March Garden Checklist: Bulbs, Lawns, and Early Crops
By Alicia Paaso - Gardenscape Sales Team/RHS Level 3 Horticulturalist
The first week of March has been uplifting, with some warm sunny days and bright blue skies. Growth accelerates at this time of year, with leaf buds quickly appearing on trees and unfurling from one day to the next. The pink blossoms of magnolia and cherry trees brighten this month, while spring bulbs continue to add colour to our gardens. These early signs of spring remind us to prepare for the busy season ahead. March is a crucial month for bulb planting, lawn care, vegetable sowing, and more. Read on for tips and guidance on your essential gardening tasks this month!
March marks the start of planting summer-flowering bulbs
and corms. Tender bulbs such as cannas can be planted in pots indoors, while early-flowering gladioli and lilies can be planted into pots or directly into the ground. Bulb planting requires careful attention to drainage to prevent the bulbs from rotting. A good approach is to add around 20 % grit to your growing media. A Peat-free Multipurpose compost mixed with added grit makes an excellent growing medium for bulbs. If your garden soil tends to become waterlogged, planting bulbs in pots can be a good alternative, as it allows you to control the growing conditions more effectively. You can also plant onion sets throughout March and April. Like summer bulbs, they require well-drained soil. Plant them directly into the ground with the bulb tips pointing upwards, leaving the tips just visible above the surface.
Vegetable growing really begins this month. Broad beans, carrots, beets, and spinach can all be sown straight into the soil once it begins to warm up. A Topsoil/Peat Free Compost mix is the perfect all-rounder mix for vegetable growing. Additionally, crops such as chives and kale can be sown in modular trays and placed on a sunny windowsill or greenhouse.
March is also the perfect time to begin lawn care. A healthy lawn is far more resilient to
summer droughts, and good preparation starts now. Mow your lawn on a dry day when the ground feels firm, and begin with a higher cutting height to encourage thicker grass and avoid damaging it. Applying Weed, Feed & Moss Killer in March is ideal. It provides a high nitrogen boost for lush growth, controls broad-leaved weeds, and helps kill moss thanks to the added iron. Simply rake away the dead moss about a week after application. If you would prefer to give your lawn a nutrient boost without weed and moss control, our Spring and Summer Lawn Feed is a great alternative.
As daffodil blooms and other spring bulbs begin to fade throughout March, it is important to deadhead the flowers before they develop seeds. However, ensure you leave the foliage to die back naturally. By doing so, this helps the bulbs store energy for the following year, resulting in stronger plants.
As temperatures rise, weeds will also begin to emerge. To prevent them from becoming a nuisance, remove them by hand as soon as they appear. Staying on top of this early can help reduce the need for weedkillers later in the year. Another useful tip is to add a thick layer of bark mulch to your beds and borders. This helps suppress weeds by blocking sunlight, retains soil moisture, and gives your garden a neat, decorative finish.
Enjoy your spring gardening!