Gardening Jobs for March

March is a transition month, where winter’s chill lingers, but longer days and milder temperatures signal the start of the growing season.

Now’s the time to tackle gardening jobs for March. Preparing the soil and clearing debris now will set the stage for healthy growth in the months ahead. Whether you’re reviving flowerbeds or getting your veg patch in order, a little effort now means a thriving garden later.

Tips for March Gardening

1. Begin a plant diary as you plant. This will help you keep track of harvests and growth throughout the coming seasons.
2. Inspect and service your power tools and lawn mower before you start using them regularly.
3. Organise your tools, ensuring you have everything you need for the warmer months.
4. Check your garden structures such as fences, trellises and sheds for damage. Repair what you can.

Garden Maintenance

1. Rake your lawn and clear away any debris from the winter months like leaves, branches and any dead plants.
2. Aerate your lawn to improve airflow and prevent the soil impaction.
3. Sweep away the debris on your patios and decking with a leaf blower.
4. Pressure wash your patios, decking and paving stones to clean away stubborn dirt.
5. Prune any overgrown and damaged branches on your hedges, trees and shrubs.
6. Inspect and fix your compost bin or buy a new one for the coming season.
7. Set up solar lights in your garden.
8. Mow your lawn where needed and add lawn edging.
9. Sow grass seeds on your lawn where grass is sparse.
10. Wash your watering can, pots, trays and gardening equipment with soap and water to stop diseases.

Garden Beds

1. Dig up any annual plants that didn’t survive the winter.
2. Check for weeds and dig up any that you find - the younger the weed, the easier it is to remove.
3. Trim your perennials, remove dead foliage and check them for pests.
4. Test the soil pH levels using vinegar and baking soda or a pH testing kit - this will help you choose the correct and plan your planting.
5. Add organic matter, compost or fertiliser to your soil to improve its structure and nutrient levels.
6. Tidy up the edges of your garden beds and redefine any borders.
7. Add mulch to the beds to prevent weeds from sprouting and retain moisture.
8. Warm your soil and prepare it for sowing by covering it up with black plastic or cloches.
9. Check for any pests such as slugs and prepare your pest control methods.

Vegetables

1. Sow hardy plants outdoors such as carrots, beetroots, parsnips and spinach. Cover the ground with cloches to maintain warmth and thin seedlings as they begin to grow.
2. Water your hardy plants regularly to maintain root moisture and tenderness.
3. Plant onions in sets and into well-drained soil. Keep an eye for signs of mildew and rotting.
4. Create shallow drills to sow your radishes into, keeping the soil moist.
5. Place stakes into your garden beds to provide support to broad beans and peas as they grow.
6. Protect peas and beans with netting to prevent any early damage.
7. Begin to sow tender plants indoors or in a greenhouse such as chillies, peppers, aubergines, cucumber and squash to keep them warm and moist.
8. Start tomato seeds in modules or trays indoors, keeping them in a warm spot around 18 - 21°C. Once the first true leaves appear, transplant them into larger pots and give them plenty of light to prevent legginess.
9. Use one small pot for each courgette you plant - be careful not to overwater but keep warm.
10. Continue chitting potatoes in a cool, bright location. When shoots are sturdy, prepare trenches or grow bags with compost or well-rotted manure and plant early varieties by late March.

Fruits

1. Plant the bare bush fruit trees you want to grow this year such as raspberries, blackberries and other cane fruits.
2. Pot strawberry plants in hanging baskets away from slugs and other pests. Keep warm in a greenhouse or indoors.
3. Prune any gooseberry and currant bushes.
4. Check the ties on fruit trees. Make sure they are tight, but loose enough for new growth.

Flowers

1. Plant flowers seeds that are tolerant of cooler temperatures, like calendula and nigella, outdoors.
2. Sweet peas can still be sown in pots if autumn sowing was missed.
3. Plant bulbs into containers or borders where they’ll receive full sun and good drainage
4. Sow marigolds, cosmos, petunia and zinnias indoors in a bright and warm spot. Transplant when the seedlings are big enough to handle gently.

Trees & Shrubs

1. Plant new trees and shrubs while they are still dormant.
2. Finish planting bare-root and rootball specimens - this is the last month for successful establishment before growth begins.
3. Transplant young or recently planted shrubs while the soil is still workable and the plants are leafless.
4. Water newly planted trees and shrubs during dry spells to help roots establish.

Herbs

1. Soak parsley seeds overnight to help germination and once planted keep them moist.
2. Place chives in sunny but sheltered spots and sow them in trays.
3. Sow dill outdoors in mild weather in well-drained soil.
4. Keep basil, lemongrass, thyme, oregano and lemon balm indoors in separate pots.
5. Plant rosemary outside as natural pest repellent - sow between plants in your beds and avoid overwatering.
6. Prune your safe to shape the stems and remove any damaged leaves.

Greenhouse

1. Remove insulation blocking light as the days become brighter and warmer.
2. Check for any damage and complete any repairs on panes and vents.
3. Organise your greenhouse by adding shelves.
4. Space out plants and pots to improve airflow.
5. Wash and disinfect the shelves and pots to prevent fungal diseases.
6. Begin to ventilate your greenhouse on sunny days to prevent humidity from building up.
7. Sow your seeds in trays ready to transfer to your outdoor garden beds later in the season.
8. Check pots in your greenhouse for dryness and waterlogging.
9. Watch for any pests and treat them quickly. Set up traps for traps like aphids.

Wildlife & Birds

1. Clean bird feeders and baths to prevent disease - don’t forget to top them up too!
2. Birds will be looking for nesting spots so put up nest boxes.
3. Keep some corners of your garden wild, with leaves, twigs and logs. These corners will provide shelter to wildlife like hedgehogs and insects.
4. Be careful when tidying up your garden as hedgehogs, frogs and more may still be hiding.
5. Put up bee and bug hotels and hedgehog houses to provide shelters for crucial wildlife.

Ponds

1. Dig out a new pond if needed and add a liner to prevent water leaking.
2. Clear any debris from your pond surface such as fallen leaves and twigs to prevent oxygen depletion as the temperature rises.
3. Inspect and turn on any filters and pumps you turned off during winter.
4. Top up your pond's water level with tap water or rainwater. If you use tap water, make sure it’s dechlorinated.
5. Check and fix any leaks or damage to the pond's edging.
6. March is peak spawning time for frogs and toads. Check for any frogspawn and don’t disturb them.
7. Add sloped edges to your pond to help frogs and toads move about your garden and pond.
8. If you have fish in your pond, begin to feed them if temperatures stay above 10°C.