This Month in Your Garden - March

March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers. English proverb.

Spring in the northern hemisphere begins on the 20th of March but for the gardener, it is already well underway. The snowdrops and crocus planted last year are soon accompanied by the bright faces of primrose and daffodils, Muscari, Hyacinth, bluebells and Lily of the Valley. Fruit trees blossom and Fritillary show their ponderous heads, while pansies and polyanthus brighten containers and hanging baskets by the door.

If you did not plant bulbs in autumn, there is plenty of choice available at the garden centre for instant colour. In mild areas, hardy annuals can be sown directly outside and in pots. If it is still on the chilly side, germinate seeds in pots or trays of compost in a bright, warm place at a temperature of 10C (50F). A good tip is to let compost come to room temperature before sowing because cold compost inhibits germination.

 March is ‘get ready’ time with so much you can do, weather permitting as always, you’re spoiled for gardening choice. Take spring cuttings of tender bedding plants such as pelargoniums, marguerites and petunias. 

Keep your autumn-sown sweet peas in a sunny position in the greenhouse. Plant layered carnations along with chrysanthemums, dahlias, pansies and violas but heed frost warnings. It is the ideal time to plant herbaceous perennials such as oriental poppies and geraniums (cranesbills). And we nearly forgot, there will be plenty of weeding to be done.        

• Divide and plant polyanthus after flowering
• Plant summer flowering bulbs
• Plant and move snowdrops, winter aconites and hardy cyclamen
• Plant Anemone coronaria in well-drained soil
• Protect new shoots from slugs
• Top dress containers with fresh compost
• Divide flesh-rooted plants such as hostas
• Sow under glass everything you like from antirrhinums to zinnias