March Jobs in the Garden

March in the Garden: The Garden Awakes

March is the month where the gardening world collectively holds its breath - and then lets it out in a flurry of activity. One day it’s glorious sunshine and the smell of warming earth; the next, you’re looking at a surprise frost through the window.

But for those of us with green fingers (and perhaps a few mud-stained knees), March is the starting gun. It’s time to shake off the winter slumber and get the groundwork laid for a spectacular summer.

Here is your essential checklist for the month ahead.

1. Wake Up the Soil

Before you reach for the seed packets, focus on the foundation. Your plants are only as happy as the dirt they’re sitting in.

• Mulch, Mulch, Mulch: Apply a thick layer of well-rotted manure or garden compost to your borders. It smothers emerging weeds and feeds the soil. Just keep it a few inches away from the direct stems of woody plants to prevent rot.
• Weed Early: It is much easier to pull out a tiny bittercress now than a monster weed in May. Get them before they go to seed.
• Avoid the ‘Sponge’ Effect: if the ground is still waterlogged or frozen, stay off the soil. Walking on wet soil compacts it, squeezing out the air pockets your plants' roots need to breathe.

2. The Big Prune

March is the last chance to prune many dormant plants before they put all their energy into new spring growth.

• Roses: Prune your bush roses now. Cut back to an outward-facing bud to encourage an open, airy shape. Don’t be afraid - roses are tougher than they look.
• Clematis: Group 3 clematis (the late-flowering ones like C. viticella) should be hacked back hard to about 30cm above the ground. It feels brutal, but it works wonders.
• Cornus (Dogwood): If you grow these for their bright winter stems, pollard or coppice them now to encourage fresh, vibrant growth for next winter.

3. Sowing and Growing

The ‘seed itch’ is real this month. Just remember: patience is a virtue (especially if your greenhouse isn't heated).

• Indoors/Under Glass: Start your tomatoes, chillies and peppers on a sunny windowsill or in a propagator.
• Direct Sowing: If the soil has started to warm up, you can sow hardy greens like spinach, rocket, and broad beans directly outside.
• Chitting Potatoes: If you haven’t started yet, get your seed potatoes into egg cartons in a cool, bright spot. You're looking for strong, short green sprouts (chits) before they go into the ground later this month.

4. Lawn Love

Your grass is likely starting to wake up, but don't go for the ‘bowling green’ look just yet.

• The First Cut: Choose a dry day and set your mower blades to their highest setting. You just want to take the ‘ragged’ tops off, not scalp the poor thing.
• Edge it: Nothing makes a garden look instantly tidier than crisp, re-cut lawn edges. Use a half-moon edger for that professional ‘just-manicured’ look.

5. Wildlife Watch

Our garden visitors are waking up hungry.

• Keep the feeders full: Birds are starting to scout for nesting sites and need the energy.
• Clean the birdbath: Fresh water is just as important as food during the busy nesting season.

Top Tip: Keep some horticultural fleece handy. March is famous for ‘Sneaky Frosts’ that love to nip the buds off your early-flowering camellias or fruit trees.