March is when the garden truly begins to wake up. Days are noticeably longer, soil is starting to warm and there’s a real sense of momentum building. While the west of Ireland can still throw a cold snap our way, this is the month where preparation turns into action — and the gardening season really gets underway.
Spring is gathering pace
Growth is accelerating now, so keeping on top of jobs early will make the rest of the season far more manageable. Take advantage of mild, dry days and always keep fleece or cloches handy in case of late frosts.
Ornamental Flowers, Trees & Shrubs
March is one of the busiest months in the ornamental garden. Herbaceous perennials will be pushing through — clear away any remaining dead growth and lightly fork around plants to improve airflow.
Roses should be fully pruned by now if not already done. Feed with a balanced rose fertiliser and apply a mulch of compost or well-rotted manure to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Summer-flowering shrubs such as buddleja and hardy fuchsias can still be cut back early in the month. Hydrangeas can be lightly pruned, removing dead flower heads and cutting back to a strong pair of buds.
This is also a great time to plant new shrubs, trees and climbers while soil moisture is still high. Container-grown plants will establish quickly as temperatures rise.
Divide and replant overgrown clumps of perennials such as hostas, daylilies and geraniums to rejuvenate them and create extra plants for other parts of the garden.
Grow Your Own
Groundwork
Soil preparation is key this month. Remove weeds, rake beds to a fine tilth and incorporate compost where needed. Avoid walking on wet ground to prevent compaction — raised beds can be especially useful in our wetter western climate.
In polytunnels and greenhouses, ventilate well on sunny days to reduce condensation and fungal problems. Refresh compost in containers and top up beds ready for sowing.
For Outdoors
Hardy vegetables can now be sown directly outdoors, weather permitting. Carrots, parsnips, spinach, beetroot and early lettuce can all go into prepared beds although we would still advise at this stage beetroot and spinach to be propagated in modular trays for planting out in about 4-6 weeks time. Carrots and parsnips may also need a cloche for protection and to keep the soil moist and warm - soil temperatures should be consistently above 10ºC for best results.
Plant early potatoes towards the middle or end of the month, earthing up as shoots appear to protect from frost.
Onion sets, shallots and garlic should be in the ground, and broad beans and peas can be sown directly or transplanted if started earlier.
Fruit trees and bushes can still be planted early in March. Apply a general-purpose fertiliser around established fruit trees and mulch to conserve moisture.
For Polytunnels & Greenhouses
Under cover, sow tomatoes with the help of a heated propagator or heat matt indoors. Carrots can be sown directly into beds once the soil is warm enough (see above) as can French beans. Keep seedlings in good light to prevent them becoming leggy.
Direct sowings of salad leaves and radishes can provide an early harvest after which your tomato plants may be ready for planting out in May.
Keep fleece ready for particularly cold nights, especially if growing without additional heat.
See our Grow Your Own A-Z for more details on specific vegetables.
Indoor Plants
With increasing daylight, houseplants are actively growing again. Resume regular feeding with a suitable liquid fertiliser and increase watering gradually as growth picks up.
Repot plants that are root-bound, moving them into slightly larger pots with fresh compost. This is also a good time to take cuttings from plants such as pelargoniums and begonias.
Continue rotating plants to ensure even growth and wipe leaves clean to maximise light absorption.
General Maintenance
Lawns may need their first light cut this month if conditions are dry enough. Raise the mower blades and avoid cutting when grass is wet.
Edges can be redefined to give borders a neat appearance, and bare patches can be lightly reseeded.
Check irrigation systems, repair any winter damage to fencing or structures and make sure tools are clean and ready for heavier use in the months ahead.
And of course, keep bird feeders topped up — natural food sources are still limited in early spring.
Final Thoughts
March is a month full of promise. With every task completed now, you’re laying the foundations for a productive vegetable garden and a colourful summer display. Work steadily, keep an eye on the forecast and enjoy the renewed energy that spring brings.
Everything you need for the season ahead
From seed potatoes and vegetable seeds to compost, tools and flowering shrubs, we have everything you need to make the most of March in the garden. Visit us in-store or shop online at your convenience.
