March marks the turning point when gardens begin to wake from winter dormancy. Days grow longer, temperatures rise, and that first flush of spring colour starts to appear. It’s an exciting time for gardeners, but also a busy one—there’s plenty to do to prepare your outdoor space for the growing season ahead.
Whether you’re tending to flower beds, nurturing vegetables, or caring for fruit trees, March offers the perfect opportunity to set your garden up for success. The work you put in now will reward you with abundant blooms, healthy crops, and a thriving outdoor space throughout the warmer months.
Flower garden jobs for March
Weed beds and borders
Weeds compete with your plants for nutrients, water, and light. March is the ideal time to tackle them before they establish deep roots. Hand-pull annual weeds or use a hoe on dry days. For persistent perennial weeds like bindweed or ground elder, dig them out carefully, removing as much root as possible.
Plant summer-flowering bulbs
Gladioli, lilies, and dahlias can all be planted now for stunning summer displays. Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Plant dahlia tubers about 10cm deep, spacing them 60cm apart. For gladioli, plant corms 10-15cm deep in groups for maximum impact.
Divide herbaceous perennials
Established clumps of perennials benefit from division every few years. This rejuvenates the plants and gives you extras to fill gaps or share with friends. Lift clumps with a fork, then split them into sections, each with healthy roots and shoots. Replant immediately and water well.
Sow hardy annuals
Direct sowing hardy annuals like nigella, cornflowers, and calendula will give you beautiful blooms by early summer. Prepare the soil by raking it to a fine tilth, then scatter seeds thinly in shallow drills. Cover lightly with soil and water gently. Thin seedlings as they grow to prevent overcrowding.
Prune roses
Late March is your last chance to prune bush and climbing roses before they put on new growth. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing stems first. For bush roses, cut back remaining stems to outward-facing buds, creating an open, cup-shaped structure. Climbing roses need their main stems tied in, with side shoots reduced to two or three buds.
Vegetable garden tasks
Prepare beds for planting
Well-prepared soil makes all the difference to your vegetable harvest. Clear away any remaining winter debris and dig over beds if you haven’t already. Work in well-rotted compost or manure to improve soil structure and fertility. Rake the surface level and remove stones.
Sow vegetables under cover
Get a head start on the growing season by sowing tender vegetables in a greenhouse or on a sunny windowsill. Tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, and cucumbers all benefit from an early start. Sow seeds in trays or small pots filled with seed compost. Keep them warm and well-lit, and pot on as they grow.
Direct sow hardy vegetables
Many vegetables can be sown directly outdoors now. Broad beans, peas, carrots, parsnips, spinach, and salad leaves all tolerate cooler conditions. Sow in drills according to packet instructions, then cover and water. Protect emerging seedlings from birds with netting or cloches.
Plant onion sets and shallots
March is prime time for planting onion sets and shallots. Choose a sunny spot with firm, well-drained soil. Push sets gently into the ground so just the tips show, spacing them 10cm apart in rows 30cm apart. Birds sometimes pull them up, so keep an eye out and replant any that get disturbed.
Chit seed potatoes
If you haven’t already started chitting your seed potatoes, do so now. Place them in egg boxes or seed trays with the end that has the most eyes facing upwards. Keep them in a cool, light place until sturdy green shoots develop. You’ll be ready to plant them outdoors from late March onwards, depending on your climate.
Fruit garden care
Prune gooseberries and currants
Gooseberries and red and white currants need annual pruning to maintain their shape and encourage fruiting. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches first. Then shorten last year’s growth to one or two buds on established plants. This keeps the centre open for good air circulation.
Plant bare-root fruit trees and bushes
If you ordered bare-root fruit trees, bushes, or canes, March is your last opportunity to get them in the ground before they break dormancy. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root system and deep enough so the soil mark on the stem sits level with the ground. Water thoroughly after planting.
Feed established fruit
Give fruit trees, bushes, and canes a boost with a general-purpose fertiliser. Sprinkle it around the base of plants, keeping it clear of stems. Water it in if rain isn’t forecast. A mulch of well-rotted compost or manure will also benefit them, suppressing weeds and retaining moisture.
Protect blossom from frost
Early-flowering fruit trees like apricots, peaches, and plums may already be in bloom. Late frosts can damage flowers and reduce your crop. On cold nights, drape horticultural fleece over smaller trees or wall-trained specimens. Remove it during the day so pollinators can access the flowers.
General garden maintenance
Mow the lawn
As grass begins to grow more vigorously, give your lawn its first cut of the year. Raise the mower blades to their highest setting for this initial trim—scalping the grass can weaken it. Rake up any debris beforehand and avoid mowing when the grass is very wet.
Edge borders and paths
Crisp, defined edges make borders and paths look tidy and well-maintained. Use a half-moon edging tool or a sharp spade to redefine lawn edges. Clear away any encroaching grass or weeds from paths and patios.
Feed your lawn
March is an excellent time to apply a spring lawn feed. Choose one with a higher nitrogen content to encourage lush, green growth. Spread it evenly using a spreader or by hand, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Water it in if there’s no rain within a couple of days.
Clean and sharpen tools
Well-maintained tools make gardening easier and more enjoyable. Scrub soil from spades, forks, and hoes using a stiff brush. Sharpen blades with a file or sharpening stone. Oil moving parts on secateurs and shears, and replace any worn or damaged equipment.
Service your lawnmower
Before the mowing season gets into full swing, check your lawnmower is in good working order. Clean the blades, check the oil level, and sharpen or replace blades if necessary. If you’re not confident doing this yourself, take it to a professional for servicing.
Supporting wildlife in March
Leave areas wild
Resist the urge to tidy every corner of your garden. Long grass, piles of leaves, and undisturbed patches provide vital habitat for insects, amphibians, and small mammals. Designate a wild area where nature can flourish undisturbed.
Put up bird boxes
Many birds are searching for nesting sites in March. Install bird boxes in quiet spots, positioned 2-5 metres high and facing north or east to avoid direct sun and prevailing winds. Different species prefer different designs, so consider which birds visit your garden most frequently.
Create a pond
Even a small pond will attract a surprising variety of wildlife. Choose a sunny spot and dig a hole with gently sloping sides. Line it with pond liner and fill with rainwater if possible. Add native aquatic plants and wait for frogs, newts, and dragonflies to arrive.
Plant for pollinators
Early-flowering plants provide much-needed nectar for emerging bees and other pollinators. Crocuses, primroses, and hellebores are all excellent choices. Aim for a succession of blooms throughout the year to support pollinators across all seasons.
Provide nesting materials
Leave natural materials like moss, small twigs, and dry grass in accessible spots. Birds will use them to build their nests. Avoid putting out anything synthetic or treated with chemicals, as these can harm wildlife.
Jobs for the greenhouse and conservatory
Ventilate on warm days
Temperatures can soar quickly in greenhouses on sunny March days. Open vents and doors to prevent overheating and reduce humidity. Good air circulation helps prevent fungal diseases and keeps plants healthy.
Pot on seedlings
As seedlings grow, they’ll need transplanting into larger containers. Handle them carefully by their leaves, never their delicate stems. Use good-quality multipurpose compost and water them in well after potting on.
Start feeding tender plants
Overwintered tender plants like pelargoniums and fuchsias will soon start growing actively. Begin feeding them with a balanced liquid fertiliser every couple of weeks to encourage strong, healthy growth.
Sow half-hardy annuals
Petunias, nicotiana, and cosmos can all be sown now under cover for planting out after the last frost. Fill seed trays with compost, scatter seeds thinly, and cover lightly. Keep them warm and moist until germination occurs.
Getting ahead for April
The work you complete in March sets the stage for a productive and beautiful garden throughout spring and summer. As you tick off these jobs, you’ll notice your garden responding with fresh growth, vibrant colour, and increased activity from wildlife.
Keep an eye on the weather forecast and be prepared to protect tender plants if late frosts are predicted. Make notes about what you’ve planted and where—it’ll help you plan for next year and avoid repeating any mistakes.
Most importantly, take time to enjoy your garden as it comes back to life. There’s something deeply satisfying about working alongside nature and watching your efforts bloom.
Further Reading: RHS Eranthis hyemalis – Winter Aconite, The Corylus – Witch Hazel, How to Protect Your Soil in Winter, A Ruby Gem for Winter: Meeting Cyclamen persicum ‘Verano Red’, Bringing Life to Winter: The Resilience of Eastern Cyclamen, Waking Up the Earth: What to Look for in the February Garden
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