gardening jobs for March

By mid-late March, spring is well underway, the warmer weather brings new growth to the garden and changes to the flowerbeds and pots. So, what jobs are there to do in the garden now? Read more about the gardening jobs for March.

Planting & Cutting Back

Plant your herbaceous perennial plants and summer-flowering bulbs of your choice. It's also a fantastic time to cut back faded perennials, especially as you see the fresh crown of green growth emerging. If you haven't already, be sure to prune back your roses no later than mid-march if you're attempting hard cut backs (don't cut beyond any dead wood!).
If you're not sure how to prune your roses - here's a guide here

Dividing perennials

March is an excellent time to divide clumps of perennial plants that you wish to propagate that have outgrown their planting area. The ground will be warm and there will be plenty of rootgrowth that has occured over the autumn and winter months for you to easily split your perennials.

Weed control!

Remove weeds as you see them as they can become prevalent during this time of year, it's a prevantative measure as opposed to a permanent one. For best results, make sure to lift the whole root of the weed. Alternatively, before planting new borders, add a layer of weed stop first!

Water your plants

Provide water to plants that are looking a little dry, especially those that are planted in containers, it's a myth you can't water when it's frosty or cold. It's amazing how dry plants can get from just brisk winds too.

Watch the cold weather

When the weather becomes a little warmer and all signs of frost have passed, you may wish to remove fleece and straw to prevent plants from sweating and ultimately rotting. Nowadays, tender perennials/over wintered bedding fairs better toward the end of March or into April, as we are experiencing later and later frosts. If in doubt, you can always harden off tender plants during the day and bring back in during the night.

Improving your soil

Load on the organic matter and mulch to your borders if you haven't already, turn it over in your borders, or add as a layer to your potted plants, it may give a little boost to the nutrients in the soil as well as providing moisture retentative qualities and even drainage from aerating the soil. What's aerating you ask? Adding 'air' to the soil, simply by using a garden fork and adding small holes to the soil or even loosening and turning over the soil will really help. Try not to walk back over these areas, especially if there's clay or heavy rain due, it may compact it more!

Supports for climbers

It's important to remember your climbing plants this time of year, particularly if you wish to train them as they start to grow. Identify whether the plants require tying into sturdier supports, or whether they just need canes to self climb (like Sweet Peas).