March 2026 — In the Garden

When I think of March, my mind has a tendency to reach for metaphors. The calm before the unleashing; the last deep breath of winter before spring begins to settle in. That anticipatory tension before a big moment you’ve been waiting for.

It’s a time of preparation, of beginnings, and looking towards the good parts coming up. 

In Saskatchewan, of course, March can sometimes represent just another month of winter. But even then, the glimpses tend to peek through. Early melting and slushy roads; the easing off of winter’s chill in the air. The oppressively short days of early winter are long behind us.

It isn’t time yet to begin planting your garden, but it’s time to prepare. 

If you haven’t already begun your seed starts for the season, be sure to visit Floral Acres for all your seeds, potting media, and other necessities to get started. March is the ideal time to start your tomatoes, peppers, herbs, and lots of other Saskatchewan garden staples. For an in-depth guide to seed starting, check out the latest post in the Do It Yourself section of our advice page! 

Another aspect of garden preparation that I’d like to focus on today is arranging your garden layout. For many of us, garden placement is simply a matter of which plants fit where—or how many pots can I cram into the confined space of my patio balcony? 

But layout can play an important role on the health and longevity of your seasonal garden. And in a place where the season is short, that makes a difference. 

Companion planting is the practice of arranging your plants with others that will provide mutual benefit. Not only can this help maximize your space, but companion planting can encourage growth and greater yield, reduce pests and other harmful garden agents, and improve the soil quality. 

Here are some tried and true methods that work well, but don’t be afraid to experiment and see what works well for your space. 

●     The combination of “Three Sisters” is corn for height and support; beans for nitrogen in the soil, and squash for ground cover.

●     Pair tomatoes with basil for improved flavour and to discourage tomato hornworms; or plant your tomatoes with marigolds to deter nematodes and beetles.

●     Plant taller roots—carrots, onions, radishes—with lower-lying greens like lettuce, which tends to prefer cooler temperatures and will receive shelter from the sun.

●     Tall options like sunflowers and corn can also provide shade for cool-weather plants.

●     Certain herbs planted amongst your vegetables, like thyme, will deter pests such as aphids. Additionally, certain flowers like nasturtiums will draw pests to themselves instead.

●     Garlic and chives can deter pests from berry and fruit bushes.

●     And on the note of berries and fruit, always double-check you have varieties that act as natural companions to one another. This is essential for cross-pollination and the production of fruit. If you aren’t sure whether your specific varieties are compatible, our Floral Acres associates in the tree department will be happy to help!

There are a few other things to consider when companion planting.

Certain plants will balance nitrogen into the soil better than others, which is the most important nutrient for encouraging leafy growth. Keep this in mind for rotating your crops from year to year. Early vegetative growth is key for a strong, healthy garden through the growing season; but too much nitrogen can produce too much foliage at the expense of fruit or flowers. 

Maximize your space! As seen above, even plants that require more sunlight can cohabitate with those which need less if you work with different heights and levels. Some plants grow upright, while others bush out—so pay attention to the growing instructions when pairing your plants and be sure to give them the space they need. 

Much like in nature across the world, biodiversity is key. A diverse mixture of plants can deter the spread of pests, encourage growth across the garden, and create your own sustainable ecosystem. 

Once you know the plants you’re interested in growing, look into which ones will be best suited to companion planting. Gardening for me has always been a labour of love—with no shortage of mistakes and learning lessons along the way. I’m planning for some container companions, and we might all discover some new things this summer!

And as we discussed last month In the Garden, there are plenty of other ways to prepare your yard and garden for the season to come. 

Clean your tools and pots; disperse large snow piles from low-lying areas prone to flooding; ensure your mulch is thick enough to protect your perennial roots from late-season frost. Be sure your shrubs and trees are receiving enough water. 

And now is a great time to trim dead or broken growth from your fruit trees, and prune any misshapen shrubs—but be sure not to take off more than twenty percent of the total branch volume at once or the plant could go into shock. 

Check out February’s In the Garden post for more pointers as the snow begins to melt. 

The Floral Acres benches will be open for business later in April, with the tree department filling in towards May. We aren’t that far out now! 

As always, however, the greenhouse remains open with a massive variety of houseplants, from common, easy-care friends, to some of the rarest and most popular collectible plants. Shop in store or online for the next addition to your collection!

Hopefully you’re as excited as I am for the growing season just around the corner. Until next time!