Chitting seed potatoes
When March arrives, one of the most satisfying rituals for any kitchen gardener is getting the seed potatoes ready through a process called “chitting.” Essentially, this means encouraging the tubers to sprout before they ever come into contact with the…
Planting dahlia tubers in pots
As we move into March, it is time to wake up your dahlias and get them ready for the growing season. After months in winter storage, the first job is to tip them out and give them a proper check…
Give winter-flowering heathers a haircut
As the last of the winter-flowering heathers begin to fade this March, it is the perfect time to step in with the shears. These resilient little plants have been a lifeline of colour through the darkest months, but if left…
Planting bare root shrubs
While it is still a bit early in March to risk putting tender plants out into the garden, it is actually the perfect window for planting woody shrubs. Getting these plants into the ground now allows the root systems to…
Divide snowdrops in March
March is the prime window for moving snowdrops “in the green,” a technique that remains the most reliable method for establishing these winter gems in your garden. Unlike many other bulbs that are planted while dormant and dry in autumn,…
March lawn care
As the weather finally warms up this month, you’ll likely hear the hum of lawnmowers across the neighbourhood. It’s tempting to join in and mow down the grass, aiming for that “bowling green” look immediately, but I’d urge you to…
What to do when bulbs start to fade
One of the hardest things for a tidy-minded gardener to do in March is… absolutely nothing. As our spring bulbs finish their spectacular show, we’re often left with clumps of collapsing, yellowing foliage that look, frankly, a bit of a…
Pruning a Buddleja
March is the best time to prune the Butterfly Bush, or Buddleja davidii. Cutting through thick, old stems might seem daunting, but this hardy shrub actually benefits from strong pruning. Since it only blooms on new growth from the current…
Prep your ornamental grasses
March is the time to get your ornamental grasses back in shape, but your approach has to match the type of plant you’re dealing with. For the deciduous varieties—think of the architectural Miscanthus, upright Calamagrostis, or airy Deschampsia—it is time…