March can be a really chaotic time for gardeners due to the unpredictable weather (Image: Getty)
March is when plants show more signs of life, but it also means gardeners can quickly feel overwhelmed, since there is so much to do in the garden. Spring officially begins on March 20, but even as temperatures rise, Monty Don has said that now is when the British weather really gets chaotic.
On his website, Monty said: “March changes from day to day, even hour to hour. We often have snow, frost, wind, rain and warm sunshine and always have daffodils, blossom, fritillaries, the hedges breaking into leaf and the grass growing. “Gardeners can really struggle to get out into the garden and do anything, but Monty Don has shared a few simple tasks that will make preparing for spring much easier if done soon.
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Many hardy vegetables can be grown in March as the soil gets warmer (Image: Getty)Monty Don’s gardening jobs for March
Start planting vegetables
March is when the soil starts to warm up, which means gardeners can start preparing to plant hardy vegetables that are fine to grow in wet and windy conditions.
However, you need to be careful: the soil needs to be completely thawed, and if it still feels icy or waterlogged, you are better off sowing seeds indoors in a pot first.
You will also need some sort of protection, like a fleece for crops at the moment, in order to protect them from the weather, and it will also help speed up their growth, so you can start eating fresh vegetables straight from your garden
Monty said: “Sow seeds under cover such as cabbage, lettuce, celery, beetroot and tomatoes. Do not sow any seeds outside if the ground feels cold to the touch.
If warm and dry enough, sow broad beans, beetroot, rocket, spinach, mizuna, parsnips, radish and winter lettuce.”
Be careful when tidying up as many animals will be hiding in gardens (Image: Getty)
Be careful when tidying up your garden
Gardens tend to be a total mess in March, so now is the best time to start tidying up in order to make room for young plants to grow in spring.
Make sure to rake up fallen leaves as they can spread fungal diseases, pick up any fallen branches and remove any old mulch from flower beds if it is looking compacted.
It is also a good time to inspect your lawn and remove any moss or dead foliage clogging up the grass, so it has the best conditions to start growing again.
However, make sure to check your garden before clearing it up, as edgehogs are waking from hibernation, birds are starting to nest, and butterflies are looking for sheltered places to form their cocoons.
Monty said: “Try not to disturb natural hibernation spots, especially if you are vigorously tidying up after a long winter. These creatures all make a slow start and will be lethargic and weak – be mindful of them.”
Feeding birds now gives baby chicks the best chance of survival (Image: Getty)
Birds will now start laying eggs and raising their young, so any kind-hearted gardeners should keep filling up birdfeeders to give baby chicks the best chance of survival.
Monty said: “This [is] a time that puts great demands on their energy when there is not much natural food around, so keep feeding the birds all month, concentrating on high-energy items such as fat, peanuts and sunflower seeds.”
It is best to feed birds fatty items to give them energy, but if you are looking to save money, it is possible to give them leftovers like potatoes, rice or even eggshells.
If you have a bird bath, make sure it stays functional, or leave out water for birds, as many of their natural water sources will still be partially frozen.
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