Garden Diary: March

By Mark Hajdukiewicz on 3rd March, 2013, filed in Growing

• Move evergreen shrubs. Now that the soil is warming up and the shrubs will be starting to grow they will lose less water and re establish quickly.
• If not already done in November cut back rose bushes by about one third – removing any dead, diseased or damaged growth to create an open framework.
• Prune shrubs with colourful winter stems – Dogwoods and Shrubby Willow. The best wood colour is produced by one year old stems. Prune back hard now to produce good colour for the following winter.
• Lift and divide overgrown clumps of perennials. As perennials age the centre dies out and the new growth appears around the edges- this is the time to lift, divide and replant.



• Protect the new growth of Hostas and Delphiniums from slugs and snails. Natural barriers such as coarse grit can be used in thick layers around the plants as slugs and snails dislike moving over rough surfaces.
• Plant summer flowering bulbs such as Gladioli, Lilies, Canna Lilies, de Caen Anemones
• Start mowing the lawn regularly- For the first few cuts set the blades on the highest setting. The lawn will stay greener and healthier if it is allowed to grow a little longer. Feed the lawn towards the end of the month. Always use products according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
  New lawns can be laid now.
• Remove netting from ponds if you haven’t already done so remembering to ensure there is an easy exit for any hedgehog that may inadvertently fall in. Remove any old foliage from pond plants. If you have fish in the pond start feeding little and often.

Last chance

Finish planting bare root trees and shrubs and new fruit trees and bushes. Plant snowdrops in the green.