Jobs in the Garden: March 2025

March marks the beginning of spring, bringing longer days and warmer temperatures that signal the start of a busy gardening season. As nature awakens, there are plenty of essential jobs to do in the garden to prepare for a thriving year ahead. Here are the key tasks to tackle in March:

1. Lawn Care

• Start mowing the lawn on dry days, but keep the mower blades high for the first few cuts.

• Rake away dead grass and moss, and apply a spring lawn feed to encourage healthy growth.

• Re-seed bare patches and edges for a lush green lawn.

2. Pruning and Tidying Up

• Prune roses, cutting back to outward-facing buds to promote strong new growth.

• Cut back winter-flowering shrubs once they have finished blooming.

• Remove dead and damaged branches from trees and shrubs.

• Trim back perennial plants to encourage fresh shoots.

3. Preparing Beds and Borders

• Weed thoroughly to prevent competition for nutrients.

• Dig over flower beds and vegetable patches, incorporating compost or well-rotted manure.

• Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

4. Sowing and Planting

• Start sowing hardy annuals such as cornflowers, marigolds, and poppies directly outdoors.

• Plant summer-flowering bulbs like lilies, gladioli, and dahlias.

• In the vegetable garden, sow early crops such as lettuce, radish, beetroot, and carrots.

• Start tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers indoors or in a greenhouse.

5. Greenhouse and Indoor Plants

• Begin ventilating the greenhouse on warmer days to prevent overheating.

• Start transplanting young seedlings into larger pots.

• Keep an eye out for pests such as aphids and slugs, taking action early to prevent infestations.

6. Encouraging Wildlife

• Clean out bird boxes before nesting season begins.

• Provide fresh water for birds and other wildlife.

• Plant nectar-rich flowers such as primroses and crocuses to support early pollinators.

7. General Maintenance

• Repair fences, trellises, and garden structures before plants begin growing around them.

• Check and clean garden tools, sharpening blades for efficient use.

• Organise seeds and plan crop rotation for a successful vegetable garden.

By tackling these essential gardening tasks in March, you’ll set the stage for a vibrant and productive garden throughout the year. Enjoy the start of the growing season and make the most of the changing landscape as spring unfolds!