March in the Garden: Get Your Hands Dirty This Month

March is just around the corner, and with it, a sense of anticipation hangs in the air. The days are getting longer, the sun feels a little warmer, and you can practically smell the spring. For gardeners, this means one thing: it's time to get busy!

March is a crucial month, a bridge between the dormancy of winter and the explosion of growth to come. The promise of spring is here so, ditch the winter blues, let's dive into what needs doing in the garden this March

What you can Sow Indoors:

While the ground might still be too cold for some direct sowing, March is the perfect time to get a head start on your summer blooms and edibles. Consider starting these indoors:

• Vegetables: Tomatoes, peppers, aubergines (eggplants), and chillies all benefit from an early start indoors. Sow them in seed trays or small pots on a sunny windowsill or under grow lights.

• Flowers: Think about adding a splash of colour to your summer garden by sowing seeds for petunias, geraniums, cosmos, and marigolds indoors.

• Herbs: Basil, parsley, and other herbs can be started indoors now for a continuous supply throughout the summer.

We can supply these seeds and pots to help you get started! When they are ready, we can help by planting them outdoors in the perfect spot for them to grow!

What we will do outdoors:

Even though the weather can be unpredictable, there's plenty to do outside in the garden in March, We will:

• Prepare the soil: As soon as the ground is workable (not too wet or frozen), we will start preparing your beds for spring. Removing any weeds, debris, and old plant material we will dig in compost or well-rotted manure to improve soil fertility and drainage and improve the nutrient density for your garden to thrive this spring. We will turn the soil over. Turning the soil loosens it up, creating air pockets and improving aeration. This allows plant roots to access oxygen more easily, which is crucial for healthy growth.

• Plant bulbs and tubers: Spring-flowering bulbs like daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths should be in full bloom now, but you can still plant summer-flowering bulbs like gladioli and lilies.

• Prune established plants: Prune roses, fruit trees, and other shrubs that flower on new growth. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches.

• Divide perennials: Overcrowded clumps of perennials can be divided now to create more plants and improve air circulation.

• Weed, weed, weed: Keep on top of weeds as they start to emerge. Early weeding will save you a lot of time and effort later in the season.

  
  

Embrace the Change:

March is a month of transition, a time of renewal and growth. Embrace the change, get your hands dirty, and enjoy the magic of watching your garden come to life. Happy gardening!