Going by the recent spells of sunshine we’ve been seeing over the past week or so, it’s fair to say that warmer weather is just around the corner and it’s time for us to get back in the garden and revitalise the place.
March is the perfect time for ‘springing’ life back in to the garden by planting early flowering shrubs, clearing out the pond and of making up hanging baskets.
It’s also a time for maintenance so don’t forget to cut back last year’s rose stems, dead head daffodils by removing all faded flowers and clear up the borders whilst turning the soil.
This month gardening website Doctor Greenfingers suggests you get cracking on these essential jobs to make your garden the envy of the neighbourhood:
Divide Perennials and Re-Plant
Divide and re-plant your perennials like hardy geraniums, Crocosmia (montbretia) hostas, solidago (Golden rod) Astilbe & peonies. Snow drops can be divided too.
Dahlia Cuttings
Start taking cuttings of dahlia and outdoor Chrysanthemums.
Pruning
Prune back large flowered clematis, roses & early flowering shrubs.
The Pond
Check your pond for debris, such as dead fallen leaves and clear them out. Take out over crowded water lilies, split, divide and re-pot.
Slugs and Snails
Slugs and snails will be slipping out at night as the temperature rises, nibbling at them nice new plant shoots. So keep your eye out for them. Get some slug pellets down as soon as new shoots appear, especially hostas.
Keep Planting
Plant early flowering shrubs, Gladiolus bulbs, potatoes, onion sets. If your planting perennial plants don't spread then out here and there, plant them into groups for a more effective display.
Tidy your Borders and Feed
If you haven't already done so, then clear away any debris from the borders, turn the soil (avoiding new spring flowering bulbs) and add some compost or fertiliser.
Roses
Spray and feed your roses to help then get off to a good start and prevent pests.
These helpful tips have come from gardening website Doctor Greenfingers.