March is the month that brings fair-weather gardeners out of hibernation. By now the early spring bulbs are flowering. prolifically and by the end of the month, in mild areas or after a favourable winter, the main spring-flowering shrubs such as forsythia will be in bloom.
Warmth can now be felt in the strengthening sun, and many seeds germinate readily if they are sown outside. Weed seedlings also germinate freely at this time, and plants such as nettles that die down to ground level in the autumn start to produce fresh new growth. It is impossible not to be aware suddenly that there are all kinds of jobs that need to be done in the garden. Fortunately the better weather makes most of these jobs a pleasure.
Feed seedlings before nutrients in the compost become exhausted.
- Mulch beds and borders while soil is moist to reduce watering and weeding later in the year.
- Sow seeds of summer bedding plants, annual climbers, herbs, sweet peas, tomatoes and many vegetables this month. Some seeds can be sown directly into open ground but most benefit from being started off in pots or trays with protection from bad weather and pests.
- Prick out seedlings before they become overcrowded, otherwise they will make poor plants.
- Thin hardy annuals and vegetables sown in the open ground before they become crowded and compete with each other for light and nutrients.
- Pot up or space out in seed trays in the greenhouse young bedding plants and tender perennials ordered by post as soon as possible after they arrive.
- Divide congested clumps of border perennials before they make a lot of new growth.
- Take hardwood cuttings of any shrubs you wish to propagate. Soon new growth will make this kind of cutting inappropriate.
- Take root cuttings; they are more likely to root if taken from dormant plants.
- Prune roses as soon as possible, ideally before this year's new growth is well developed.
- Complete planting of bare-root fruit trees and bushes and bare-root roses and other shrubs this month to give them time to establish before dry summer weather.
- Start spraying fruit such as apples and pears if you have had problems with pests and diseases in previous years. The timing for some sprays is critical and depends on the state of the buds or flowers to avoid harming bees and other beneficial insects.
- Be strict about pest control in the greenhouse. Warm March days under glass can encourage a population explosion of many greenhouse pests and early control is important.
- Remove the pool heater if you used one over the winter and replace it with the pump.
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