March
Here in West Sussex we've finally had the first taster of spring. It's such a joy to not have to wear a jacket gardening or walking the dog and feel the gentle warmth of the sun for the first time in months.
March can be a busy time in the garden preparing for the season ahead, but it is also a month of hope. The daffodils, iris and crocus are out in all their glory and signal that warmer days are coming. Each evening is slightly lighter than the last and allows for some pottering in the garden before the children's bedtime interrupts.
We're not out of the woods yet though, there is still a very real risk of frost so keep tender plants under cover and keep an eye on the forecast! So enjoy the milder days out in the garden and here are some ideas of what you could be doing this month:
What to do in the garden this month:
Sow/Plant:
Sow hardy annuals under cover
Sow courgettes, leeks, peas, beetroot under cover
Sow broad beans direct
Order dahlias and pot up and keep under cover
Pinch out autumn sown sweet pea tips
Sow tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and aubergines in a propagator
Start chitting early potatoes and plant out at the end of the month
Mulch asparagus and artichokes
Divide perennials
Plant trees and fruit bushes
Plant summer flowering bulbs
Plant asparagus crowns
Prepare beds and borders
Lift and divide snowdrops
Harvest/pick:
Iris, hyacinths, early tulips, daffodils
Leeks, kale, cabbage, chard, spinach
Secature/lopper jobs:
Deadhead daffodils
Prune cornus (dogwoods at the end of the month) and pot up the cuttings
Prune winter flowering jasmine after flowering
Prune fuchsia, buddlias and decidous grasses
Cut back old perennial growth
Prune shrub roses
Deadhead hydrangeas
Lawns and ponds:
Mow when the grass starts growing but
not too short!