Jobs to do in the Garden in March

– Begin feeding blueberries and other ericaceous plants like azaleas, camellias, pieris, and rhododendrons with ericaceous fertiliser this month.

– Feed non-fruiting trees, shrubs, and hedges with a granular slow release tree, shrub and hedge specific fertiliser, lightly forking it into the top layer of the soil.

– Start feeding your roses with a balanced fertiliser as they begin to grow.

– Apply a generous layer of well-rotted manure or garden compost around fruit trees, roses, and shrubs, taking care not to touch their trunks, branches, or stems.

– Deadhead spring bulbs like daffodils and tulips once they have finished blooming but let the leaves and stems regrow naturally to allow the plant to store enough energy for next year.

– Boost your cabbages and brassicas with a nitrogen-rich fertiliser such as chicken manure or a specialised vegetable fertiliser for healthier, larger crops.

– If you have any climbing plants, now is the time to add plant supports. It’s far easier to install them early rather than adding them as the plants grow.

– Keep deadheading spring flowers and winter bedding plants to prevent them from setting seed.

– Once the temperatures are warm enough, remove your bubble insulation from your greenhouse to allow more light in. On sunny days, start opening the vents to help manage humidity.

– If you need to harden off any plants, move them from the greenhouse to a cold frame, but keep an eye on the weather for any frost risks.

– As the breeding season begins, ensure that your garden birds have plenty of food to support them.

– Use a pressure washer or patio cleaner to remove slimy mould and algae from paths, patios, steps, and driveways.

– If the ground is dry enough, mow your lawn for the first time this month, but only if the ground is not too soft or frozen. Set your mower blades to the highest setting and choose a dry day to avoid stressing the grass. If the weather has been mild, you can also apply a spring/summer lawn fertiliser a few days after the first cut.

– Preparing your soil now will help if you plan to apply lawn seed later. Remove any debris and apply a good starter fertiliser to give it time to settle before sowing.

– Regularly check your house plants for signs of common pests like aphids, mealybugs, scale, and thrips. If you find any, treat them with a targeted bug control spray.

– Weeds are starting to grow alongside your plants, so it’s important to stay on top of them now before they spread. It’s easier to tackle them while they’re still young.