Your garden in March is shaking off its winter sleep. It’s a time of transition, when the garden begins to shake off the chill of winter and embrace the promise of spring. With longer days and warmer temperatures, March presents a wealth of opportunities for gardeners to prepare for the warm season ahead.
The primary task in March is to prepare the soil for planting. As the ground begins to thaw, it’s an ideal time to dig over beds, removing any weeds and debris that may have accumulated over the winter months. Incorporating organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure enriches the soil, providing essential nutrients for healthy plant growth throughout the coming season.
March is also prime time for sowing seeds. Hardy vegetables like carrots, radishes, and lettuce can be sown directly into the ground, taking advantage of the damp soil and cooler temperatures. For those keen to get a head start on the growing season, starting seeds indoors under controlled conditions can yield strong, healthy seedlings ready for transplanting outdoors later in the spring.
Pruning shapes the garden and promotes vigorous growth. March is the ideal time to prune dormant trees and shrubs before new growth emerges. Removing dead or diseased wood, as well as thinning out overcrowded branches, encourages airflow and prevents the spread of disease whilst improving the appearance of the plants.
As the days lengthen and temperatures rise, it’s essential to keep an eye on moisture levels in the garden. While spring rains may provide some relief, young plants and emerging perennials may still require supplemental watering, particularly during dry spells. Mulching newly planted areas helps to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature, creating the best conditions for plant establishment.
March is also a time for enlivening the garden’s borders and beds with a splash of colour. Early-flowering bulbs like daffodils, crocuses, and tulips bring a welcome burst of colour, signalling the onset of spring. Planting annuals and biennials such as pansies, primroses, and sweet peas inject vibrant splashes of colour into the garden, creating visual interest and attracting pollinators.
Enjoy your garden in March. Beyond practical tasks, March invites gardeners to reconnect with the natural world and savour the simple joys of outdoor living. It’s a time to relish the crisp air, the earthy scent of freshly turned soil, and the birdsong that fills the air. Whether pottering in the greenhouse, tending to seedlings, or simply taking a stroll through the garden, March offers so many opportunities to cultivate a deeper connection with the land and celebrate the timeless rhythms of nature’s renewal.
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash