Jackie's Tips

MONTH OF MARCH

·      Deadhead daffodils now as they start to finish and let the foliage die back naturally.

·      Feed your roses with a balanced fertiliser or good rose feed as they begin to come on to growth.

·      Prune over-wintered fuchsias back down to one / two on each shoot, as this will encourage a bushy growth habit.

·      Remember to deadhead winter pansies to stop them from setting seed, and this will encourage flushes of new flowers throughout the spring.

·      Tidy your perennials back now before their growths get too advanced – by doing this you won’t damage any growing.

·      Lift and divide overgrown clumps of perennials.

·      Prepare flower beds for sowing hardy annuals late March into April.

·      Once soil is prepared, cover with sheets of black plastic to keep the area dry and warmer in preparation for planting.

·      Place pots with spring bulbs in prominent positions in the garden to enjoy their blooms.

·      This is the time to feed your Blueberry plants with ericaceous plant fertiliser.

·      Hoe and remove weeds to keep them under control early.

·      Plant your spring shallot and onion sets – spacing bulbs at 6”

·      Sow tender vegetables (aubergines, cucumbers etc.) in greenhouses or windowsills now.

·      Mow your lawn on a dry once it starts to grow. Also, trim edges with half-moon edging tools keeping them tidy.

·      For bare patches on the lawn, scratch up the surface, scatter grass seed and cover over with horticultural fleece or mesh. Make sure well pinned down to keep birds off whilst the seeds germinate, watering well throughout the summer.

·      Lay new turf when the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged.

·      Install a new garden pond or water feature, to create a successful and attractive garden feature.

·      Remove pond heaters and netting left over from winter.

·      Take down any installation in your greenhouses now the temperatures are starting to rise, letting in more daylight.  Also, open the vents (on sunny days) to let in fresh air preventing humidity from building up.

·      So much needs to be sown this month, needing your greenhouse as soon as possible. Still being cold your greenhouse will start crops that could otherwise be sown into the ground next month, Beetroots, Broad beans, Cabbages, Carrots, Leeks, Lettuces, Peas, Radishes, and Rocket.

·      Clean drives, patios, garden paths paving and steps with a pressure washers or chemical cleaners.

·      Houseplants may be looking a bit grotty after a winter indoors. As the light now increases, they will start to perk up and look better. Give them a start by putting them on your patio or in a bath and showering them down to remove any dust and giving their roots a good soak. 

·      Re-pot any houseplants into larger pots and refresh its compost to help them grow and spread roots.

·      Water your house plants more regularly as the temperature starts to rise but test its soil before watering.

·      Check your plants for pests for pests like aphids, thrips, and mealybugs.

·      Remember to keep putting bird food out as the breeding season begins.

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