Gardening jobs for March

Spring is finally here! The almost long forgotten sounds of lawnmowers starting up, followed by the aroma of freshly cut grass, are not far away.

This month's main gardening jobs as circulated by the RHS are:

1. Cut back winter shrubs
2. Sow some seeds and prepare seed beds
3. Lift and divide perennials

More jobs for March...

• Protect new spring shoots from slugs
• Plant shallots, onion sets and early potatoes
• Plant summer-flowering bulbs
• Lift and divide overgrown clumps of perennials
• Top dress containers with fresh compost
• Mow the lawn on dry days (if needed)
• Cut back Cornus (dogwood) and Salix (willow) grown for colourful winter stems
• Hoe and mulch weeds to keep them under control early
• Start feeding fish and using the pond fountain; remove pond heaters
• Prune bush and climbing roses

Please visit the RHS website for more detailed guidance on each of this month's jobs above, plus much more.

Also highly recommended is the excellent Gardening Know How (March) section at Sutton's Seeds website, for more great gardening tips and advice!