It's time to get organised this March
March is one of those strange months where it isn’t quite winter and it isn’t quite spring yet, it is however a good month to get organised and prepared for the growing season.
Tidy up any borders, you might see some signs of life popping through but now is the time to clear away any dead leaves that have fallen.
Turn the soil and add a layer of mulch and remove any unwanted weeds.
You are now prepared for new plants when the soil and weather is warmer.
Remember those seeds that were on sale but you didn’t get round to plant just yet?
It’s time to rummage through and throw out anything that is out of date!
You can also use this time to take inventory and make a list of any seeds you may need for this year and what you need to plant and at what time.
If you are super organised you can even sort them by month into separate containers
It won’t be long until your plants will start needing support, although they probably won’t need it now.
Supports are easier to put in place when your plants are smaller.
The usual suspects that require supporting are peonies, hydrangeas and of course climbing plants such as clematis and honeysuckle.
Pruning this month will encourage growth in the next season.
Buddleja can be pruned hard, reducing last year’s growth to a few buds, however, there are some exceptions to this rule Buddleja alternifolia and Buddleja globosa bloom on the stems of last years growth so cutting back now would remove any flowers of this season.
Hydrangeas can be deadheaded and reduced to roughly one third of last year’s growth.
You can also tidy up rose bushes this month. Remove any dead, damaged or crossing stems, and cut branches back to just above a bud.