March is probably the last month of the early season where you can move faster than the garden - nature is just about to push the growth accelerator so it pays to get ready. Although this season we are a good 2 to 3 weeks behind where we were in the garden last year, the inclement weather we’ve had has certainly slowed things down so if like me you’re a bit behind, you’ve still time to catch up.

Despite of my good intentions I am always a bit behind in March - I’m currently gardening without a greenhouse or a polytunnel and so I am very dependent on weather.

Give your borders a boost

March is a good time to get on top of the borders before they really start growing and do as much weeding and mulching as possible.

I am lucky to have a friend with a good supply of well-rotted horse poo which really helps give my borders nutrients ready for planting later in the season. If you can get hold of some I’d absolutely recommend it, think of it as a vitamin boost for your garden.

Lift and divide Snowdrops

Any snowdrops that have finished flowering can now be lifted and divided to help build up the supply in the garden. Just replant to the same depth for more flowers next season.

Sow some seeds

Hardy annuals can now be started from seed. Without a greenhouse, I sow into pots and then store them in large plastic storage containers. I keep the lids on the sweet pea seed box as mice absolutely love sweet peas seeds and will happily munch the lot. I have also sown Italian Ranunculus claws in pots, again to stop the mice eating them.

As the weather has been so cold this spring, I have also taken the step of ordering hardy annual plug plants. These need to be potted up as soon as they arrive through the post, but they are a good way to get things going in the cutting garden.

Divide Perennials

March is also the time to divide any perennial plants. This year I have divided some very large Delphinium plants I inherited a few years ago and planted them in their new homes.

What’s in bloom in March?

March is definitely the month of the Daffodils in all their forms - bestowing their bursts of brightness throughout the garden.

Camellias are also spectacular this month while other March favourites are Lily of the Valley and a plant that always flowers on my birthday, the Forsythia.