Start of the Season in Agriculture and Horticulture: Battle with Flooded Fields and Intensive Maintenance Work

The beginning of March 2026 presents the Polish agro-horticultural sector with a series of challenges stemming from unstable weather conditions and the agrotechnical calendar. The situation in cultivated fields is alarming in many regions of the country, where excess water prevents the timely start of work. Farmers report that, six months after the previous floods, land is underwater again, posing a real threat to winter rapeseed and wheat. Water stagnation leads to root hypoxia, which in the long term can result in a significant reduction in yields or the need to liquidate plantations. Despite difficult field conditions, March 1st formally marks the start of the permissible period for applying nitrogen fertilizers. Experts emphasize the need for precise product selection, pointing to, among others, urea with inhibitor. Simultaneously, the first warnings about biological threats are emerging. The presence of pests such as the cabbage stem weevil has been recorded on rapeseed plantations. Farmers are encouraged to set out yellow traps to monitor the influx of these insects. The history of Polish agriculture has repeatedly shown that March frosts combined with excess post-snow moisture determine the country's food security for the following months.In horticulture, March is a time of intensive post-winter recovery. Expert advice focuses on fertilizing American blueberries and proper pruning of fruit shrubs and ornamental grasses, such as miscanthus or fountain grass. Much attention is paid to home methods, e.g., using willow water as a natural rooting hormone. Amateur gardeners should also pay attention to the condition of cherry laurels, which after a frosty winter may show symptoms of leaf browning. Before deciding to cut down the plant, it is recommended to perform a shoot vitality test. „Już się przebudziły i są głodne. Polscy leśnicy mają bezcenną radę.” (They have already awakened and are hungry. Polish foresters have invaluable advice.) — State Forests Foresters In the horticultural advisory sector, the importance of March as the month for planting fruit trees with so-called bare roots and preparing perennial beds is emphasized. However, specialists warn against raking lawns too early if the soil is still too wet and soft, which could lead to the destruction of the turf structure. An important maintenance element is also the mycorrhiza treatment in blueberry cultivation, which significantly strengthens their resistance to environmental stresses. March Tasks vs February: Nitrogen fertilization: Prohibited (until Feb 28) → Permitted (from March 1); Shrub pruning: Dormant phase → Intensive sanitary pruning; Plant protection: No pests → Cabbage stem weevil monitoring