The gradual warming of the weather and the switching off of home heating schedules signal that spring is firmly on the horizon. But have you started preparing your garden yet? If not, it is time to don your gardening gloves if you aim for a lush outdoor space by summer, when you will likely spend plenty of time enjoying your green oasis.
The Crucial March Task for Summer Blooms
Ish, a gardener who shares tips on TikTok under the handle @gardening.with.ish, points out that early spring is when growth starts to appear. Whether you have daffodils sprouting or other flowers beginning to bloom, the first signs of life are definitely emerging. However, this also means that weeds will start to thrive, because where beautiful flowers grow, there is inevitably some less desirable growth to deal with, too.
In the caption of his video, he advises: "Now is the perfect time to tackle those garden weeds. They are at a vulnerable point of their growth, so get them gone. They are also jam-packed full of nutrients, so do not let them go to waste; take that foliage and turn it into liquid feed. It is amazing what a simple gardening tip can show you to help your garden flourish!"
He emphasises there is no need for "any specific weed killer or chemicals," just a small spade to begin uprooting them. Ish advises: "Just take a few fingers and pinch around it, and simply pull out around the roots, and as you can see here, you have got a tiny little plant. And because I have got no broken roots as well, it means I have not left any traces of that weed in my pot in the soil."
Eliminating your weeds also ensures they will not be "stealing any of the nutrients from the soil." For those wanting to go the extra mile, he recommends stripping "all of the foliage" from the weed, filling a pot with water, immersing all the weeds and allowing them to decompose over several weeks.
"What will happen is it will release all of the nitrogen from the soil and put it into the water, which you can turn into a liquid feed," he enthuses, adding that "young weeds are more practical" than one might think.
Other Essential Jobs to Complete in March
Beyond weed removal, there are several other tasks to tackle in March to ensure a productive and beautiful garden in the months ahead.
1. Preparing the Soil
This involves clearing away any remaining dead plant material from winter, removing weeds, and digging over beds to loosen the soil. Adding compost or well-rotted manure at this stage will enrich the soil and improve its structure, giving your plants the best possible start.
2. Sowing Seeds for Hardy Annuals and Vegetables
Outdoors, you can sow crops such as broad beans, peas, carrots, parsnips, and spinach directly into the ground, provided the soil is not too wet or cold. Indoors or in a greenhouse, you can start off more tender crops like tomatoes, chillies, and aubergines in seed trays or pots. Pricking out seedlings as they develop and potting them on will help them grow strong before they are planted outside later in the spring.
3. Pruning
Many deciduous shrubs, such as roses and buddleia, benefit from a hard prune in March to encourage vigorous new growth and better flowering later in the year. Early-flowering shrubs, however, should be pruned after they have finished blooming. You can also cut back ornamental grasses and tidy up herbaceous perennials by removing old stems and leaves.
4. Lawn Care
Rake up any debris, moss, or thatch, and give the lawn its first light cut if conditions are dry enough. You can also edge the lawn to create neat borders and apply a spring lawn feed to promote healthy growth.
5. Check for Signs of Disease or Pests
If you have fruit trees or bushes, check them out properly and apply any necessary treatments. Mulching around the base of fruit trees and bushes with compost or well-rotted manure will help retain moisture and suppress weeds. It is also a good time to plant new fruit trees and bushes while they are still dormant.
6. Replanting Overcrowded Clumps of Perennials
This not only rejuvenates the plants but also gives you more to fill gaps elsewhere in the garden. Keep an eye on emerging shoots and protect them from late frosts with cloches or fleece if necessary.
By completing these tasks in March, you will set the stage for a vibrant and flourishing garden that will look amazing throughout the summer months.
