With spring just around the corner, I thought sharing some tips on what gardeners can do in March would be good. Many gardeners are eager to get outside and start working in their gardens. This blog post aims to provide helpful tips and guidance on the tasks that can be done in the garden during the month of March. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, I hope you’ll find valuable information and inspiration in this post.

Overview of the gardening tasks that can be done in March

March is an important month in the gardening calendar, as it marks the beginning of the growing season in many regions. While the weather may still be cool and unpredictable, plenty of tasks can be done in the garden to prepare for the months ahead. These tasks include cleaning up garden beds, preparing the soil for planting, pruning and cutting back plants, and starting seeds indoors.

Importance of gardening in March

Gardening in March is important for two great reasons. First, it allows you to take advantage of the cool weather and get a head start on the growing season. By planting early spring crops and starting seeds indoors, you can ensure a bountiful harvest later in the year. Second, gardening in March can help you connect with nature and improve your mood. Gardening in March is a great way to get outside and enjoy fresh air after a long winter.

But don’t worry if you are busy and struggling to make time for gardening; many tasks can be done later, and seedlings will catch up if sown a little later. The main thing is to enjoy gardening and do what you can.

What to do in the garden in March

March is a busy month in the garden, with plenty of tasks to keep gardeners busy. Here are some of the most important things to do in the garden in March:

• Cleaning up garden beds and removing debris – Cleaning up garden beds and removing any debris accumulated over the winter is a great way to ease into the growing year. This includes fallen leaves, dead plant material, and other debris that may have blown into the garden. Rake up leaves and debris and add them to the compost pile.
• Preparing soil for planting – To help plants to grow strong later in the year, it is good to start preparing the soil now. Start by loosening the soil with a garden fork or tiller. Add compost or other organic matter to improve soil structure and fertility if the soil is compacted. If you are using the “No Dig” method for your vegetable growing, then you will not need to do this task
• Pruning and cutting back plants – March is a good time to prune and cut back plants that have become overgrown or damaged over the winter. This includes removing dead wood, cutting back last year’s growth on shrubs and trees, and pruning back perennials that have died back.
• Planting early spring crops – March is perfect for planting early spring crops such as lettuce, spinach, and peas. These cool-season crops thrive in the cooler temperatures of early spring and can be planted directly in the garden.
• Starting seeds indoors – If you plan to grow plants from seed, now is the time to start them indoors. Use a seed starting mix and follow the instructions on the seed packets for optimal germination. Some good plants to start from seed in March include tomatoes, peppers, and herbs.
• Fertilising trees and shrubs – Finally, March is a good time to fertilize trees and shrubs. Use a slow-release fertilizer and apply according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This will help promote healthy growth and ensure a bountiful harvest later in the year.

What to cut back in your garden in March

Cutting back plants is an important task to do in March to encourage healthy growth and prevent diseases. Here are some plants that you should consider cutting back in March:

• Perennials that have died back – Many perennials die back in the winter and should be cut back in March. Cut back the dead foliage to about an inch or two above the soil level. This will help the plant focus its energy on new growth and prevent diseases from taking hold.
• Grasses and ornamental plants – Grasses and other ornamental plants should also be cut back in March. Use pruning shears or scissors to cut back the old growth to about two inches above the soil level. This will encourage new growth and help keep the plants looking neat and tidy.
• Last year’s growth on shrubs and trees – March is a good time to prune shrubs and trees to remove last year’s growth. This will help the plants produce new growth and flowers. Use sharp pruning shears or loppers to cut back the branches to just above a healthy bud.
• Dead wood and broken branches – Finally, March is a good time to inspect trees and shrubs for dead wood and broken branches. Cut back any dead wood or broken branches to healthy wood using pruning shears or a pruning saw. This will help prevent the spread of diseases and pests and promote healthy growth.

Gardening projects to do in March

In addition to the gardening tasks listed above, March is also a great time to tackle some gardening projects. Here are some ideas for gardening projects to do in March:

• Build raised beds – Building raised beds is a great way to create a more organized and efficient garden. Use rot-resistant wood or composite materials to create the beds, and fill them with good quality peat-free soil mix. This will provide a perfect environment for growing vegetables, herbs, and flowers.
• Install garden structures like trellises and arbours – Adding trellises and arbours to your garden can provide support for climbing plants like tomatoes, cucumbers, and beans. March is a good time to install these structures so that they are ready for planting in the coming months.
• Clean and repair gardening tools – Gardening tools should be cleaned and sharpened regularly to ensure they are in good working order. March is a good time to clean and repair your gardening tools so they are ready for spring planting.
• Build compost bins – Composting is a great way to create rich, organic soil for your garden. March is a good time to build a compost bin so that it is ready to start accepting kitchen scraps, leaves, and other organic materials.
• Create a garden plan for the year – Creating a garden plan can help you stay organized and on track throughout the gardening season. Use this time in March to create a plan for the year, including what you will plant, where you will plant it, and when you will plant it. This will help ensure that you have a successful and productive gardening season.

Best plants to plant in March

March is a great time to start planting in your garden. Here are some of the best plants to consider planting in March:

• Cool-season vegetables like lettuce, spinach, and peas are perfect for planting in March. Vegetables like lettuce, spinach, and peas prefer cooler temperatures and can tolerate light frosts. Planting them in March will give them time to mature before the weather gets too hot.
• Spring-flowering bulbs like tulips and daffodils – Spring-flowering bulbs like tulips and daffodils should be planted in the fall, but if you didn’t get around to it, March is the last chance to plant them before the weather gets too warm. Plant them in well-draining soil and in a location that receives full sun to partial shade. If it is too late to plant bulbs, many garden centres will be selling flowering bulbs that can be planted now and will grow back next year. This is an expensive way to grow these plants, but it will give you some instant colour in the garden.
• Trees and shrubs – March is a good time to plant trees and shrubs because the soil is warming up, and they have plenty of time to establish their roots before the hot summer months. Be sure to choose trees and shrubs appropriate for your climate and soil type.
• Perennials that prefer cool weather – Many perennials prefer cooler weather and can be planted in March. Some examples include bleeding hearts, hellebores, and columbines. These plants will thrive in the cooler temperatures of spring and will add colour to your garden.

In conclusion

March is an exciting time for gardeners as the weather starts to warm up, and there are many gardening tasks and projects to tackle. Here is a recap:

• In the garden: Clean up garden beds, prepare the soil for planting, prune and cut back plants, plant early spring crops, start seeds indoors, and fertilize trees and shrubs.
• What to cut back: Perennials that have died back, grasses and ornamental plants, last year’s growth on shrubs and trees, and dead wood and broken branches.
• Gardening projects: Build raised beds, install garden structures like trellises and arbours, clean and repair gardening tools, build compost bins, and create a garden plan for the year.
• Best plants to plant in March: Cool-season vegetables like lettuce, spinach, and peas, spring-flowering bulbs like tulips and daffodils, trees and shrubs, and perennials that prefer cool weather.

I encourage you to get out and start gardening this March. It’s a great time to get your garden in shape for the growing season ahead.

If you are out gardening in March, what tasks are you working on and what tips do you have?