Jobs for the garden - March

Marching into spring

We’ve got a spring in our step as we march into the new season. The air is certainly warmer, although beware of those late frosts, and we’re seeing signs that spring is almost here.

Snowdrops, daffodils and primroses are popping up everywhere as the month of new beginnings gets underway.

New season, new shoots, new plans are all signs of mad March, as are new weeds and new pests!

Welcome spring, let’s hope this is going to be a great, growing season for all.

Let’s grow!
There is plenty to sow in March, whether that is direct in the soil, under cloches or in the greenhouse.

• Direct sow carrots, beetroot and spring onions.
• Onion, shallot and garlic sets can now be planted direct into the soil.
• Sow turnips and early peas.
• Chit early potatoes to give them a head start. Take a look at the ‘How to chit early potatoes’ blog for more information.
• Sow early salad crops. Not sure what to sow? The ‘How to get the best from salad leaves’ blog has a host of ideas.
• As the soil warms, plant early broad beans and asparagus crowns.
• In the greenhouse plant tomato seeds, chillies and cucumbers.
• Winter may be far away, but early, winter brassicas can be started off in the greenshose.
• Stone-fruits can now be planted. Plum, nectarines and peaches make great additions to the garden.
• Strawberries can be planted direct in the ground or in pots towards the end of the month and into April. If you are new to growing strawberries, take a look at the ‘Growing your own strawberries’ blog.
• Continue to plant gooseberries, raspberries, blackberries etc. Top dress with Vitax Q4 and gently hoe in.

Spring blooms

• Continue to prune wisteria, ornamental grasses etc whilst still dormant.
• Cornflowers, lupins etc. can be planted out.
• Start to harden off sweet peas in the greenhouse ready to be planted out at the end of the month.
• Plant bare root shrubs such as skimmia.
• Sow hard annuals, such as sunflowers, direct in the ground.
• Plan a continual rotation of flowers for cutting. Take a look at the ‘Growing flowers for cutting’ for handy tips.
• Plant border perennials such as agapanthus.
• Pick off the seedheads from daffodils once the blooms have faded, but leave foliage, and continue to deadhead winter pansies etc. as they fade.
• Dahlia and begonia tubers can be planted in pots in the greenhouse.
• Repot orchids and other houseplants before active growth and flowering begins.

Pests & garden maintenance

• Continue to clean bird baths and feeders with Greenhouse Disinfectant to remove traces of disease.
• Service mowers, strimmers etc.
• As the weather warms, weeds will make an unwelcome re-appearance. Regularly weed borders to keep on top of it.
• Mulch borders and continue to improve the structure and health of the soil by adding 6X Natural Fibrous Fertiliser and Soil Conditioner or Blood, Fish & Bone.
• It’s slug season, although they seem to be a year-round problem now. Use Slug Gone around the base of crops and flowers that need additional protection.
• If needed and the ground is dry, trim the lawn but do not cut too low at this stage.
• If the ground is not waterlogged and you are looking to lay new turf, now is the ideal time. The ‘Starting a new lawn’ blog will provide some great tips.

March’s ‘To-Do’ list gets longer and longer, but there is no need to do it all at once! Whilst we enter a new season at the end of the month, March can be a changeable month. Sunny and breezy one minute and the next, full-on frost and giving winter vibes. Take your lead from the weather.

Here’s to a happy growing season!