As the snow and ice finally recede across our coastal communities from Plymouth to Newport, many of us are eagerly (and perhaps a bit anxiously) surveying our yards. We know the feeling well. It is easy to wonder what has survived intact and what might need a little extra care after a harsh season. At the Bernadette Kelly Group, we are problem-solvers. We acknowledge the challenges of the winter weather honestly, but we always pivot to the strategy and opportunity for our clients.
Because we curate the coastal lifestyle across MA and RI, we know that your landscape is a vital part of your home’s appeal and value. Whether you are preparing for the spring market or simply tending to your personal oasis, here is how our team approaches March garden cleanup and pruning.
STORM CLEANUP AND PATIENCE
The urge to immediately brush snow from foundation plantings like boxwoods and Chinese hollies is strong, but patience is key. We recommend proceeding slowly and gently to avoid unnecessary breakage.
- Use a small garden trowel, rather than a heavy shovel, to gently prod and shake loose only the snow that is already yielding.
- Do not force frozen clumps, as this can snap the stems they cling to.
- For larger shrubs, sweeping away loose snow with a broom can allow melting to naturally penetrate the main stems without straining the outer tips.
PRUNING SHRUBS AND TREES
March is an excellent time to cut back hardy varieties once the snow has fully freed them.
- Safe to Prune Now: Twig dogwood, potentilla, spirea, willows, butterfly bushes, roses, Rose of Sharon, certain fruit trees (excluding peaches), grapes, and hydrangeas that flower on new growth (like smooth and panicle varieties).
- Damaged Limbs: Carefully prune broken or damaged branches on dogwoods, curly willows, and apple or pear trees to encourage healthy healing.
- Note: If your plants have already broken dormancy and started to bud, prune very lightly to avoid sacrificing this year’s blooms.
TACKLING EVERGREENS
Pruning evergreens can feel daunting because their shape is so integral to their beauty, and they grow much slower than deciduous plants. If you are tackling boxwoods, PJM rhododendrons, or false cypress this year, research specific shaping techniques and ensure you have the proper tools before making the first cut. Take it slow to minimize snow damage and retain the elegant shapes of your mature plants. Laurels are a notable exception, as they grow quickly and will naturally fill in bare spots!
PLANTING AND TRANSPLANTING
If you are eager to get your hands in the soil, stick to hardy plants accustomed to outside temperatures.
- Delay transplanting spring-flowering shrubs until after they have bloomed, otherwise, you risk losing all their flowers for the season.
- By late March, cool-weather crops like peas and greens can go into workable soil.
- You can also cold-sow hardy seeds now—such as poppies, nasturtiums, and zinnias—which actually benefit from a dormant cold period to promote healthy summer growth.
As Bernadette Kelly notes about her own Marion garden, “We gardeners are generally a hardy lot, and optimistic by nature.” We couldn’t agree more. With a little strategy and care, your coastal landscape will be thriving in no time.
How Can We Help?
- Get a free home valuation at https://bkellygroup.com/home-value/
- Start your free home search across the coast at bkellygroup.com
- Read our latest Coastal Market Report at https://bkellygroup.com/newsletter/
Schedule a confidential 1:1 consultation with Bernadette at https://tinyurl.com/BKGHello