March is an exciting time for gardeners as the days start to get longer, the weather starts to get warmer, and the first signs of spring appear. It’s an excellent time to start preparing your garden for the upcoming growing season. Here are some tasks you should consider doing in your garden in March:
Prepare your soil
As the weather warms up, it’s time to start preparing your soil for planting. Clear away any debris or dead plants from your beds and borders. Then, add a layer of compost or well-rotted manure to help improve the soil’s structure and fertility. This will provide the perfect conditions for your plants to thrive.
Cut back winter-flowering shrubs
If you have any winter-flowering shrubs, now is the time to cut them back. This will encourage new growth and help keep the shrubs looking neat and tidy.
Prune roses
If you have roses in your garden, it’s time to give them a prune. Cut back any dead or diseased wood and prune back any stems that are crossing over each other. This will help encourage healthy growth and promote a good display of flowers later in the season.
Prune fruit trees
Pruning of apples, pears and quince is best carried out in winter but can be continued into spring if temperatures remain low. Quince fruits are produced on the new season’s growth so winter pruning can be used to promote new shoots and a better fruit crop.
Renew your lawn.
As the month progresses, you can think about encouraging a healthy lawn for the summer. Aerate the soil with a fork, apply a top dressing and from mid-March onwards, new seed can be sown. Once the seed germinates, it will need to be kept moist.
Keep an eye on the weather
March can be a tricky month when it comes to the weather. Keep an eye on the forecast and be prepared to protect any tender plants from frost or snow. You can cover them with fleece or bring them inside if necessary.
In summary, your garden in March is an exciting time. With the right preparation and care, you can get your garden off to a great start and enjoy a beautiful display of flowers and vegetables throughout the growing season.