Nurturing your garden in March - Our garden tips this month.
A Giant Plume of warm air, blown 5,000 miles from Jamaica has just provided us with one of the hottest february weekends on record! We’re not complaining- Where’s that sunblock?
As we ambled around the village on our usual Sunday afternoon walk, sun starved skin was given its first airing, the dog appeared to have an extra skip in his step and the clang of petrol lawnmowers filled the air. It’s amazing what a bit of unexpected sunshine can do!
The team at Loam have been busy working on an exciting project in central Winchester.
We’ve been creating a garden filled with interest and enabling the owner to enjoy relaxing by the River Itchen as it gently flows past the end of the garden. There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing a design successfully coming to life!
The weatherman suggests a mixed bag for this month, but don’t worry. Whether you’re mowing the lawn in the sunshine, or keeping undercover whilst scrubbing out your watering cans, our top tips for March include a variety of jobs to keep you on track whatever the weather.
General garden maintenance.
Mow the Lawn
To avoid damage, try not to mow grass that is damp or frosty - wait until later in the day when it is as dry as possible. For the first mow of the year set the cutting height to its highest setting and gradually reduce over the next couple of mows.
LIFT AND DIVIDE OVERGROWN CLUMPS OF PERENNIALS
Generally, perennials benefit from division every two to three years, to maintain strength and wellbeing. Plants should be gently lifted with a garden fork, working outwards from the centre of the crown to limit damage to the roots. Some plant clumps such as Hostas can be carefully pulled apart, others like daylily may need prising apart with a fork and fibrous clumps like Helebores may need cutting with a knife or sharp spade.
HOE AND MULCH WEEDS TO KEEP THEM UNDER CONTROL
On a dry day, run a hoe over your flower beds to kill off those pesky weed seedlings. Use a deep organic mulch to smother weeds around plants, keeping it topped up to a minimum depth of 10-15cm.
Planting.
PLANT, SHALLOTS AND ONIONS.
Growing onions from sets (small onion bulbs in their second year of growth, sold for planting) is simpler than starting from scratch and it’s likely that the crop will mature earlier. Plant onion sets 5-10cm apart leaving 25-30cm between rows and 2cm deep. Plant shallots 15-20cm apart leaving 30-45 cm between rows. Only the tips of bulbs should show above ground.
PLANT POTATOES.
Early seed potatoes, such as ‘Accent’ and Red Duke of York’ can be planted towards the end of the month. Dig a 12cm trench with some farmyard manure forked in. Plant tubers 30cm apart with 45cm between rows and cover in soil.
SOW SWEET PEAS.
Sweet peas can be sown outside now, ready for picking later in the summer.
Odd garden jobs that are well worth doing now.
INSTALL WATER BUTTS.
We’re expecting some heavy rain over the next few weeks, so why not collect it now for use later?
PREPARE GREENHOUSES AND COLD FRAMES.
On a sunny day open up the windows and doors and allow the warm air in. Sweep out debris and scrub out pots.
BRING BAGS OF COMPOST INTO THE GREENHOUSE.
Warm up your compost for a week or two before you start sowing.
Above all, now’s the time to stop daydreaming about the perfect garden – and make it happen!
If the recent warm weather has got your creative juices flowing but you’re looking for some expert advice, then why not get in touch with us? We can help you out with ongoing maintenance or specific tasks, create the perfect planting plan for year round colour or glorious scent, or we can design a new look for your garden which will suit your lifestyle down to the ground.
Whether you want to gain some inspiration or are just looking for a relaxing day out, there’s lots to do in Hampshire this month. If you’re keen to ‘grow your own’ but don’t know how to make it happen, how about learning to ‘start your very own vegetable garden’ at the Minstead study centre on the 16th or if you want to add colour to your garden visit the Spring plant fair at RHS Wisley on the 22nd. And we’ll be back with some more gardening tips next month.