From Michael Coulter

This month we see the end of the Summer and the long days. March is a busy time in the garden which I call the harvest season. Apples and pears are at their best along with the last of the stone fruit – and are all to be enjoyed at this time.

The flower garden is a blaze of colour with Dahlias and Chrysanthemums all coming into full bloom along with the Autumn perennials just as many of the Summer annuals begin to fade.

The weather has been hot and dry over the last month so irrigation is still important, especially for seedlings that are planted out for the Winter vegetables or flowers as they need to have plenty of growth before the start of the cooler temperatures.

Spring bulbs may be planted into pots to give some early colour in the late Winter, there is plenty of time for bulb planting into the garden itself.

The lawns are not looking at their best after the hot dry Summer but once the cooler nights arrive, along with morning dews they will start to grow more quickly so will benefit for some fertiliser and weed control. The ground is warm and grass seed will germinate very quickly so now is a good month to sow new lawns or do some repairs to damaged areas.

[one_third]

Fruit & Vegetable Garden

  1. Harvest produce when it is at its best, especially if you want to freeze or bottle it.

  2. Prune out the old fruiting stems of berry fruits.

  3. Clean up and remove any windfall fruit that is not useable so that any pests or disease is not carried over.

  4. Winter brassicas should be planted now.

  5. Green crops may be sown on unused areas to improve the soil.

  6. Strawberry runners that have rooted into the ground should be removed and may be used for new plants.

  7. As soon as crops have finished remove the old plants and compost if possible.

[/one_third]

[one_third]

Lawns

  1. After a good watering (or rain) feed the lawn.

  2. Sow new lawns after good preparation of the ground.

  3. Once the grass is growing well treat for weeds.

  4. Remove any build up of thatch (before fertilising)

[/one_third]

[one_third_last]

Flower Garden

  1. Deadhead flowering plants to encourage more flowers.

  2. Remove any Summer annuals that have finished.

  3. Summer perennials that have finished flowering may be lifted and divided.

  4. Sow sweet peas.

  5. Plant violas, pansy, poppies and polyanthus (including primulas) later in the month.

  6. Prepare the ground for bulbs to be planted next month.

[/one_third_last]

Happy gardening, Michael Coulter

There are plenty of other tasks that need to be done so come to All About Gardening were we can answer your questions or  consult our online facebook group