Start planning for March

 
With plants gradually coming to life, March is a busy month for the gardener. If the weather begins to warm up this could mark the start of greater activity in the garden. Now is the time to get back outdoors and do the jobs that couldn’t be tackled during the winter months.
   
Below is a list of some of the tasks that will need your attention this month.

Houseplants

• Re-pot houseplants and renew their soil
• Spring bulbs grown inside such as hyacinth and narcissi can now be planted outside
• Fuchsias stored inside during the winter can be cut back and re-potted. On warm days open a window to allow plants to acclimatise.

Fertilise

• Now is the time to build up the nutrients in the soil that have been lost from rain or snow. Applying a thick layer of mulch should be sufficient and has the added advantage of suppressing any weeds
• Flowering annuals and vegetables may require some one-off soil boosters plus a liquid fertiliser every few weeks.

Plant

• Spring annuals can be raised from seeds sown in position, or as seedlings ready to go in the ground
• Summer flowering bulbs like dahlias, gladioli and lilies can be planted among your spring flowering beds
• Evergreen and deciduous plants can be planted as well
• Transplant or divide perennials that have become too big, ensuring the roots don’t dry out
• Carrots, cucumbers, early peas, marrows, parsnips and salad varieties can also be planted this month
• If you haven’t got any tomatoes sown, now is a good time to get started
• Tub plants can now be planted and older ones re-potted.