re a great addition to perennial gardens, woodland gardens, areas needing ground cover, suburban yards or even outdoor containers.

Love and Care

If you’re a gardener looking for a change, consider upgrading your garden with a raised bed. These above-ground planters help separate your garden from the rest of your yard and can add dimension to otherwise flat areas. Some standard items needed to start include soil, wood or the material you plan to use to create the raised bed, a shovel and a tiller.

Raised Ground Beds

Each fall, the Japanese Garden at the Missouri Botanical Garden lights up with vibrant fall colors. The diverse tree canopy creates a picturesque foliage, but another autumnal highlight is the cascading mums in the Pring Dry Garden. 

About the plant: Chrysanthemum is a genus of plants containing about 40 species. They originate in the Far East, mostly in China. They have been grown in cultivation for over 3,500 years.