Spring is starting, bringing with it warmer weather and lighter, longer days. Drifts of bright yellow Daffodils give us all some much needed hope that brighter days are on the way. March makes for the perfect opportunity to get out and make the most of your garden.
Image courtesy of Pixabay
Dobbies Garden Centres resident gardening expert, Louise Golden, shares her top 7 jobs for the garden this March -
1. Garden spring clean - After a wet and stormy winter, it’s time to take on the disarray of leaves and unkept sheds and get them tidy, ready for the return of the warmer gardening tasks. Declutter garden sheds, rake fallen leaves from lawns and give garden furniture a clean, making sure this is cleaned according to the guidelines for its material.
2. Pick up the paintbrush - Take the opportunity to give the fence a fresh coat of stain for the new season, or even a fresh lick of paint to transform the overall look and feel of your garden.
3. Prepare soil - Prepare your soil for the growing season by working in a layer of around 5cm of compost to flower and vegetable beds.
4. Plant up - In terrace gardens, plant pots, hanging baskets and window boxes with a cheerful display of early season bedding plants including Pansies, Violas and potted bulbs. One of the most economical ways to fill your tubs and baskets with colour this coming summer, is to grow your own bedding plants from young plants available now. Grow on under cover until all frosts have passed.
5. Get summer bulbs ready - Spring is the perfect time to plant your beautiful summer flowering bulbs such as Gladiolus and Ranunculus. Dahlias and Begonias should also be started now too, however these should be started off in pots under the protection of any early Spring frost, in a greenhouse or potting shed.
6. Grow your own - Plant Soft Fruit now, such as Raspberries, Blackcurrants and Blueberries. Mulch existing rows of Raspberry canes and fruit bushes. Plant Rhubarb remembering to allow enough room for them to develop to their full size. Add a thick layer of mulch around your new plant to help retain moisture and keep weeds at bay.
7. Welcome feathered friends - Birds are an important part of a gardens ecosystem and are easy to attract with feeding and shelter. No bird friendly garden is complete without a bird feeder or table, which you can then fill with nuts, seeds and homemade fat balls.
For more expert advice for gardens of every size - from balconies, patio styling, to growing windowsill crops - visit www.dobbies.com.
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