March is a busy month for gardeners. From pruning and planting to pest control and lawn care, there’s plenty to do to prepare your garden for the months ahead. Here’s a handy guide to help you stay on top of your gardening tasks this month.
Flower & Shrub Care
- Pick off seed heads from daffodils and other spring bulbs, but leave the foliage to die back naturally to nourish next year’s blooms.
- Ensure rose pruning is finished to promote healthy growth and abundant flowers.
- Cut dogwood right down to the base to encourage fresh, vibrant stems for next winter.
- Prune Buddleja to a low stem framework to encourage new flowering growth. Cut back last year’s growth to around 30-60cm (1-2ft) from the ground. Aim for a neat, vase-like shape with evenly spaced stems.
- Cut back herbaceous perennials and ornamental grasses that have been left standing over winter. Many perennials benefit from division every two to three years to maintain health and vigour.
- Continue mulching with garden compost to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Planting & Growing
- Plant lilies, gladioli, and other summer-flowering bulbs for a spectacular display later in the year.
- Start dahlia tubers indoors in pots or trays of damp peat-free compost.
- Sow tomatoes, chillies, sweet peppers, and aubergines indoors on a sunny windowsill (south facing is best). Use seed compost – it drains well and prevents rot.
- Hardy vegetables like spinach can be sown outdoors, but cover them with a cloche or fleece for protection.
- Plant onion sets and shallots for a reliable crop later in the season.
- Plant a fig tree in a large container to restrict its roots—this encourages fruiting and controls its size.
- Start strawberries in hanging baskets to keep fruits away from slugs and enjoy a compact, easy-to-manage harvest.
Greenhouse & Indoor Plant Care
- Take down bubble insulation in the greenhouse once temperatures rise to allow more light in.
- Buy good-value young bedding plants to grow on under glass, or sow your own in a heated propagator.
- Open greenhouse vents on sunny days to reduce humidity and prevent fungal diseases.
- Water houseplants more regularly as temperatures increase, but always check the soil first.
- Check houseplants for pests like aphids, scale insects, thrips, and mealybugs.
Lawn & Garden Maintenance
- Tidy up weeds that are starting to pop up in beds and borders before they take hold.
- For the first mow of the season, set your mower to the highest blade setting to avoid shocking the grass. If the grass is long, strim first and rake up clippings before mowing.
- Give your lawn a spring boost by aerating, scarifying, and tidying edges to encourage strong growth and improve its overall appearance.
- Put slug barrier products around the new shoots of hostas and other susceptible perennials to protect them from damage.
- Keep feeding garden birds, as the breeding season is getting underway.
Visit our garden centre for expert advice, high-quality plants, and all your gardening essentials. Happy gardening!