March is the true wake-up call for the garden and your gardening endeavours. As the days grow longer and the first hints of spring warmth return, plants stir back to life, and so should we!
This is the month to shake off winter’s slumber and get stuck into some essential garden tasks that will set the stage for a spectacular growing season.
Whether it’s pruning, sowing, mulching, or tidying up after winter’s mess, a little effort now will pay off in lush growth, vibrant blooms, and a thriving outdoor space.
So, grab your gloves, dust off the tools, and step outside – there’s plenty of gardening to be done in March, and your space will thank you for it in the months to come!
Spruce, Tidy, and Cut Back Trees and Shrubs
Take your time to stroll around your garden, examining which trees, shrubs, and plants need a bit of TLC before spring really takes hold.
For example, any seed heads and stems that you left on perennials for interest across the winter should now be cut back as far as possible, just be sure to avoid damaging emerging growth.
Mophead and lacecap Hydrangeas should be trimmed as buds start to swell, while flowerheads can be removed using secateurs, cutting back to the nearest pair of healthy-looking buds.
Place supports around the emerging stems of perennials to prevent flopping later in the season. Link stakes are ideal for larger clumps, while wire mesh rings are great for multi-stemmed perennials, such as asters.
Tie individual stems of delphinium, hollyhock, Verbascum and other tall-growing plants to stout canes with garden twine.
Essential Garden Maintenance
Spring cleaning is not just an exclusive task for the home – your greenhouse will also appreciate some attention!
On a dry day, clear potting benches, pots, and compost bags, out of the greenhouse, then give it all a good sweep and clean. Tidy up the pots and trays, removing dead leaves or flowers from last year, before putting everything back.
Prepare the ground for starting new lawns from seed. Rake the soil level, remove stones, and broadcast seed by scattering them across the area. Rake gently into the surface, then water. You may want to cover the seeded area with netting to protect from the threat of birds.
Around The Kitchen Garden
Many of us use the garden to produce delicious crops of fruit, vegetables, and more, cutting down grocery lists and costs.
Spread a thin, roughly three inch, layer of shredded horse manure around the cane, bush, or tree of fruit plants. This will give them a much-needed boost. Just be sure to leave a clear gap between the stem and the manure.
Sow seeds of beetroot, broad beans, peas, and summer spinach in well-prepared soil.
Enjoy a crop of summer blueberries by planting young bushes in large pots filled with ericaceous compost.
And Our Final Top Tip…
Few summer fruits match the taste of strawberries, and this is the year for you to grow your own! Plant these low-maintenance and reliable growers now to enjoy sweet and juicy berries for years to come.
Thriving happily in your garden’s sunniest spots, these plants produce white spring flowers, which evolve to heavy yields of fruit. And with so many varieties available on the market, there is sure to be a strawberry for you! Ranging from the huge fruits of Strawberry ‘Sweet Colossus’, to the ever reliable Strawberry ‘Cambridge Favourite’.
For a start to finish guide on growing impressive strawberries, check out our expert guide here.
I have a area in the garden that has heavy clay soil How can I improve it I want to grow potatoes
Hi David! You can improve heavy clay soil by digging in plenty of well-rotted compost or manure. This’ll improve drainage and structure. Some grit or sharp sand may help too.