March

The Garden In March

March is an exciting time for gardeners as they begin to prepare for the upcoming growing season and watch the garden come to life after winter. This month is when many gardeners begin to spend longer outdoors, start preparing the garden and gain a head start for the upcoming growing season. March is often filled with warm sunny days and there is a temptation to start jobs that should be left until later in the season. Remember that winter has only just departed and there is still a high risk of frosts and even snowy weather! Be patient, there can be a temptation to become over-excited about the season ahead and take on too many jobs this month.

Garden jobs for March:

Start seeds indoors: In colder regions, March is still too early to plant seeds outside but gardeners can start their seeds indoors to get a head start on the growing season.
Prune trees and shrubs: March is a good time to prune fruit trees and shrubs while they are still dormant. Pruning encourages healthy growth and fruit production.
Clean up the garden: Remove any debris, dead leaves, or branches that accumulated over the winter. Clearing away debris will help reduce the risk of disease and pests in the garden.
Test the soil: Test the soil to determine its pH and nutrient levels. Adjust the soil as needed to ensure the best growing conditions for plants.
Prepare garden beds: Turn over the soil and add compost or other organic matter to prepare garden beds for planting.
Plant cool-season crops: In some regions, March is a good time to start planting cool-season crops like peas, lettuce, and spinach.
Feed trees and shrubs: Apply a slow-release feed to trees and shrubs to give them a boost before the growing season begins.

The Greenhouse In March

A greenhouse is a valuable addition to any garden and there are shapes and sizes to suit a variety of spaces. March is an important time for greenhouse owners, as it marks the beginning of the growing season and therefore the start of more regular greenhouse use as plants come to life inside the greenhouse. Investing in heat mats and greenhouse heaters is worthwhile to protect young seedlings from March frosts.

Greenhouse jobs for March:

Start seedlings: March is a good time to start seedlings for plants that will be transplanted outside once the weather warms up. Many garden vegetables, such as tomatoes and peppers, can be started in March.
Clean the greenhouse: Before starting the growing season, it's important to clean the greenhouse thoroughly. This includes disinfecting surfaces, washing the floors, and cleaning any pots or trays that will be used for planting.
Check equipment: Make sure all the equipment in the greenhouse is in good working condition, such as heaters, fans, and watering systems.
Ventilation: As the weather starts to warm up, make sure to keep the greenhouse well ventilated to prevent overheating.
Watering: Start to increase watering frequency as the weather warms up and plants begin to grow more quickly.
Feeding: Begin to feed plants in the greenhouse as needed to encourage healthy growth.
Pest control: Keep an eye out for pests in the greenhouse, such as aphids and spider mites, and take appropriate measures to control them.
Harvesting: If there are any crops growing in the greenhouse, such as winter greens or herbs, continue to harvest them as needed.

Wildlife Ponds In March

March is a time when wildlife ponds start to come back to life after the winter months and become a hub of activity.

Common things to look out for in a wildlife pond in March:

Frog and toad actvity: In March, frogs and toads start to become more active as they begin to prepare for mating season.
Insect activity: As the weather warms up, insects becomemore active. This can include insects that live in or near the pond, such as dragonflies and damselflies.
Emergence of aquatic plants: March is a good time for aquatic plants to start emerging from the water. This includes plants like water lilies and water irises.
Algae growth: With the increased sunlight and warmth, algae growth in the pond may start to increase. While some algae is normal and healthy for a wildlife pond, excessive growth can be a sign of poor water quality.
Fish behaviour If there are fish in the wildlife pond, they may become more active in March as the water warms up. They may start to feed more and swim around more frequently.
Maintenance: March can be a good time to perform maintenance on the wildlife pond, such as cleaning out any debris that accumulated over the winter and checking the water quality.

Bulbs Flowering In March

There are several plant bulbs that can flower in March, depending on the climate and region. Planting bulbs in autumn is a great way to ensure that your garden has beautiful flowers in March and throughout spring

Bulbs flowering in March:

Crocus: Crocuses are one of the earliest flowering bulbs, with blooms appearing in late winter to early spring. They come in a variety of colors, including purple, white, yellow, and striped.
Daffodils: Daffodils are another popular spring-blooming bulb, with flowers that typically appear in March or April. They come in a range of colours, including yellow, white, and pink.
Snowdrops: Snowdrops are a small, delicate bulb that produces white flowers with green tips. They are one of the earliest spring-blooming bulbs and can start flowering in late winter to early spring.
Hyacinths: Hyacinths are known for their fragrant, colourful flowers that come in shades of pink, purple, blue, and white. They typically bloom in March or April.
Muscari: Muscari, also known as grape hyacinths, are a small bulb that produces clusters of tiny flowers that resemble grapes. They come in shades of blue, purple, and white, and typically bloom in March or April.