March has finally arrived. Many are inspired by the random warm days and can’t wait to get their hands in the soil.

While this winter, or non-winter as some have called it, has been somewhat mild, frost can still appear in late March through the second week of April, the Mathews community gardeners’ group, Planters with a Purpose, cautions.

That being said, they recently offered a few checklist pointers here.

Spring preparation

Be sure to collect soil samples for testing the status of nutrient and pH level on current and future planting beds. Mathews Virginia Cooperative Extension has soil sample kits available for you to pick up. Have you ordered your seeds for the season? If not, there are numerous online resources in addition to our local garden center stores. Remember, warm weather seeds that are sowed directly into your garden favor days around 70 degrees and evenings around 50 degrees. Need help with garden bed mulching or maintenance? Now is the time to line up help...