The Essential Garden Jobs for March... and The Perfect Excuse to Get Outdoors into the Sunshine!
If you're like me you are getting excited about the summer and al fresco entertaining. But, to be frank, some of the garden preparation that I know needs doing feels a little dreary and I've simply been putting it off!
One of those jobs used to be digging out the outdoor furniture, giving it a good clean and doing whatever was necessary to maintain it. Finding a way to avoid this tedious task is why Armadillo Sun furniture is made from a supremely hardwearing fabric that doesn't rot and doesn't require maintenance (some might call it laziness, I call it inspiration!) .
Right now I'm ready to jump ahead to BBQs and cosy garden parties, but they'll be all the more delightful for getting a few of those necessary tasks done now.
Luckily Lizzie, from The Rose Press Garden, is here to make gardening easy. We've recruited her knowledge and skills for the lowdown on essential gardening jobs to do this month.
Afterwards, that cup of tea or a cocktail outdoors will taste all the better!
March is a glorious month - spring has sprung, the birds are singing and the daffodils and tulips start to bloom in full force.
-
March is the start of the typical seed sowing season. There is so much you can sow in March as the light levels are higher and the days get longer and warmer. My favourite flower seeds to sow in March are:
- Cosmos,
- Nemesia,
- Sweet Peas,
- Snapdragons, and
- Scabious.
These flowers are all absolutely loved by bees and you can get your own seed packets online at The Rose Press Garden.
-
As daffodils go over, pink off the deadheads, but leave the foliage to die back naturally. This allows the blulb to reclaim the energy from the leaves ready for a great show next year.
-
If you haven't pruned your roses then this really is a job to do now. This is the last call for rose pruning!
-
If you are looking for something new for your outdoor space, March is a great time to plant bare root roses. Buying bare roots helps the environment as you’re not transporting a heavy pot and companies such as David Austin roses now send all their plants out in biodegradable packaging too.
-
You could also plant summer flowering bulbs, like lilies which will give off a gorgeous scent in the summer. Alternatively, try Roselilies which have double petals!
-
It's a job we all put-off but, with the recent bit of sunshine, now would be the perfect time to get out in it and tidy up garden borders. Pull up those pesky weeds and feel a little smug when it's done!
-
While you're at it, add a layer of mulch to your borders to suppress weeds and add nutrients to your soil. It really does make a difference to the display your plants and flowers provide in the summer.
-
If you have been at the garden centre eyeing up new shrubs and climbers, March is a good time to plant them so that they can get established before the heat of summer begins.
-
I love to sow native wildflower seeds at this time of year. If you have the space it can make such a difference leaving an area in your garden for nature. Imagine if everyone in the country left even just a one metre squared patch!
-
Keep deadheading spring flowers and any remaining winter bedding so they don't set seed. This doesn't need to be an arduous job - just a few minutes here and there with a cup of tea!
Most importantly, as the sun comes out and the days get longer, don't forget to sit outside, relax and enjoy your garden!
I couldn't agree more!! Lizzie owns one of our turquoise Outdoor Bean Bag Chairs . It looks absolutely stunning as a chair on the lawn or set against a leafy green border.
Follow Lizzie on Instagram for simple guides to planting and growing or subscribe to her beautiful monthly seed box for carefully chosen high quality seeds every month.