You’ll know Shaun Ryan as one of our fabulous presenters on YouGarden TV. Here, in his own words, he explains just what is so special about March in the garden
“I absolutely love gardening and have gardened all my life since being a very young boy. I wanted to share with you my love of March in the garden, because for me it’s absolutely one of my favourite months and one of the most important in the gardening calendar.
“In many ways it feels like the true start of the gardening year. When I look around my garden in March (and the village pub garden I look after ) so many of my favourite plants are beginning to look wonderful.
“Depending on spring conditions (last year’s was amazing) you may see narcissus, crocus and tulips all coming into bloom, bringing with them those first real splashes of colour after a very long dull winter.
“Alongside these, some beautiful shrubs and perennials are putting on a real show too – hellebores are still looking elegant, forsythia burst into bright yellow flower, and Magnolia Stellata begins to steal the spotlight.
“One of my absolute favourites at this time of year is Prunus ‘Kojo-no-mai’. I have one growing in the front of my garden! And let me tell you, it’s simply magical in March. Its delicate blossom appears along those characterful zig-zag branches and it never fails to stop grabbing my attention and those early pollinators too.
“Another thing I love about March are the longer days. Suddenly you can get outside and actually get things done in the garden again. I must admit, I’m also a bit of a lawn fanatic so March is usually when I can finally get the mower out, give the lawn its first cut of the year, and start feeding it so it starts to look halfway decent again after a very wet winter.
“There’s something really satisfying about nurturing small plants and watching them develop into huge colourful summer displays”
“I’m also lucky enough to have a good-sized greenhouse and March is when it really starts to come into its own. It’s the perfect time to start off dahlias and begonias, and YouGarden has some fantastic varieties to choose from each year.
“I also enjoy growing on plug plants such as Osteospermum – ‘Purple Sun’ are my favourites – Geraniums, Fuchsias , and whatever else takes my fancy. There’s something really satisfying about nurturing those small plants and watching them develop into huge colourful summer displays. Plus, it saves me so much money rather than buying larger established plant!
“So yes, I’m always delighted when March finally arrives. It’s a month full of promise and fresh beginnings in the garden. I hope you’re able to get outside, make some plans and enjoy this special month of year as much as I do…
See you soon! Shaun.”
