March Jobs in the garden
Mar
March Gardening Jobs
There is a specific shift in the Yorkshire air this month. The mornings are still crisp, but that weak March sun finally has a bit of “muscle” behind it. Here at Woodbank, we always say March is the true starting gun for the gardening year. The soil is waking up, and if you get the groundwork right now, you’ll reap the rewards all summer long.
Pruning with Purpose If you haven’t tackled your roses yet, don’t dither any longer. Prune bush and climbing roses now before the new growth really takes off. Aim for an outward-facing bud to keep the centre of the plant airy—this prevents the damp-weather diseases we know all too well. While you have the secateurs out, give your Buddleja a hard chop. They flower on new wood, so cutting them back to a low, woody framework now will ensure a sea of butterflies in July.
The “Hungry Gap” and Mulching Your borders are about to work very hard. Before the perennials fully emerge, take the opportunity to hoe out any germinating weeds on a dry day. Once clear, treat your soil to a thick mulch of well-rotted compost. It locks in the winter moisture and gives your plants the nutrients they need for that initial spring “sprint.”
Potatoes and Summer Bulbs. It’s time to get the “Earlies” in! If you’ve been chitting your potatoes on the windowsill, they should have sturdy green shoots by now. Towards the end of the month, get them into the ground or deep containers. It’s also the perfect window for planting Lilies and Gladioli—just remember to add a handful of grit to the bottom of the hole if your soil is a bit heavy; they hate “wet feet.”
Lawn Care: Don’t Scalp It! The grass is definitely growing, but resist the urge to set the mower to its lowest setting. For the first few cuts of the year, just “tip” the grass. Removing no more than a third of the height keeps the roots strong and prevents moss from moving in while the ground is still damp.
Pop into the centre this week—our entrance way has a good selection of seed potatoes, summer-flowering bulbs, and all the tools you need to get the season started.
