This is the turning point in the year when people start to think what do do in the March garden. The light shifts, the soil begins to warm, and suddenly the garden feels full of possibility. It is not yet lush, but it is awake and what we do now quietly shapes the months ahead. Rather than rushing, think of March as a month of preparation and gentle momentum. A few well-timed tasks will pay dividends all season.
What to do in the Garden in March for beginners
If there is one job that matters most in March, it is soil care.
Buckinghamshire soil often ranges from chalky in the Chilterns to heavier clay in other areas. March is the perfect time to:
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Dig in well-rotted manure or garden compost
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Improve drainage in clay soil with grit and organic matter
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Mulch borders to retain moisture and suppress weeds
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Check soil pH before planting
Healthy soil is the foundation of every successful garden design, especially if you’re planning new planting schemes this spring.
If the ground is not waterlogged or frozen, fork over beds lightly to aerate them and remove early weeds. Incorporate garden compost or well-rotted manure to improve structure, this is particularly important on our heavier clay soils. Avoid walking repeatedly on wet beds or lawns because compaction now can affect roots for months to come.
What can be done in the garden in March (and what not to do!)?
Resist the urge to clear everything too soon. Seed heads and hollow stems provide shelter for wildlife, and many beneficial insects are only just emerging. That said, gently cut back ornamental grasses before new shoots appear, and remove tattered perennial growth to make way for fresh leaves. Divide congested clumps of perennials such as hostas, daylilies and hardy geraniums this is a satisfying job that also gives you free plants.
What is the best thing to plant in March?
Hardy vegetables such as broad beans, peas, spinach, beetroot and carrots can be sown directly into prepared soil. Onion sets and shallots can go in as soon as the soil becomes less soggy. Under cover, whether in a greenhouse or on a bright windowsill, tomatoes, chillies and sweet peas can be started. Use fresh compost and clean pots to reduce the risk of disease.
What flowers can I plant in my garden in March?
This is the last month you can plant bare root plants. These are different from pot grown plants in that they are dug up straight from the ground and need to be re-planted in cooler months.
Early March is your last opportunity to prune bush and shrub roses before growth gathers pace. Cut back to outward-facing buds, removing any dead or crossing stems, and aim for an open, goblet shape. Summer-flowering shrubs such as buddleias and hardy fuchsias can also be cut back now to encourage strong new growth. Leave spring-flowering shrubs like forsythia until after they bloom.
What to do in the March Garden for Feeding Plants
As plants stir into growth, they appreciate a little nourishment. Scatter a balanced granular fertiliser around roses, shrubs and herbaceous borders, following manufacturer guidelines. Afterwards, apply a mulch of compost or well-rotted manure around plants. Mulching now helps suppress weeds and conserve moisture ahead of warmer weather.
What work to do on the Lawn in March
Lawns will soon begin active growth. On a dry day, rake gently to remove debris and moss, improving airflow at the base of the grass. You may be able to give the lawn its first light cut towards the end of the month, raising the mower blades higher than usual. Once the grass starts to grow, start mowing regularly. For the first few cuts set the blades at the highest setting. Collect the clippings so the air and rain can penetrate the grass. Feed the lawn at the end of March with a lawn fertiliser such as this. According to the national wildlife trust, nature is in crisis. However, there is much we gardeners can do to help and one of the best things is to leave our grass longer to allow the establishment of native flowers, essential to pollinators. Long grass is essential to attracting healthy and varied insect populations and it doesn’t have to be a huge area. Just leaving the edges of the lawn to grow longer is massively beneficial to nature. Or, even better, if you let your grass grow naturally, perhaps just mowing a narrow path through, a variety of wildflowers, such as cowslips, ox-eye daisies and meadow cranesbill have a chance to establish. To extend the season of interest, plant a succession of spring bulbs from early snowdrops and crocus to later flowering camassias, tulips and alliums. All will quickly naturalise.
Protect young, tender shoots of delphiniums, hostas, lupins and other vulnerable plants from slug damage. These pests can do a lot of damage to newly emerging shoots before they’ve barely emerged from the soil and you might not be aware of this until the leaves begin to open up. The best organic method of protection is to put a layer of coarse grit around vulnerable plants.
Plan New Garden Projects
March is ideal for planning and starting:
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Patio installations
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Raised beds
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Garden lighting schemes
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Outdoor kitchens
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Wildlife-friendly planting areas
With longer daylight hours, hard landscaping projects can begin before peak summer demand. If you’re considering a garden redesign in Buckinghamshire, early spring is the best time to book. If you live in the Buckinghamshire area, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us on 01993 813721. Or use our contact form here.
Above all, this month step outside. Notice the swelling buds, the first bees and the quiet lengthening of the days.