Well, the time has come again to start facing up to Spring and get back out in the garden so let’s hope for some early good weather to get the enthusiasm going. The dedicated gardeners are already out there and busy at work on the allotments, but personally I just aim to get the leeks sown at the beginning of the year and get the broad beans in. The runner bean trench finally got dug last December and is filling up nicely, mainly with the leaves that finally got raked up. However, the borders didn’t get tidied and are choked with weeds which are crowding out the spring bulbs… so that is Job No.1 for March.
March is a good month for any necessary lawn repairs and if the weather is warm and dry do the first cut with the blades set high. Scarify any dead thatch from the base of the lawn with a spring thyne rake and aerate the lawn with a garden fork.
Improve the soil in your borders and beds by working in some general purpose compost and apply a fertiliser. Rearrange any plants in the borders to improve the overall balance especially if vigorous plants are starting to overshadow those around them. Prune and tidy as necessary to get things looking good and fertilise the roses. Wait until fuchsia show evidence of fresh growth before pruning. Deadhead daffodils as they finish and prune hydrangea stems by about one third. Tidy up shrubs that flowered in the second half of last year by cutting out dead wood, crossing branches and growth that points downwards. This will maintain the appearance of the plant and give it an upwards sweep. Take basal cuttings when the new growth appears to increase stocks. Order up any plug plants which will be delivered soon.
 |
Well pruned with an upwards sweep. |
Weed and dig over the vegetable patch and apply a general fertiliser. Put all prunings and weeds in the runner bean trench along with kitchen compost and wood ash from the log fire. Aim to get the early potatoes planted by the end of the month. Mulch fruit trees and rhubarb.
March is a time of preparation and that little lot will get you off to a good start ready for the busy time to come in April. Check the shed and make sure you are OK for propagation trays, fertilisers, weed killers, pesticides and stock up as required. It’s a time for optimism, hoping for good weather and a good year ahead. Now that I have got myself excited I will celebrate the start of a new season.
We are always looking for new members and try to encourage a fun attitude towards friendly competition. So if you want to grow your own fruit, vegetables and flowers or even enter any of the 3 shows we hold each year, then please get in touch, we would be happy to hear from you.
If you are interested in becoming a new member, (all ages are welcome), please contact Rosey on: 01634 377812 (evenings) or Email: rosemary@ringwoodaccounting.co.uk
Sean Barry - Upchurch Horticultural Society
Space
Space
