March in the Garden: Waking Up Your Outdoor Sanctuary
March is the official “starting gun” of the gardening year. As the days stretch out and the soil begins to warm (ideally hitting that magic mark), the garden shifts from a quiet winter sleep to a hive of activity.
Whether you’re a seasoned horticulturist or a weekend warrior, this is the month to lay the groundwork for a spectacular summer. Here is your essential checklist for March gardening.
1. The Big Spring Clean
Before you start the fun of planting, you need a clean canvas.
- Pruning: Now is the last chance to prune your bush and climbing roses. Cut back to an outward-facing bud to encourage an open, airy shape. You should also prune winter-flowering shrubs like Buddleja and Cornus (dogwood) to their base to stimulate those vibrant new stems.
- Clear the Debris: Rake out the last of the winter leaves from your borders and clear away dead stems from perennials. If you left seed heads for the birds over winter, they’ve likely done their job—now you can clear the space for new shoots.
- Edge Your Lawns: Nothing makes a garden look “finished” like a crisp edge. Use a half-moon edger to redefine the border between your lawn and your flower beds.
2. Sowing and Growing
The greenhouse is your best friend this month. Especially a Yardistry greenhouse.
- Under Glass: Sow tomatoes, chillies, peppers, and aubergines. These heat-lovers need a long growing season, so getting them started now on a sunny windowsill or in a heated propagator is vital.
- Direct Sowing: If the soil isn’t waterlogged, you can start sowing hardy vegetables like broad beans, parsnips, and early peas.
- The “Chit” List: If you haven’t started “chitting” (sprouting) your seed potatoes, get them into egg boxes in a light, cool spot immediately.
3. Refreshing Your Living Space
March isn’t just about the dirt; it’s about the structure of your garden. As you plan your seating areas and paths, consider how you’ll enjoy the fruits of your labour.
If your old patio set is looking a bit tired or you lack a focal point, it might be time for a permanent upgrade. Many gardeners use this month to install structures like a Yardistry gazebo or pergola. Because Yardistry kits use premium, pre-cut cedar, they provide a sturdy, high-end look that anchors the garden. Plus, getting a structure up in March means you’ll have a shaded retreat ready the moment the first true heatwave of May or June hits.
4. Lawn Love
Your grass is waking up from dormancy, and it’s likely hungry.
- The First Cut: On a dry day, give the lawn its first light trim. Set the mower blades to their highest setting—you just want to “tidy” the top third of the grass, not scalp it.
- Aerate: If you have compacted areas or moss, use a garden fork to spike the ground. This lets oxygen, water, and nutrients reach the roots.
March Summary Table
| Task Category | Key Action |
| Pruning | Roses, Buddleja, and late-summer flowering Clematis. |
| Sowing | Tomatoes (indoors), Broad Beans (outdoors), Sweet Peas. |
| Feeding | Apply a general-purpose fertilizer to borders and roses. |
| Maintenance | Clean the greenhouse glass and check irrigation systems. |
