Gardening jobs for March
March marks the beginning of spring, bringing longer days and milder weather. The garden starts to wake up, and it’s a busy month for preparation, planting, and tidying.
General Maintenance
– Clean up winter debris: Remove leaves, dead foliage, and weeds from beds, borders, and paths.
– Prepare soil: Dig over beds, add organic matter, and rake to create a fine tilth for sowing.
– Inspect tools and equipment: Make sure everything is ready for peak gardening season.
Ornamental Gardening
– Plant summer-flowering bulbs: Gladioli, lilies, and alliums can be planted now for a vibrant summer display.
– Prune shrubs: Trim back roses, buddleia, and hydrangeas before growth gets underway.
– **Divide and transplant perennials**: Lift and divide overcrowded clumps to rejuvenate plants and fill gaps.
– Support climbing plants: Fix trellises and add supports for clematis and other climbers starting to grow.
– **Sow hardy annuals**: Sow seeds like calendula, cornflowers, and poppies directly into prepared soil.
Fruit and Vegetable Gardening
– Sow early vegetables: Carrots, parsnips, beetroot, and salad leaves can be sown outdoors if the soil is warm.
– Plant potatoes: Start with first early potatoes, planting them 10-15 cm deep in prepared trenches.
– Start warm-season crops indoors: Sow tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers in propagators or warm windowsills.
– **Feed fruit trees and bushes**: Apply a general-purpose fertilizer to boost growth as buds break.
– Plant asparagus crowns: Choose a sunny, well-drained site for long-term crops.
Lawn Care
– Mow the lawn: Give your lawn its first light cut if the grass is dry. Set the mower blades high to avoid damaging new growth.
– Repair bare patches: Rake over damaged areas, sow grass seed, and keep it moist for germination.
– **Edge the lawn**: Neaten edges to define borders and pathways.
Wildlife and Sustainability
– Provide food and shelter: Continue feeding birds and check for nesting activity.
– **Add a wildlife pond**: March is a great time to dig a pond or refresh an existing one.
– Plant for pollinators: Grow early nectar sources like flowering currants, primroses, and lungwort.
March is a turning point in the gardening calendar, with opportunities to prepare and plant for the months ahead. It’s a rewarding time to get outdoors and enjoy the first signs of new life!
Plant Summer Flowering Bulbs
Last Chance to Prune Roses Before St. Patrick’s Day
Last Chance to Trim Deciduous Hedges Before New Growth Begins
Protecting Fruit Bushes with Netting
How to Repair Lawn Edges and Bare Patches
Starting Tomatoes, Peppers, and Cucumbers Indoors
Sowing Early Crops : A Head Start on the Growing Season
Looking Out for Hedgehogs in Winter: How to Help Them
Chitting Potatoes – How-To, and Why It’s Important
