March in the Garden
The growing season begins — time to dig in!
March marks the true beginning of the gardening year — a month full of promise and activity as daylight increases, temperatures rise, and the first real signs of spring appear. Traditionally, this was considered the start of the agricultural year, and it’s easy to see why: nature is waking up, and the garden is ready to get going.
With so much coming back to life, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get busy with sowing, planting, and tidying up after winter.
Top Jobs for March
- Prepare seed beds and start sowing early crops as the soil begins to warm.
- Plant strawberries, raspberries, and parsnip seeds.
- Begin successional sowing of chard, beetroot, and spinach for a steady harvest later in the year.
- Thin out early lettuce seedlings to give them room to grow.
- Harvest any remaining leeks from last year and dig over the soil ready for new crops.
- Plant shallots, onion sets, and early potatoes.
- Sow cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and summer cabbage indoors or under cover for transplanting later.
- Cut back autumn raspberries to the ground to encourage new canes.
- Plant sunflower seeds in pots in a greenhouse or cold frame.
- Plant summer-flowering bulbs for a colourful display later in the season.
General Garden Care
- Lift and divide overgrown perennials to keep them healthy and encourage new growth.
- Top dress containers with fresh compost to replenish nutrients.
- Mow the lawn on dry days, setting the blades high for the first cut of the year.
- Cut back Cornus (dogwood) and Salix (willow) grown for their colourful winter stems.
- Hoe and mulch weeds early to prevent them from taking hold.
- Feed pond fish and restart fountains or filters as temperatures rise, removing any pond heaters.
- Prune bush and climbing roses before new growth begins.
- Protect tender new shoots from slugs and snails.
Did You Know?
Until 1752, Britain’s new year officially began on 25th March — Lady Day, in line with the seasons rather than the calendar. From a gardener’s perspective, it still feels like the perfect time to start afresh!
In Stock This Month
At Newquay Garden Centre, you’ll find everything you need to get your garden off to a flying start this spring — from onion sets and seed potatoes to fruit canes, bulbs, and vegetable seeds. Our team is always on hand to help you choose the best varieties for your garden and growing conditions.
Cornwall Gardening Tip
Cornwall’s mild coastal climate means you can often start sowing and planting a little earlier than the rest of the UK — but be ready with fleece or cloches to protect young plants from sudden sea winds or late frosts. If you’re gardening near the coast, windbreaks or sheltered planting spots can make all the difference for tender crops and fruit blossom.
