March in the Garden: A Guide to Sowing, Planting and Prep

As the days lengthen and temperatures begin to rise, March marks a pivotal moment in the gardening calendar. It’s a time for both indoor seed starting and outdoor planting, preparing beds for the season ahead, and nurturing the first signs of spring growth. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of essential gardening tasks for March, ensuring a vibrant and productive garden throughout the year.

What to Plant in March

March offers a wide range of opportunities for sowing both annual and perennial flowers. Starting seeds indoors allows for a head start on the growing season, particularly for varieties that benefit from a longer development period.

• Indoors: Begin sowing reliable favorites like cosmos, rudbeckia, and snapdragons seeds, giving them a gentle start before transplanting outdoors later in spring.
• Outdoors: Hardy annuals such as calendula and cornflowers can be directly sown into the garden as the soil warms.

Vegetable gardeners can too get a head start in March. Early potatoes can be planted from mid-March, and a variety of hardy vegetables can be sown directly into the ground.

Vegetable Gardening in March

Proper ground preparation is crucial for successful vegetable growth. Clear weeds and incorporate compost to enrich the soil. Adding well-rotted manure or chicken pellets provides essential nitrogen for healthy plant development.

• Sow: Beetroot, chard, broad beans, peas, mangetout, lettuce, onions, early kales, and cabbages. Consider using fleece to protect crops from cold weather and create a warmer microclimate.
• Plant: Onion, shallot, and garlic sets, as well as maincrop potatoes. Chitting potatoes (allowing them to sprout in a cool place) gives them a head start.
• Indoors: If not already started, sow tomato, cucumber, and pepper seeds indoors.

Garden Jobs for March

Beyond planting, March is an ideal time for essential garden maintenance and preparation.

• Tidy Perennials: Cut back dead stems and foliage from perennial plants to smarten their appearance. Divide overgrown clumps every three years to maintain their health and vigor.
• Prune and Feed Roses: Prune roses, cutting downwards away from buds, to shape them and encourage new growth. Feed with a slow-release specialist fertilizer.
• Mulch Fruit Trees and Bushes: Apply well-rotted compost around fruit trees and raspberry bushes, ensuring it doesn’t touch the stems.
• Lawn Care: Repair bare patches on the lawn by raking the area, adding topsoil, and sowing new seed.
• Pest Control: Monitor for slugs and snails, which become active in spring. Consider using planks of wood to collect and remove them.

Supporting Pollinators

Planting nectar-rich flowers is a fantastic way to support pollinators like bees and butterflies. Consider options such as Verbena bonariensis, echinacea, and single-flowered marigolds.

Essential Gardening Supplies

Ensure you have the necessary tools and supplies to tackle March gardening tasks:

• Gardeners Hand Salve
• Bee and Butterfly Water Stations
• Handmade Peg Apron
• Garden Snips
• Wild Bird Feeder

Seed Collection Check

Before using seeds, assess their viability. Old seeds may have a reduced germination rate, especially if not stored properly. Seeds should be kept in cool, dry conditions.

March is a busy but rewarding month in the garden. By following these guidelines, you can set the stage for a flourishing garden throughout the spring and summer seasons.