March in the Garden

March feels like a turning point.

The light shifts. The days stretch. There’s a softness to the air that wasn’t there before. The garden begins to wake more and more each day, with buds swelling, bulbs flowering, birds singing in the mornings.

It’s a month of momentum. A time to tidy the last of winter away and make space for the energy of spring.

What to Do in the Garden in March

• Deadhead Spent Daffodils and Spring Bulbs - As early bulbs begin to fade, gently remove the spent flower heads to stop them putting energy into seed production. Leave the foliage in place to die back naturally, it’s feeding next year’s display.

  
  

• Cut Back Remaining Perennials - If anything was left standing for winter structure, now is the time to cut it back before fresh growth pushes through. Clear away the old to make space for the new. Crop and drop to mulch your soils and give extra weed suppression.

  
  

• Prune Deciduous Shrubs - Oh what a satisfying task is pruning. Shrubs such as Buddleja, Cornus and Cotinus benefit from pruning this month. Cutting back buddleja encourages strong flowering shoots, pruning cornus keeps those vibrant winter stems youthful, and shaping cotinus helps maintain structure and vigour.

  
  

• Pot Up Dahlias - Bring dahlia tubers into growth by potting them up in fresh compost and keeping them somewhere frost-free. An early start means stronger plants ready for planting out later in spring. I am adding some new varieties to my collection this year with the beautiful 'Evelyn' and Classic 'Caramel Antique'.

  
  

• Cut Back Fern Fronds - Trim away old, tired fern fronds before the new fronds unfurl. It’s a simple job but instantly refreshes shady borders.

  
  

• Sow Hardy Annual Seeds - Keep sowing your hardy annuals undercover for a natural, cottage-style display later in the year. Sweet peas, cornflowers and nigella all do beautifully with an early start. Think of the bouquets and flower displays to come.

  
  

What’s Happening in the Garden?

• Daffodils, crocus and hellebores take centre stage.

• Blossom begins to appear on early trees.

• Lawns start growing again.

• The soil warms, ever so slightly.

  
  

There’s a hum of activity now, subtle, but undeniable.

Final Thoughts

March is about readiness and renewal. It asks you to clear, to prepare, to sow, to trust. Every task this month feels like an investment in the abundance that’s coming.

Spring is no longer a whisper in the wind, it’s on its way.

All my love, love from Donna 🌷