March Gardening Tasks Essential Now
Gardening experts are urging homeowners to complete six essential March tasks including buying and planting early spring bulbs, prepping beds, and refreshing mulch even in rainy conditions. Monty Don warns against cutting grass before March when weather is consistently warmer, while Alan Titchmarsh stresses using protective gear for safety. March is also the optimal time for pruning roses and five other common plants to encourage vigorous growth and bigger blooms.
A light trim is the proper first mow of the season for lawns, a practice that encourages robust root growth. Cutting grass too short early in the season can divert energy from the roots, hindering the lawn's ability to withstand summer drought. Experts generally agree that mid-March is when temperatures are consistently warm enough for the first cut to be beneficial. Prepping garden beds involves more than just clearing weeds; it's a crucial time to improve soil structure. A simple test can determine if the soil is ready: if a handful of soil crumbles after being tossed in the air, it is dry enough to work. Loosening the earth with a garden fork aerates the soil and improves its capacity to store water, preventing it from becoming waterlogged. Refreshing mulch in spring is a key step for pest and disease management. Old mulch can harbor fungal spores and overwintering insects, while a new layer introduces clean material. It also insulates the soil, protecting delicate roots from erratic spring temperature swings and reducing moisture evaporation as the weather warms. When pruning roses, the primary goal is to create an open, well-ventilated structure by first removing any dead, diseased, or crossing stems. Cuts should be made cleanly, no more than 5mm above an outward-facing bud, to direct new growth outwards. For many bush roses, reducing the height of tall, straggly stems by as much as two-thirds is recommended to encourage vigorous new growth. While daffodils and crocuses are already in bloom, March is the ideal time to plant summer-flowering bulbs. Varieties such as lilies, gladioli, and dahlias can be planted now for blooms later in the season. For tender bulbs like gladioli, starting them in pots is a safe option in case of a late frost. Regarding safety, Alan Titchmarsh specifically recommends using gauntlet-style gloves for protection from thorns when pruning roses. For power tools like hedge trimmers, he advocates for helmets with visors, as even tiny flying debris can cause eye injuries requiring a hospital visit. He also suggests using battery-powered tools to avoid the significant danger of cutting through an electric cable.
