Seasonal Advice for March 2013: Recipes, Gardening, Folklore

March 2013 brings with it the promise of gardening and warm, sunny days, as Earth turns its frostbitten cheek in the Vernal Equinox to herald spring.

For glad spring has begun,
And to the ardent sun
The earth, long time so bleak,
Turns a frost-bitten cheek.
—Celia Thaxter
 

Calendar

March was named for the Roman god of war, Mars. This was the time of year to resume military campaigns that had been interrupted by winter. March also brings:

On March 10, 2012 (starting at 2 A.M.), it's time to move clocks one hour ahead! See more details about Daylight Saving Time.

"On St. Patrick's Day, the warm side of a stone turns up, and the broad-back goose begins to lay." See more about St. Patrick's Day (March 17).

The Vernal Equinox is on March 20 at 7:02 A.M. See our First Day of Spring page for more about spring!

The first day of Passover falls on March 26. Read more about Passover.

Easter Sunday is especially early this year, falling on March 31. The dates of Easter are tied to the full Moon and the vernal equinox (not the civil calendar). See how the date of Easter is calculated.

Check the full March calendar for more holidays and events.

Gardening

In March, many gardeners are actively seeding. Our Best Dates to Plant charts is customized to your frost dates!

Also, see our tips on ordering seeds and starting seeds indoors.

Garden work should begin when a lump of soil squeezed in the hand is dry enough to fall apart slowly. See our list of planting tools and techniques to help you get started.

Did you know that St. Patrick's is the traditional day to plant peas? See how to plant peas in our Almanac video.

Cooking and Recipes

In celebration of Saint Patrick's Day, try making some traditional Irish food:
Corned Beef Brisket with Spring Vegetables
Irish Soda Bread
Corned Beef and Cabbage (video)

It's also the start of spring! Enjoy this delicious Spring Risotto recipe, featured in our new Garden-Fresh Cookbook. 

See our Seasonal Cooking: Spring Recipes collection for more recipes using seasonal ingredients.

Astronomy and Moon

Look up! Enjoy the night sky from your own backyard. See Sky Watch highlights for March.

Why do the seasons change? Read our article, Reasons for the Seasons. 

The Full Worm Moon is on March 27. See the Full Moon times for your location.    

The vernal equinox is on the 20th. Find out your changing day length with our Sun rise and set tool!

Home Hints & Remedies

According to folklore, wear a sprig of rosemary in your hair to improve your memory! Here are more Tips & Tricks to Improve Your Memory.

March brings rain and mud! Sprinkle salt on carpets to dry out muddy footprints before vacuuming. See more cleaning tips.

Birds & Fishing

Spring is almost upon us! See the signs of spring.

Spring means fishing! See the Almanac's 2013 Best Days to Fish chart.

Check birdhouses for damage and give them a spring cleaning before tenants arrive for the season. Learn how to attract birds to your garden!

Folklore for the Season

March comes in with adders' heads and goes out with peacocks' tails.

So many mists in March you see, So many frosts in May will be.

In beginning or in end, March its gifts will send.