Top tips for gardening in March

Roses

Prune established bush and shrub Roses this month. Rambling Roses are pruned after they have flowered and should not be pruned now or you will lose this year’s flowers. Climbing Roses are usually best pruned in the autumn.

A good pair of secateurs is a necessity; we have a good selection to choose from and will be happy to advise you. If you have some Felco secateurs that are in need of sharpening or have lost a spring, now is the time to make use of our rejuvenating service. Bring them into our reception desk and for a fee and they can be returned to you as good as new. When pruning, it is important that cuts are cleanly made and not ragged or bruised. Dead or unhealthy growth should be removed and all shoots that are rubbing or crossing. Shrub roses need little pruning in their first years other than the above. Last year’s shoots on bush roses should be pruned back to outward facing buds, within 5-8cm of the previous year’s growth. The harder you prune the more vigorous this year’s growth will be.

Lawn care

Once the weather warms up and the lawns begin to grow, it will need its first cut of the season. Set the blades of your mower at the highest setting. Blunt blades will tear the grass and harm it, so make sure your blades are sharp. If moss is a problem, apply a moss killer before you rake it, as you will only spread the moss if you rake it first. The lawn will benefit if you rake out the thatch, this is the term used to describe all the dead bits of grass and moss that has accumulated amongst the grass. This particular job can be done with a traditional spring-tine rake or if you have a large area, a motorised scarifier is the answer, both of which are available in our tool range. Moss can be a sign of bad drainage, so if you didn’t manage to aerate it in the autumn, do it now.

Soil care

Winter rain will have washed plant nutrients from the soil. When gardening in March, replenish the soil with products such as Fish, Blood and Bone or Miracle Grow Plant Food. We need to add extra food to the soil to make sure we get the best from our plants. Roots need air to breathe and if you walk on the soil it squeezes the air from the tiny spaces within, making it stick meaning that the roots can’t function properly and your plants will not thrive. If you have to work on the garden, use a plank of wood or similar to support your weight.

Sowing seeds

Seed sowing outside can begin later this month. After all your hard work digging during the winter, the soil should now be broken down to a fine tilth to create a good seedbed. If the soil sticks to your boots, it’s a sure sign that the soil is too wet to be worked and it’s best left until the conditions are right. This applies to all seedbeds, whether its lawns, annual flowers or vegetables. We have an extensive range of seeds in our sundries shop.

Seed potatoes and vegetables

Early Potatoes can be planted as soon as the weather permits. If you haven’t purchased yours yet, you are not too late, we have a good selection. For our planting instructions please see our Seed Potatoes Leaflet.

Onion sets and shallots should also be planted this month. Plant the sets in rows 10-15cm apart on well-prepared soil.

Greenhouse crops

If you are intending to grow crops in a heated greenhouse, purchase your grow bags now. Put them in place in the greenhouse and they will warm up and give your crops a head start.

Spring flowering bulbs

The border can look very bare at this time of year. For instant colour, pop a pot of ready-planted bulbs into a spare space, we have a great selection to choose from; it really works to chase away those winter blues.

Birdcare

Bird feeders can also add interest to the garden and we have a wonderful selection on display here at the nursery. Feeding stations should be cleaned regularly and one of our helpful team members will advise which cleaning product is most appropriate for your requirements.

Contact our friendly team

Browse our range of plants, tools and accessories at our garden centre in St. Albans – perfect for gardening in March.

For more information, contact our friendly team on 01727 822255 or email us on info@aylettnurseries.co.uk.