March Planting Guide for Dripping Springs: What to Plant and What to Protect

The Hill Country is bursting into color. Redbuds are showing off their magenta blooms. Mountain laurels perfume the air with that unmistakable grape soda scent. And here in Dripping Springs, March is the month when gardeners and homeowners shake off winter and head outside with purpose.

But March in Central Texas comes with a warning label. This month offers ideal conditions for planting many trees, yet it also marks the beginning of a critical danger period for our most beloved species. At ATX Trees, we want you to plant with confidence and protect with knowledge. This March planting guide for Dripping Springs covers both.

The March Dilemma: Plant Now, But Protect Carefully

March is a month of contradictions in the Texas Hill Country. The weather is glorious, the soil is workable, and trees are eager to grow. Yet this same month opens the door to one of the most devastating threats to our landscape: oak wilt .

Understanding this balance is the key to successful March planting guide for Dripping Springs execution. You can absolutely plant this month. You just need to know which trees are safe to plant and which existing trees need your protection.

Critical Warning: The Oak Wilt Danger Zone

February 1 through June 30 is oak wilt season in Central Texas . During these months, nitidulid beetles (also called sap beetles) are actively carrying oak wilt fungal spores. These tiny beetles are attracted to fresh pruning wounds on oak trees, where they can introduce a disease that kills tens of thousands of oak trees across Texas.

If you take away nothing else from this March planting guide for Dripping Springs, remember this:

• DO NOT prune any oak trees (Live Oaks, Red Oaks, Shumard Oaks, Lacey Oaks, etc.) between now and July 1

• DO NOT wound oak trees with lawn equipment, construction, or accidental damage

• DO paint any accidental wounds immediately with latex paint to seal them from beetles

This rule is non-negotiable for protecting the majestic oaks that define our Hill Country landscape.

March Planting Guide in Dripping Springs:

The good news? March is still an excellent time to plant many trees, as long as they are not oaks requiring pruning. Here are the best choices for your March planting guide for Dripping Springs:

Trees That Thrive with March Planting

• Mexican Sycamore | $575Fast-growing with striking white bark that peels to reveal cream and olive patches. March planting gives it a full season to establish before summer. It's one of the quickest ways to add shade and visual interest .

• Magnolia (DD Blanchard & Little Gem) | $575These evergreen beauties establish well when planted in early spring. The warming soil encourages root growth while mild air reduces transplant shock. Plant now for summer blooms and year-round privacy .

• Crape Myrtles | $575March is perfect for planting crape myrtles before they leaf out. Choose your favorite colors and sizes now for spectacular summer blooms. Just remember: never "top" them !

• Vitex | $575Also called the "Texas Lilac," vitex is practically indestructible and blooms all summer. March planting lets it establish roots before putting energy into those famous purple flower spikes that butterflies adore.

• Bald Cypress | $575Despite its name, this native conifer thrives in March planting. Its feathery foliage emerges soft green, deepens over summer, and turns russet in fall. Tolerates wet or dry conditions .

• Mexican Plum | $575If you find one at the nursery now, grab it! Mexican plums bloom in late winter, so you may even catch its fragrant white flowers this very spring. Plant now for future spring beauty and wildlife value.

• Mountain Laurel | $575Yes, they're slow-growing. Yes, they can be finicky about drainage. But the intoxicating grape soda fragrance of their spring blooms makes every patient gardener weep with joy. March planting gives them maximum time to settle before next year's bloom season.

• Texas Redbud | $575You'll see these blooming all over Dripping Springs right now. Planting a container-grown redbud in March is perfectly fine, and you'll enjoy its heart-shaped leaves through summer and golden fall color .

• Yaupon Holly | $575This native evergreen is practically indestructible. Plant in March for year-round structure and winter berries that feed our birds. Tolerates sun or shade, wet or dry.

• Carolina Sapphire Cypress | $575For fast privacy screens, plant these silver-blue beauties now. They grow 2-3 feet per year and their unique color adds interest to any landscape.

What About Oaks?

You may be wondering: can I plant oak trees in March?

Yes, you can plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped oak trees in March . The key distinction: you can plant them, but you cannot prune them. Plant your Lacey Oak, Live Oak, or Monterey Oak now, water it carefully, and leave the pruning shears in the shed until winter.

March Tree Care Essentials

Beyond planting, March requires attention to your existing trees. Here are the most important tasks for your March planting guide for Dripping Springs checklist:

1. Fertilize Strategically

As trees break dormancy, they benefit from nutrition. Apply a slow-release, balanced fertilizer around the drip line of your trees (the area under the outermost branches). Water it in deeply. Avoid high-nitrogen lawn fertilizers near trees .

2. Mulch Generously

Refresh mulch around your trees to a depth of 2-4 inches, keeping it several inches away from trunks. This conserves moisture, regulates soil temperature, and suppresses weeds.

3. Water Wisely

March weather is unpredictable. If rains are sparse, deep-water newly planted trees weekly and established trees every 2-3 weeks. Pay special attention to evergreens like magnolias and live oaks, which lose moisture through their leaves year-round .

4. Inspect for Winter Damage

Check trees for broken branches, cracks, or signs of disease. Minor damage can be addressed now, but remember the oak wilt rule: if it's an oak, wait until winter for pruning unless it's an immediate safety hazard .

5. Watch for Pests

Warmer weather brings insects. Monitor for aphids, scale, and other early-season pests. A strong spray of water dislodges many problems before they escalate.

6. Plan for Summer Heat

March is the time to prepare for the inevitable Texas summer. Consider:

• Installing or testing irrigation systems now

• Adding shade cloth for vulnerable young trees

• Identifying areas that need additional shade trees for summer cooling

What Gardeners Are Doing in Dripping Springs Right Now

According to Central Texas gardening experts, March is bustling with activity:

Planting:

• Warm-season vegetables: tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash (after last frost)

• Herbs: rosemary, oregano, thyme, mint

• Wildflower transplants: bluebonnets, larkspur, poppies

• Ornamental grasses: muhly, Mexican feather grass

Pruning (non-oaks!):

• Roses (early March)

• Evergreen shrubs

• Dormant perennials

Dividing and Moving:

• Still time to divide and move dormant perennials, roses, and shrubs

Lawn Care:

• Mow winter weeds before they set seed

• Hold off on fertilizing lawns until April

Your March Action Plan

To summarize this March planting guide for Dripping Springs, here is your simple action plan:

✅ DO:

• Plant non-oak trees and container-grown oaks

• Fertilize existing trees

• Refresh mulch

• Water deeply as needed

• Attend community tree events

• Plan summer shade strategies

❌ DO NOT:

• Prune any oak trees until winter

• Wound oaks with equipment

• Top crape myrtles (ever!)

• Ignore signs of pest or disease

Visit ATX Trees This March

Our Dripping Springs nurseries are fully stocked with healthy, ready-to-plant trees perfect for March installation. Our team can help you select the right species for your specific conditions and goals.

24250 Ranch Road 12, Dripping Springs, TX 78620

2201 W Hwy 290, Dripping Springs, TX 78620

March hours: Open seven days a week, 8am to 6pm.

Make This March Count

March in Dripping Springs is a gift. The weather is beautiful, the landscape is waking up, and the possibilities for your outdoor space are endless. By following this March planting guide for Dripping Springs, you can add beautiful new trees to your property while protecting the majestic oaks that make the Hill Country special.

Contact ATX Trees today for expert advice, quality trees, and professional installation. Let's make this March the start of your best landscape year yet.