Have you noticed how many of the redbud trees are in bloom for the second time this season? It has to do with the warm winter and the wonderful rains we have experienced.

I have had many questions concerning roses, so I hope this information will be helpful.

It is time to prune and feed the roses. Remove all dead and broken stems from all roses. Wait until the climbing roses and one-time bloomers have bloomed in early spring before cutting them back; the same for all spring blooming plants, such as Mt. Laurel, bridal veil, and others. Hybrid tea roses should have the center stems removed and cut back by one-third. These are your show roses. Antique roses and knockout only need to have dead wood removed and trimmed back to the size you need them to be. Keep all roses and all blooming plants dead-headed. This helps to keep the roses and flowers blooming. Fertilize regularly and never let the roots become dry.

If you have a problem with thrips in your roses, and ticks or fleas in your lawn, now is the time to add Beneficial Nematodes into the soil. They must be treated while in the ground. I have the best results using the nematodes that are on the blue sponge. It is best to treat after a rain or when you have watered the lawn or plants. If you aren’t familiar with this treatment, ask the nursery person who sold them to you.

Things to do in March:

• Fertilize roses, lawn, trees, shrubs, flowers, and gardens.

• Begin to seed bermuda grass, buffalo grass, and sod St. Augustine sod. The seed will need to be kept wet until the seeds germinate and the sod will need to be kept damp until the roots have become attached to the soil.

• Prune newly transplanted plants to compensate for the root loss.

• Begin seeding cantaloupes, okra, southern peas, sweet potato slips, pumpkin, and watermelon.

• Check vegetables for aphids and common insects.

• Begin a peach and plum spray program at pink bud stage.

• Add mulch to combat weeds and help retain moisture. Mulch shredded from local trees is very good; add compost with it and it is called living mulch. It is the best combination. Don’t place mulch touching the stems or trunks.

Tip: To attract butterflies, plant Gregg’s Blue Mistflower. It is easy to grow, has very few problems, and it spreads easily. Plant in light shade or full sun.