Martha’s Month

MARCH 2017

Gentle reminders, helpful tips, and important dates.

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

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Test garden soil for nutrients Start cabbage, brussels-sprout, and broccoli seeds Schedule postwinter spa appointments Make birthday cakes for grandkids Jude and Truman

Cardio and core Weight training

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Celebrate Jude and Truman’s birthdays Truman’s birthday

Order gladiolas and dahlias Prune tea roses to remove winterkill Jude’s birthday

Start vegetable seeds in soil blocks (see right) Wash dog beds Have stables cleaned Morning hike

Weight training Yoga Cardio and core Weight training

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DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME BEGINS

Plant eggplant and pepper seeds in greenhouse Have cars cleaned, waxed, and serviced Rotate houseplants to ensure even sun exposure Martha Stewart Center for Living Gala Bake Irish soda bread

ST. PATRICK’S DAY

Have friends over for dinner Schedule pets’ Lyme-disease and heartworm booster shots

Go for a horseback ride

Weight training Yoga Cardio and core Weight training

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Remove storm windows, wash sashes, and replace screens

FIRST DAY OF SPRING

Have curtains steam-cleaned Photograph early spring flowers for blog Bring fresh eggs to off ice Touch up paint on house trim Have winter coats cleaned at green drycleaner (see page 59) Go for a horseback ride

Weight training Yoga Cardio and core Weight training

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Take outdoor furniture out of storage Deep-clean area rugs A New Way to Bake hits bookstores

Bake sweet oat-walnut crisps (see page 85) Stock up on spring-cleaning supplies Remove burlap from boxwoods Plant sweetpeas

Weight training Yoga Cardio and core

“This time of year, we are planting so many seeds in the greenhouse. I love to use a soilblocker tool to make blocks of soil, which can go directly into the ground at planting time.” —Martha

SOIL BLOCKS HOW-TO

For her soil-blocker tool, Martha uses Soil Block Makers (from $28 each, johnnyseeds.com). 1. Moisten a soil-less mix that’s made for seed starting, then pack it into the soil-blocker tool. 2. Carefully push out the blocks into a tray. The blockers have small dibbles attached. Use them to make a small indentation in each block for placing the seed. 3. Cover the seed with a thin layer of soil-less mix and water. 4. Plant the blocks directly into the earth when they’re ready—no need for extra pots.