3.14.26 - Goodbye Winter

Episode Transcript

[Intro Music fades in]

Welcome back to The Keep Growing Podcast, everyone! I'm your host, John Morgan and we're right here in the heart of the Mid-Ohio Valley, talking all things gardening to help you keep growing stronger every week.  Bear with me this episode as I am fighting off a bit of a spring bug that might have me talking a bit nasally.

It's mid-March 2026, spring is knocking at the door, and this is one of those exciting transitional weeks where we get to do some key prep work before everything bursts into life. Today we're covering March 14th through the 20th—last call on some big pruning jobs, berry care, asparagus cleanup, a fun St. Patrick's Day tradition, and of course, the weather outlook that's got us all watching the swings. 

Let's dive right in!

First up: This is truly your last chance to prune those deciduous trees and shrubs before they shake off winter dormancy. In our zone—mostly 6 and 7 here in the Mid-Ohio Valley—buds are starting to swell on many species. Once they break, pruning can stress the plants or open them up to disease. Grab your sharp pruners, remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches, shape for good airflow and structure. Do it on a dry day above freezing—perfect timing this week if the weather cooperates. Your trees and shrubs will thank you with healthier growth all season.

While you're out there with the pruners, don't forget the berries! Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and elderberries all benefit from a good late-winter/early-spring prune right now. For blueberries, thin out older branches, remove weak or crossing growth to keep the bush open and productive. Raspberries and blackberries: Cut back summer-bearing types to the ground (for primocanes) or tip the new canes; everbearing might need a lighter touch. Elderberries—prune out anything over three years old to encourage new wood for better berries. Get this done before buds open fully, and you'll set up a bumper crop later.

Next: If you haven't already, mow down those asparagus ferns from last year. Cut them back to ground level to clear debris and make way for those tasty spears pushing up soon. This helps reduce pests and diseases overwintering in the old foliage. Toss the cuttings in the compost—unless they're diseased—then give the bed a light feed with compost or balanced fertilizer. Asparagus season is coming fast!

Now, a little seasonal fun: Tuesday, March 17th is St. Patrick's Day! Why not celebrate with some garden magic? A great Irish tradition for gardeners is to start pre-sprouting your seed potatoes—also called chitting. That’s with a “C.H.” at the beginning.  Get yer wee mind out o thee gutter! Lay your seed potatoes in a cool, bright spot (like an egg carton in a windowsill or garage) so they develop short, sturdy sprouts. This gives them a head start once planted, leading to earlier and bigger harvests. Perfect for "luck of the Irish" potatoes this year—get them going now for planting in April or May depending on soil temps.

[Short pause for transition]

Let's talk weather, because in the Mid-Ohio Valley, it's anything but boring this week.

Today (March 13th into 14th) is pretty seasonable—nothing extreme. But Sunday warms up noticeably—could feel almost spring-like with highs potentially pushing into the 60s based on patterns we're seeing. Then, a winter-like chill crashes back early next week. Expect temperatures to drop, with Tuesday (St. Patrick's Day) seeing highs only in the 30s—brrr! 

Precipitation-wise, the next widespread chance comes Sunday night through Tuesday morning—could be rain mixing with some wintry stuff as the cold front moves in. After that, things rebound by the end of the week—warmer and drier to close out March.

And mark your lunar calendars: The New Moon is Wednesday, March 18th. Traditional gardeners love planting seeds and transplants during the new moon phase for strong root development—great timing if you're starting indoors or direct-sowing hardy crops when soil allows.

Finally, the big one: Friday, March 20th is the Spring Equinox! Day and night equal, official start of astronomical spring. The garden is waking up—watch for early bulbs, crocuses, and those first asparagus tips. Celebrate with a walk through your yard, maybe plant a few pansies if the soil's workable, or just enjoy the longer days.

That's your Mid-Ohio Valley gardening roundup for March 14th to 20th. Prune now, prep those berries, chit some potatoes for good luck, and keep an eye on those temperature swings.

If you're out gardening this week, tag me on X @bobsmarket—I'd love to see what you're up to. Drop a comment or DM with your questions, and we'll cover them in future episodes.

Until next time, stay curious, enjoy every moment in the garden, and keep growing.

[Outro Music fades]