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With the days getting longer and brighter, many of us will be enjoying spending more time outside. March marks the first month of spring, and if you’re lucky enough to have a garden, it’s a great time to start making the most of your green space and preparing it for new growth.
From planting summer bulbs to tackling pesky weeds, here are 12 garden checklist ideas for March.
1. Plant summer-flowering bulbs
With spring on the horizon, March is the ideal time to start planting some summer bulbs. Doing so now will allow plenty of time for them to become established and bloom come the summer.
However, with March being a month of seasonal transition, it can be hard to predict the weather from one day to the next. Overall, temperatures will begin to rise, but not before we have a few more frosty nights. To account for this unpredictability, it can be a good idea to begin by planting some hardy yet beautiful summer-flowering bulbs, such as lilies and alliums.
B&Q has a helpful guide to summer-flowering bulbs with tips on where and how to plant them. You can buy summer bulbs at your nearest garden centre or online at Crocus.
Tip: To protect lily bulbs from future summer heat, plant them at three times their own length below ground.
2. Get weeds under control
March is a good time to get on top of weeds while they’re in their pre-growth season, before they start sprouting and become trickier to manage.
Weeds are easy to remove from flower beds and borders with a hoe if they’re newly established, or with a garden shovel if they’re more deeply rooted. You can learn about five different ways to get rid of weeds on the Gardeners’ World website.
There are also certain weeds (like dandelions, buttercups, and white clover) that can survive for years in soil, and only start to sprout when the conditions are right. These can be trickier to get rid of by natural means, as digging up our lawn isn’t something that many of us want to do – and pulling weeds up by hand may not always be enough to permanently get rid of them.
However, there are things you can do to keep lawn weeds under control, such as avoiding close mowing (this can weaken grass and make it more susceptible to weeds) and raking over the grass before mowing (to discourage creeping weeds like white clover and silverweed).
You could also add mulch to your flower beds and lawn to help keep weeds at bay. This blocks their light, making it more difficult for them to survive. You can find out how to make mulch at home on Grow Veg’s website.
Or, to learn more about the different non-chemical and chemical methods you can use to control and eradicate lawn weeds, have a read of this guide from the RHS, or our article: 9 weed solutions that don’t harm bees.
3. Cut back and divide perennials – and plant new ones
If you chose not to cut back your perennials (plants that return year after year) last spring to maintain structure in your garden or continue providing a habitat for wildlife, by now, they’ll likely need a trim. This will get rid of anything dead or damaged and make way for new growth.
However, take care to make sure that you don’t cut off any new shoot growth. To find out how to trim perennials safely, have a read of this guide from the RHS.
It’s also worth dividing any winter or summer-flowering perennials that are clumped together. This can help give them a new lease of life and reach their full potential when they return later in the year.
This is best done either in early spring (just before plants enter a new growth phase) or in late summer/early autumn (when they’ve just finished a growth phase). You can find more information in this RHS guide.
If you fancy planting some March-flowering perennials, this article from Gardeners’ World has some useful tips. Suggestions include native primroses, Pulsatilla, Pulmonaria, Bergenia, and Hellebores.
4. Add colour to your garden by planting March-flowering bulbs
If you don’t fancy waiting until summer to start seeing more colour in your garden, you could consider planting some March-flowering bulbs. After a long, harsh winter, pretty spring flowers might be what’s needed to brighten your days.
March-flowering bulbs such as pink giants, hyacinths, and daffodils can be planted in border displays or in pots with adequate drainage. This makes them suitable for growing in gardens, on windowsills, or on balconies.
If you’re interested in buying some March-flowering bulbs, you might like to browse the large selection on Crocus’ website – or head to your nearest garden centre.
5. Protect new shoots from slugs
Around this time of year, slugs and snails begin emerging from hibernation and looking for something to eat. Unfortunately, new shoots will often be first on the menu.
While larger, more established plants can sometimes take a few hits from slugs and snails and recover, young shoots and bulbs usually won’t be so lucky.
When trying to stop slugs and snails from munching on your plants, it’s worth keeping in mind that – although annoying – these creatures are a useful part of our ecosystem. For example, they can quickly turn green matter into compost, and they’re also an excellent food source for other animals (like hedgehogs, frogs, and birds).
There are plenty of ways to deter slugs without harming them or using chemicals. This includes adding plants to your garden that produce a slug-repellent scent and applying petroleum jelly to plant pots to create a slippery surface that’s difficult for slugs to grip onto.
For more home remedies, check out our article: 9 common garden pests and how to tackle them.
6. Plant potatoes, onions, and shallots
If you’re new to growing vegetables, potatoes, onions, and shallots can make good, lower-maintenance options to start with this month.
Potatoes
Potatoes can be used in a diverse range of ways and are packed with antioxidants, which may help reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.
Early potatoes (such as Red Duke of York and Rocket varieties) and second early potatoes (such as Charlotte and Ratte types) are planted in March and harvested in June. Whereas maincrop potatoes (such as Maris Piper and King Edward varieties) are planted in mid to late-April and harvested between July and September. Have a read of this information on potato types from Gardeners’ World to learn more.
If you’d like to get started with planting first or second early potatoes – which can be grown in the ground or containers – this detailed guide from Gardeners’ World may be useful. It covers everything from how far apart to plant potatoes to how to remedy common potato-growing problems, such as slugs and blight.
Early and second early potato bulbs are available to buy on the Marshalls Garden website.
Onions
Not only are onions great for adding flavour to dishes, but they’re also rich in nutrients, including vitamin C, B vitamins, and potassium.
These nutrients help protect the body against free radicals (harmful molecules that can cause disease) and are important for things like nerve and cell function, metabolism, fluid balance, kidney function, and muscle contraction.
Onion sets (small immature bulbs) are usually available to buy from garden centres in early spring and late summer – or you can find them on the Crocus website. They do best when planted in a well-lit, sunny location in well-drained soil that’s been enriched with compost.
Before you start growing, head over to Grow Veg’s website, where you can read their guide on growing onions.
Shallots
If you’d prefer to grow shallots, the smaller, milder-tasting cousin of the onion, you’ll be pleased to know that these are also highly nutritious. They’re full of antioxidants, can relieve allergy symptoms, and have antiviral and antifungal properties.
Shallots are low-maintenance and will thrive in a sunny spot with well-drained soil, much the same as onions. They can be grown from seeds or sets, though sets mature more quickly and will survive better in colder conditions.
To find out more about growing and caring for shallots, have a look at this article from Love the Garden. And if you’re ready to start planting, you can buy shallot sets on the Crocus website.
7. Sow spinach, chard, and beetroot seeds outdoors
From March to May, you can sow leafy vegetables like spinach, chard, and beetroot seeds. These veggies belong to the goosefoot family – a group of weedy plants with a high salt tolerance that are naturally found in temperate regions, and have leaves that resemble a goose’s foot.
Spinach, chard, and beetroot are all good sources of iron, which is important for growth and development. Chard and spinach also contain high amounts of vitamin K, which is important for blood clot formation, wound healing, and bone health.
These leafy vegetables are easy to grow, and their glossy leaves and brightly coloured stems can make a striking addition to your garden. Ideally, they’d be grown in a vegetable patch, but if you have a smaller garden, they can also be planted in large containers instead.
For tips and advice on preparing your soil, sowing your seeds, and looking after your plants, it’s worth having a read of this guide to growing spinach from Garden Focused, this advice on growing chard from the RHS, and these tips on growing beetroot from Gardeners’ World.
8. Mow the lawn when new growth appears
Your lawn should begin to see some new growth in March, and there are a few things you can do to help it along.
Alongside tackling weeds, you might want to give your lawn the first cut of the year if you’ve noticed new growth in March (though, only when it’s dry). However, with frost still acting as a potential threat to grass, it’s important not to overdo it – or to wait until temperatures become a bit milder, which will depend on where you live.
Before cutting your lawn, clear away any debris that’s collected there during the winter, such as sticks and twigs, as these can damage your lawn mower. It’s also a good idea to check for any wildlife that might be living in your grass. Then, be sure to only give your lawn a trim, as cutting it too short can leave it vulnerable to frost damage and more susceptible to weeds.
Check out this advice from Woodland Trust on when to make the first cut of the year – or watch the video on spring lawn care below.
9. Sow tender vegetables indoors
Some vegetables, including tomatoes and chillies, need to be sown early to maximise their growth potential throughout the year. However, these veggies are also tender, which means they’re vulnerable to low temperatures.
If you’re keen to get growing, it’s best to sow these indoors. Then, as temperatures rise and tender plants start to become more established, you can move them outside.
Tomatoes and chillies are considered ‘superfoods’ because they’re high in vitamins (such as A and C), minerals, and fibre. They do well in pots on a brightly lit window ledge. Have a read of this guide on tomato growing from Gardeners’ World, or this article on growing chillies from the RHS to find out more.
Our article, 8 superfoods that you can grow from home, has more ideas.
10. Add fresh compost to container plants and flower beds
Compost loses structure and nutrients over time, so it gradually becomes less effective. In March, plants will be preparing to enter a new phase of growth. This means that they’ll need sufficient nutrients to support growth, stay strong and healthy, and be less vulnerable to disease, pests, or adverse weather conditions.
To give your plants the best shot possible for the year ahead, you can help by adding a fresh layer of compost to container pots or flower beds. It’s best to remove a layer of old compost first. You can learn how to do so in this Gardeners’ World guide.
If you don’t have a compost bin, you can buy compost at your nearest garden centre – or order it from Amazon. However, it’s worth considering starting your own compost heap as this is an easy, free, and eco-friendly method of enriching your plants and disposing of organic waste.
Have a read of these 10 tips from Country Living on how to make a compost heap at home.
11. Avoid cutting hedges until the bird nesting season is over
Although you might be keen to get to work on your garden, the RSPB recommends avoiding cutting any hedges back until after the main breeding season for nesting birds is finished. This period runs from March to September, and during this time, hedges might contain active bird nests. Trimming hedges risks damaging the nests, eggs, chicks, and/or birds they may house.
Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 makes it illegal to intentionally damage or destroy the nest of any living bird while it’s being built. To find out more about this, and what to do if you think an active nest is at risk, have a read of this advice from the RSPCA.
If you’re interested in birds, you might enjoy reading our introductory guide to birdwatching.
12. Prune roses
Most roses respond well to pruning in February and March because it prepares them for the season of growth ahead. Often, the more you prune them, the more they’ll grow when the conditions are right.
The reason that roses respond so well to pruning is that when their branches are cut, this stimulates the production of ‘auxin’ – a growth hormone. When a rose branch or stem is cut, auxin is sent directly to the site to encourage new shoots to grow.
Pruning allows you to boost your rose’s flowering capabilities and overall health, while still having control over its shape and size.
If you’d like to learn more about how and when to prune roses, take a look at this handy guide from Love The Garden.
Final thoughts...
March marks the first month of spring. This means there’s plenty to be getting on with in the garden – from tidying, maintenance, and protecting wildlife to adding pops of colour and planning for the year ahead.
We hope that you’ve found this checklist useful. For more ideas and inspiration, why not visit our gardening section? Here, you’ll find articles like 7 ideas for a springtime garden clean-up and 10 low-maintenance indoor plants that can add life to your home.
Do you have any extra springtime gardening tips you’d like to share? Are you planning on planting any seeds this March? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
* Links with an * by them are affiliate links which help Rest Less stay free to use as they can result in a payment or benefit to us. You can read more on how we make money here.
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