In like a lion, out like a lamb, or so they say. March can start chilly, but by the end of the month the temperature will have improved. Your garden is waking up! And there are lots of jobs to be getting on with this month.
- Wake up your garden – Clear away any straggly dead stuff from winter, like soggy leaves and old stems.
- Prune roses – Early March is the time to give your roses a good haircut before they burst into leaf. Aim for strong, healthy growth.
- Divide summer flowering perennials – Split them and spread the love. Replant in their new spot as soon as possible, and water well.
- Plant summer-flowering bulbs – Think lilies, gladioli, and dahlias (once the heavy frosts are no longer forecast).
- Weed now, thank yourself later – Weeds are waking up too, so catch them early before they throw a party.
- Plant early spuds – Get your first earlies in the ground or in potato bags. They love a head start.
- Feed your borders – Chuck some compost or well-rotted manure around to give your plants a boost.
- Feed ericaceous shrubs – With an ericaceous fertiliser (think camellias, rhododendrons, azaleas and pieris).
- Sow hardy annuals outside – Things like calendula and nigella can handle the chill. Scatter them straight into the soil.
- Top up bird feeders – Our feathered friends are nesting soon and need the energy.
- Keep an eye on slugs – They’re sneaky and already out for tender new shoots. Time to lay some traps or barriers.
- Hard prune dogwoods and cotinus – you can cut close to the base to promote vigorous new growth.
- Check shrubs and small trees – remove any wind damaged branches. Larger trees require a professional touch.
- Sow sweet peas – you can start these off in pots on a sunny windowsill if you don’t have a greenhouse.
- Mow your lawn – it may now be needed! Wait for a period of dry.
