March marks the beginning of spring, bringing longer days and milder weather. The garden starts to wake up, and it’s a busy month for preparation, planting, and tidying.
General Maintenance
– Clean up winter debris: Remove leaves, dead foliage, and weeds from beds, borders, and paths.
– Prepare soil: Dig over beds, add organic matter, and rake to create a fine tilth for sowing.
– Inspect tools and equipment: Make sure everything is ready for peak gardening season.
Ornamental Gardening
– Plant summer-flowering bulbs: Gladioli, lilies, and alliums can be planted now for a vibrant summer display.
– Prune shrubs: Trim back roses, buddleia, and hydrangeas before growth gets underway.
– **Divide and transplant perennials**: Lift and divide overcrowded clumps to rejuvenate plants and fill gaps.
– Support climbing plants: Fix trellises and add supports for clematis and other climbers starting to grow.
– **Sow hardy annuals**: Sow seeds like calendula, cornflowers, and poppies directly into prepared soil.
Fruit and Vegetable Gardening
– Sow early vegetables: Carrots, parsnips, beetroot, and salad leaves can be sown outdoors if the soil is warm.
– Plant potatoes: Start with first early potatoes, planting them 10-15 cm deep in prepared trenches.
– Start warm-season crops indoors: Sow tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers in propagators or warm windowsills.
– **Feed fruit trees and bushes**: Apply a general-purpose fertilizer to boost growth as buds break.
– Plant asparagus crowns: Choose a sunny, well-drained site for long-term crops.
Lawn Care
– Mow the lawn: Give your lawn its first light cut if the grass is dry. Set the mower blades high to avoid damaging new growth.
– Repair bare patches: Rake over damaged areas, sow grass seed, and keep it moist for germination.
– **Edge the lawn**: Neaten edges to define borders and pathways.
Wildlife and Sustainability
– Provide food and shelter: Continue feeding birds and check for nesting activity.
– **Add a wildlife pond**: March is a great time to dig a pond or refresh an existing one.
– Plant for pollinators: Grow early nectar sources like flowering currants, primroses, and lungwort.
March is a turning point in the gardening calendar, with opportunities to prepare and plant for the months ahead. It’s a rewarding time to get outdoors and enjoy the first signs of new life!
