Practical gardening advice for UK gardens
What to do this month

March gardening jobs

March marks the start of more obvious spring growth in UK gardens. Days are longer, buds are swelling and soil gradually begins to warm, but frost, heavy rain and cold winds can still interrupt progress. Conditions may be several weeks ahead in sheltered southern gardens compared with northern, upland and exposed sites.

The focus shifts towards preparing beds, controlling young weeds and starting the main sowing season. Many hardy crops can be sown outdoors once soil is workable, while tender vegetables are better started indoors. It is also an important month for dividing perennials, planting potatoes and finishing winter pruning before new growth becomes too advanced.

UK conditions vary. Adjust timings for your local weather, soil and exposure.

Key gardening jobs

  • Turn the compost heap to mix wetter and drier material and encourage decomposition as temperatures rise.
  • Lift and divide overcrowded clumps of hardy herbaceous perennials before strong new growth develops.
  • Remove young weeds from beds and borders before they establish deeper roots or begin producing seed.
  • Apply a layer of garden compost or other suitable organic mulch around established plants after weeding.
  • Top dress established container plants by removing some old surface compost and replacing it with fresh compost.
  • Make the first lawn cut on a dry day if grass is actively growing, keeping the mower blades relatively high.
  • Ventilate greenhouses and cold frames on mild days to prevent excessive heat and humidity.
  • Check supports for climbers and tall perennials and repair or replace them before plants need tying in.

What to sow and plant

  • Sow broad beans, peas, spinach, radish and hardy salad leaves outdoors when the soil is workable.
  • Sow carrots, parsnips and beetroot outdoors in prepared soil once conditions are warm enough for reliable germination.
  • Sow tomatoes, peppers and aubergines indoors with warmth and plenty of light.
  • Sow cucumbers indoors with gentle warmth towards the end of the month if you have protected growing space available.
  • Plant onion sets, shallots and garlic outdoors into well drained soil.
  • Plant early potatoes outdoors when soil conditions are suitable, protecting emerging shoots from frost.
  • Plant summer flowering bulbs such as lilies and gladioli into well drained soil or containers.
  • Plant asparagus crowns into prepared, weed free beds where the soil drains freely.

What to prune and harvest

  • Prune bush and climbing roses before strong new growth develops, removing dead, damaged and crossing stems first.
  • Cut back dogwoods and willows grown for colourful winter stems to encourage bright new growth.
  • Prune mophead and lacecap hydrangeas by removing old flowerheads and cutting weak or damaged stems back to healthy buds.
  • Finish winter pruning apple and pear trees before the buds burst.
  • Harvest remaining leeks before they begin producing flower stems.
  • Harvest parsnips still in the ground before strong spring growth resumes.
  • Harvest kale regularly and remove plants once they begin running to flower.
  • Harvest purple sprouting broccoli by cutting the central spears first, followed by developing side shoots.

Problems to watch

  • Watch emerging shoots and young seedlings for slug and snail damage during mild, damp weather.
  • Protect vulnerable new growth and early blossom when overnight frost is forecast.
  • Keep netting secure over brassicas where pigeons are feeding on leaves and developing shoots.
  • Watch greenhouse seedlings for damping off and avoid overcrowding, excessive watering and poor ventilation.
  • Check new growth under cover for aphids and remove small colonies before populations increase.
  • Watch heavy soils and containers for waterlogging after prolonged spring rain.
  • Deal with young annual weeds before they compete with newly emerging plants and crops.
  • Protect peaches and nectarines from prolonged spring rain where practical to reduce the risk of peach leaf curl.
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