March Top Tips

March Top Gardening Tips by Frosts resident Garden Expert Maurice Rust.

Shrub Border

Early March is a good time of the year to have a handy pair of secateurs in your pocket.
You will always find the odd shrub that you have not pruned, such as Buddleia, Caryopteris, Hydrangea and some of the Winter flowering shrubs that have finished flowering can be pruned now.
Late March is a good time to carry out pruning on Evergreen shrubs that may have suffered frost damage such as Hebes with the young growing tips scorched by frost.
Never prune members of the Daphne family as they dislike pruning. Some climbing shrubs such as Jasminum and Chaenomeles can be pruned immediately after flowering.
All rose pruning should be completed by mid March.

Lawns

Work on the lawn really begins this month. As soon as the grass has started to grow and the weather and ground conditions are favourable, rake the lawn to remove leaves and surface rubbish.
Do not rake too vigorously at this stage or you will damage the grass.
The first cut should merely remove the top of the grass-close cutting at this stage will result in the grass yellowing. Choose a day when the surface of the lawn is dry.
It is the time to apply the first moss kill of the season. Use "Evergreen Mosskill" read the instructions on the packaging carefully before treating your lawn. Choose a period in the month when the weather is mild, when the grass is dry and frost free.
Avoid mowing the lawn three days before and at least four days after treatment. You may have to retreat the lawn in four to six weeks time to eradicate all the moss.
It is important not to get any "Moss Killing Chemical" on to any shrubs or tender plants planted in borders around the lawn.
Do not compost grass clippings from the first cut of the lawn following any form of chemical weed or moss control treatment.
It is also a good time this month to do any patching repairs either with new turf cut into any bare patches or to re-seed such areas.

Herbaceous Border

Unlike so many bulbous rooted plants, Snowdrops can be lifted and divided as soon as the flowers fade.
It is advisable to lift and replant in this way every few years.
If the bulbs are too closely packed together, many may fail to flower in future years.
A large variety of young herbaceous plants are now available in our garden centre.
Always plan your borders before you begin planting and plant in groups for maximum colour effect. Single plants give a less effective display.
Many established herbaceous plants will be growing lots of young growth now, you may need to thin out some of the growth. Cuttings can be take of some plants such as Delphiniums, Phlox, Lupins and Penstemons. These cuttings will need the protection of a glasshouse or frame.
As the weather improves with warmer days some of the hardier annual seeds can be sown now direct into the garden.

Fruit Garden

Plums and Damsons will now be coming into flower this month. When these and the blackthorn in the hedgerows show their first white flowers, country folk take it as a sign of a cold spell which is called a "Blackthorn Winter".
Peach, Nectarines and Apricot trees growing on walls will also come into flower now.
This time of year there are few insects flying about so hand pollination with a small artists paint brush will aid pollination and lead to a bigger fruit yield, simply brush the pollen from one flower to another.
Raspberries will benefit from a mulch of well-rotted manure not only to feed the plants but also protect the roots and keep them moist.
As Apples, Pears and Plums come into leaf watch for the first signs of insect damage, spray as soon as pests appear.
It is very important not to spray any insecticide or fungicide whilst fruit trees are in flower, wait until flowering has finished.

Vegetable Garden

The work really begins now with early sowings of onions, parsnips and broad beans direct into the garden.
Broad beans and peas that have been shown in pots in the greenhouse or frame should be hardened off now before planting out.
Towards the end of the month carrots, turnips, raddish and lettuce can be sown.
Also remember to check any Rhubarb that you are forcing, those young tender shoots will soon grow with some warm Spring days.

Green House

Begonia and Dahlia tubers can be started this month by placing the tubers in trays of peat of potting compost.
As soon as the growth is large enough cuttings of dahlias can be taken.
Towards the end of the month many of annual bedding plants can be grown from seed sown now in a heated glass house or frame.
In our garden centres we have a wide range of ready grown seedlings available, just waiting for you to take home and plant out in seed trays or pots.
Begonia, Impatiens, Lobelia, Marigolds, Petunias and many more to choose from.
We have a wide range of young rooted cuttings from Fuchsias to basket plants now available just waiting for you to get an early start with planting up hanging baskets and containers.
Remember all these seedlings and plants must be kept in frost free conditions particularly at night time.
A little ventilation will help keep botrytis and other fungus diseases at bay.

Houseplants

A wider range of houseplants are now available to buy, these will include well established Geraniums which will give colour to the window ledge before planting in the garden at the end of May.
Our staff are always available to help with the care of houseplants, pests and diseases which may occur as the days get warmer.

The Garden Pond

Switch on your pumps and filters now, it is good practice to give your pump a good clean first.
Continue to treat the pond with barley straw for blanket weed.
Check your fish for any problems after the Winter our staff will always give advice on what to look for.
As the weather warms up begin to feed your fish.
March is the last month in which you can clean out your pond.
Divide and repot large established pond plants before they come into growth.
Uncover and check over water features.
Check pipe work for leaks or perished pipe work.
Check electrical fittings for water leaks.
Always remember to get advice from a certified electrician.
Think about new garden ponds and water fall features we have a large range now in stock.
A large range of new young outdoor fish are now available in our garden centres.

Trees and Shrubs

March brings out all the late Winter and early Spring flowers.
Camellia, Rhododendrons, Chaenomeles, Corylopsis, Daphne, Winter Heathers-Erica Carnea.
Forsythia, Magnolia, Mahonia and Viburnums together with many more shrubs which will now come into life.
Trees such as Alnus, Salix Caprea and Corylus will now produce Catkins.
The early flowering Cherries will now come into flower such as Prunus Okame with masses of Carmine-Rose flowers throughout March.

March Tips

As the days lengthen it is now a glorious time to be out in the garden or working on the allotment.
Our garden centres are well worth a visit, with early flowering bedding plants to add colour to your garden.
Our Restaurants are full of tempting delights to put you in the mood for gardening.