Gardening Calendar - March

LEAP IN TO MARCH

 

Well it's not quite Spring but we are only a few days away. If you've been cooped up indoors through the winter then now is the time to get out in to the garden. The jobs you do now will set you up for the rest of the year. But don't rush things we can still get some hard frosts in March, but we can tell things are warming up as the weeds are starting to grow!!! Happy gardening.

 

 

 

TREES & SHRUBS

 

• Whilst the soil is moist it's a good time to apply a general fertiliser such as Fish Blood and Bone or Growmore and apply a 2” (5cm) mulch of compost or bark.

• It's the last chance to move trees or shrubs and to plant bare root plants.

• It is a busy month for pruning, you must get roses pruned before they start to shoot, also the best time to cut back Dogwoods and willows which will have given so much Winter pleasure with their coloured stems.

• It's now time to prune back early flowering Clematis after they've finished flowering but before they begin to shoot.

• Trim back winter flowering heathers after flowering and apply a top dressing of peat or ericaceous compost.

 

VEGETABLE GARDEN

 

• The soil will become workable in March so dig in rotted manure or compost (but not where your root crops are going to be grown) and begin to prepare seed beds incorporating a general fertiliser e.g. Growmore. It's a good idea to cover with black plastic to keep dry and help the soil to warm up.

• Start to chit Potato tubers and early varieties can be planted towards the end of the month.

• Plant Asparagus roots.

• Sow Carrots under cloches and it's a good idea to apply a fleece covering to ward off carrot root fly.

• You can also sow Lettuce and Radish under cloches

• There are lots you can sow indoors if you have a heated glasshouse or conservatory, such as Tomatoes, Peppers, Aubergines, Cauliflowers and Cabbage.

 

FRUIT GARDEN

 

• Last chance to plant bare root bushes of Apples, Pears Cherries Currants etc.

• If you have any established bushes of Apricots Peaches or Nectarines cover them with fleece to protect the flowers from frost.

• Mulch rhubarb crowns

• Put cloches over strawberry plants to encourage an early crop, but don't forget to ventilate to allow pollination.

 

LAWN WORK

 

• Whatever you do now will ensure a healthier happier lawn throughout the Summer.

• Recut and trim all edges

• Always set the mower high for the first few cuts.

• Treat moss with a proprietary chemical or Lawn sand and then spring rake it out after the moss has turned black and begun to die off.

• Top dressing and feeding are essential for a strong long lasting healthy lawn.

 

GENERAL GARDENING

 

• Plant summer bulbs such as Lilies and Gladioli.

• Plant herbaceous plants which will grow away strongly and give wonderful Summer displays.

• Sow hardy annual seeds direct into borders.

• Good moth for cleaning the patio to get rid of slippery green slime.

• We are already experiencing very dry conditions in the Midlands, South and East so think about installing a water but to collect any rainwater which is just the best for watering plants

• Start weeding and keep on top of weeds, Life will be much easier if you do.

 

Forshaw Heath Rd, Earlswood, Solihull, West Midlands, B94 5JU
sales@earlswoodplants.co.uk