March jobs for the garden

The weather is decidedly balmy, and we have a spring in our step as we hurtle towards the new season. Gone are the January snowstorms and February floods as the weather warms and we start to feel spring the air.

Primroses and daffodils adorn borders and pots, and new shoots are popping up everywhere as spring comes into view. The laid-back winter months are replaced with the promise of new beginnings and with it a change of pace in the garden.

Pull on those wellies as you’ll need to pick up the pace as the growing season gets fully underway.

Blooming lovely!

• Before the weather gets too warm, finish off any pruning that needs taking place before shrubs and plants spring back to life.
• Deadhead any remaining winter flowers.
• Tidy those borders and mulch.
• Cut back ornamental grasses.
• Direct plant hardy annuals such as cornflowers and marigolds.
• Plant begonia tubers.
• If you planted tulips during winter, these will now start to come through. The ‘Getting the best from tulips’ blog provides some quick and easy tips to keep them blooming.
• Lilies are beautiful flowers and bring much needed colour after the winter months. If you have not planted lilies before, take a look at the ‘Planting Lilies’ blog.
• Although we are only just entering spring, now is the time to plant summer bulbs. Alliums, dahlias and freesias will add pops of colour and bridge the gap as spring flowers give way to the vibrancy of summer blooms.
• Plants roses, shrubs and trees. Take a look at the ‘Planting Roses’ blogs for some quick tips.
• To give new roses and shrubs a boost. Add Q4 Rootmore with Mycorrhizal Fungi to the bottom and place roots directly on top to encourage strong root growth.
• Ericaceous plants such as rhododendrons and azaleas are jewels of the late spring garden and need a specialist Ericaceous Feed to help them thrive. Take a look at the ‘Getting the best from azaleas and rhododendrons’ blog for more information.
• Check new shoots for aphids and remove.
• The wet weather has certainly given slugs a headstart into the new season. Protect hostas and other plants with Slug Gone Wool Pellets before new shoots start disappearing.
• Sprinkle wildflower seeds in areas where it’s difficult to plant and see your garden become a hive of activity for insects.
• The warmer weather will mean houseplants will need to be watered and fed more regularly. If you are unsure which feed to use, take a look at the houseplant care range for guidance.

Sow and grow

• Hoe vegetable patches. If you have clay soil, add Clay Breaker to condition the soil without altering the pH.
• Direct sow beetroot, carrots and other root vegetables.
• Sow early peas.
• Plant onions and shallots.
• If you chitted your potatoes in late January or early February, these should now be ready to plant out.
• In the greenhouse start to plant vegetables such as beans, celery and celeriac.
• Plant rhubarb.
• If you have packed your garden already with vegetables but want to add a fruit tree or two, try planting apple and pear trees in pots. The ‘Growing apples in pots and containers’ blog has a range of information on varieties which are best suited to smaller areas.
• Start to think about those hanging baskets and look to add strawberries or tomatoes as an alternative, or in addition to flowers.
• Plant fruit canes such as raspberries and gooseberries.

Garden maintenance!

• Although weeds slow down over winter they never fully stop growing. You’ll see them grow at speed as spring gets in full flow, but keep on top of them by removing on a regular basis.
• Mow lawns on dry days.
• Keep on top of repairing stakes for climbers and fruit canes as plants start to grow.

March into spring with your head held high! All that winter preparation will now start to show in the garden. The days will start to get longer, and soon the garden will be buzzing with insects and wildlife as they awaken from the throes of winter.

It’s time and we’re ready – let the growing season commence!