Gardeners have been urged to do 5 things as we enter March (Image: Getty)
As March approaches this weekend, many people across the country will be starting to think about their summer lawn and taking steps to get their garden ready. As longer days and the first signs of spring start creeping up on us, Monty Don says now is the time for gardeners to “get ahead before everything starts growing at once”.
In his March gardening guidance, he emphasises that this is a time for both finishing winter chores and starting gentle spring work while conditions are right. “March is the month where gardener and garden become easy in their reacquaintance after the wary stand-off of the winter months,” he writes. From preparing veg plots to sowing early crops, here are five key jobs Monty says should be top of your list this weekend.
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The gardening expert has a range of advice as we enter March (Image: Getty)
1. Prepare Veg Beds
Monty advises using March to dig over any remaining green manure and prepare soil for sowing and planting.
He suggests finishing raised beds and ensuring ground is workable before crops go in. Getting beds ready now creates better structure and drainage for the growing season ahead.
He says: “Sow seeds under cover such as cabbage, lettuce, celery, beetroot and tomatoes. Do not sow any seeds outside if the ground feels cold to touch. If warm and dry enough, sow broad beans, beetroot, rocket, spinach, mizuna, parsnips, radish and winter lettuce.”
2. Prune Fruit Bushes
Those with large bushes will understand the effort required to keep them in shape. Monty says that gooseberries and red and white currants should be pruned now to encourage strong fruiting.
He adds: “The first half of March is the best time to prune any shrubs and climbers that will flower on new growth and in particular late flowering clematis, roses and buddleia and caryopteris.
“I like to do this when I start to see new shoots appearing but resist the temptation to do so if there is a mild February as the subsequent regrowth can be nipped back by a late frost.”
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Work should be taken now to maximise the chances of quality vegetable this year (Image: Getty)
3. Dig Over Ground and Green Manure
He also suggests getting soil ready for future crops: dig in any overwintering green manure, and prepare unworked ground or make raised beds before the end of the month.
He said: “When you have finished clearing and cutting back give the grasses a thick mulch with a low-fertility material – i.e. not garden compost or manure.
“I use a pine bark mulch. However, do not divide or move any grasses at this time of year.
“They must be growing strongly to have the best chance of surviving so wait until late May or even early June.”
March is the best time to undertake several key tasks (Image: Getty)
4. Clean and Sharpen Tools
While not a headline task in the March guide, Monty’s regularly references the need for maintenance of equipment to be done to ensure best results.
With plenty of digging, pruning and planting in his recommendations, ensuring tools are clean and sharp helps carry out these March jobs efficiently and reduces damage to plants.
5. Plant Onion and Shallot Sets
Monty recommends planting onion and shallot sets now, but with a protective measure: “Cover them with fleece for the first couple of weeks to stop birds pulling them from the ground.”
This simple step protects young plants during changeable weather.
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