Giant Veggie Gardener - March Edition

In this episode of The Garden Journal, host Alexa Bradford chats with Janine Cabusel of Giant Veggie Gardener about April tasks in northern New Mexico vegetable gardens. With days lengthening after the March 20 spring equinox—when Earth's tilt aligns for equal day and night lengths—gardens ramp up. Janine shares hands-on strategies for weeds, cool-season plantings, and perennials, emphasizing protection from heat, cold snaps, and critters amid variable spring weather.

Weed Control and Soil Prep

Weeds like gray-green, lacy mustard plants emerge now, drawing pests such as leafhoppers, so pull them immediately from garden paths and beds. For prevention, apply organic corn gluten meal (10% nitrogen) as a pre-emergent on paths and driveways—it burns germinating weed seeds but fertilizes established weeds or plants, so avoid veggie beds or seed-planting areas for three months. Don't use it on lawns with native grasses like blue grama or buffalo grass, as effects are unpredictable. Janine pre-waters beds deeply (3-4 inches down) before planting to ensure moist soil for establishment, and stresses twice-daily watering for new seeds until rooted.