March signals the start of a new growing season, and the sun is becoming strong enough to warm up the soil.
The weather remained mild in February even though cold conditions were forecast for mid-month.
Gardening tasks are dictated by the seasons and generally follow a pattern from one year to the next; but the weather always influences the timing of certain tasks and the gardener’s knowledge and intuition also plays its part in many aspects of planting, sowing seeds and pruning.
Plants may be quicker to start in to growth due to milder conditions this year. Some of the plant pests such as snails have managed to survive the cold spells and are likely to cause problems as soon as there is any fine weather.
Take steps to protect new growth with organic barriers (beer traps, coffee grounds, egg shells, repellents) remove the over wintering snails quickly (they tend to hide under the rims of pots, or in any areas left uncleared).
Seasonal shrubs such as the Viburnum, Honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima), and bulbs including Crocus and miniature Cyclamen are all in bloom and have met the Daffodils.
Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) has just finished flowering after an early start in mid-February.
The ornamental Cherry plum (Prunus cerasifera) is in bloom – producing white blossoms, which fall like confetti on breezy March days. Magnolias started flowering weeks early and Forsythia will not be too far behind – joining the Camellias – which are full of buds and about to open.
For some seasonal colour in window boxes try Primroses (Primula vulgaris) alongside the Hellebores and flowering Narcissus (Narcissus bulbs are planted in the autumn but can be bought in flower in spring).
Finish pruning roses by mid-March; tidy winter flowering Jasmine by lightly cutting back any straggly growth.
Top dress container plants with good quality compost such as ‘Jacks Magic All Purpose Compost’.
Peat based composts are being phased out by the end of 2024 on conservation grounds. If you need ericaceous compost for acid loving plants – the azaleas, rhododendrons, Camellias or blueberries in containers and pots there is an alternative called ‘SylvaGrow Ericaceous compost’.
Take advantage of dry days to plant Alliums, Canna lily (Summer flowering bulbs) and Agapanthus. If the soil is wet or water logged allow a day or so to dry out before planting.
It is time to get onion sets and first early potatoes planted; both can also be grown in containers (tall and deep but they do not have to be large) or potato bags on the balcony or patio. Jamieson Brothers supply potato bags and also good quality seed potatoes plus onions sets.