The momentum of work increases as the season advances. Much depends on the weather, for if the ground is saturated the tilth required for sowing seeds cannot be obtained, and the soil will be too cold for germination.

March is the time to...
sow seeds and grow young plants to create a real splash this summer.

TREES AND SHRUBS
Complete planting of bare-rooted trees
Layer shoots of chimonanthus, cotinus, Magnolia grandiflora and other shrubs that do not root easily from cuttings, as spring growth starts.
Cut out flowering shoots of winter-flowering shrubs such as Jasminum nudiflorum.
Cut back last year’s stems of salix and cornus grown for winter colour almost to ground level.

CLIMBERS
Layer Vitis coignetiae, Pileostegia viburnoides and other climbers.
Complete pruning of large-flowered clematis.

ROSES
Complete planting of bare-rooted roses when ground is neither frozen nor waterlogged.
Prune repeat-flowering climbers, shrub, bush and miniature roses.

HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS
Dress all plants with base fertiliser and rake in.
Plant perennials when soil conditions are favourable.
Divide clump-forming plants left over from autumn, including less hardy types such as paeonies, as soon as new growth begins.

ALPINES
Divide summer-flowering alpines such as Campanula garganica, Ranunculus gramineus and Geranium ‘Ballerina’.
Plant nursery-raised plants for spring and summer flowering.

WATER AND BOG PLANTS
Remove dead and dying tops of marginal plants left on for winter protection.
Put in all types of water plants for bog garden.

BULBS, CORMS AND TUBERS
Lift, divide and replant snowdrops and aconites once flowers have faded.
Plant Anemone coronaria cultivars for flowering in summer.
Remove fading flowers from daffodils, narcissi and other late winter-flowering plants, but leave the foliage until it has died down.
Continue feeding bulbs with general fertiliser as soon as the leaves start to appear.

ANNUALS AND BIENNIALS
Sow half-hardy annual seeds under glass. In mild districts, sow hardy annual seeds outdoors.
Harden off earlier-sown half-hardy annual seedlings in a cold frame. Protect frame against frost with, for example, an old piece of carpet.
Plant out sweet pea seedlings sown the previous autumn.

LAWNS
Rake over and reseed worn or bare patches.
Apply a spring/summer general fertiliser.
In a mild season, mow the grass as its growth rate dictates, with blades set about 1 in high.

GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Complete all digging as soon as possible, removing and burning perennial weeds.
Clear weeds from paths and drives.
Scrub stone paths and drives with a garden brush dipped in a dilute solution of potassium permanganate to kill algae.

Next:
Mid Spring - April Gardens