Replace the compost in container plants and top-dress with slow-release fertiliser. Sow hardy annuals to fill gaps in immature beds and borders. Plant summer-flowering lily bulbs in a hole three to four times their height. Seed heads of perennials and place ‘grow-through’ supports in position. The most important task in March is probably sowing. This is also your last chance to plant bare-root trees, shrubs and roses until November. If you can, set your mower’s blade height as high as possible for the first four to five weeks. Start mowing your lawn each week if the grass isn’t wet. Protect young perennials, such as hostas, with organic slug pellets. Remove weeds, then mulch beds and borders with shredded bark or compost to help stop them returning. Hard-prune bush roses back to 30cm, cutting back to an outward-facing bud. March is the time when your gardening routine will begin to speed up – this is the time for mulching, sowing, and repotting.ĭon't forget to deadhead early spring bulbs – but don’t chop back the leaves for at least six weeks after flowering. Deadhead winter bedding plants for bushier displays later in the year, and start preparing seed beds for spring vegetable sowings. In terms of plant maintenance, now is the time to cut back deciduous grasses, ideally down to 15-20cm before new shoots emerge. Make sure the frosts haven’t lifted newly planted trees and shrubs – re-firm around them lightly using your hands or heels if necessary. Deciduous garden hedges can all be cut back fairly hard now. This is also a good month for planting Jerusalem artichokes, shallots, raspberries and blackberry canes, if weather conditions permit.įebruary is also the time to hard-prune your hedges, if you didn't do it in the autumn. Plant bare-root trees and shrubs, and ‘in-the-green’ snowdrops (snowdrops with leaves). You can check off more garden jobs on our garden maintenance checklist, too.īe sure to put out feed for birds throughout the winter months February garden jobsĪ lot can be achieved in your garden during February, particularly on days when the ground isn't frozen or waterlogged. Ventilate greenhouses and conservatories on hot sunny days, and wash the glass of the greenhouse to let in more light. Scrub slippery garden decking and paving with hot soapy water Algon Organic Path and Patio Cleaner (opens in new tab) is useful for dirtier surfaces. Repair and stain or paint fences, pergolas and wooden furniture if weather conditions permit. Recycle cut trees by shredding them for mulch or compost. January is also an appropriate time for tidying your garden and maintaining and repairing your garden furniture and decking. To stop ponds and bird baths freezing over, leave a tennis ball to bob on top of the water. Start putting food and water in your garden for hungry and thirsty birds. Wildlife also will benefit from your help at the beginning of the year. Check protective fleece and straw is covering still-tender plants such as tree ferns.įeed new plantings in late January with slow-release fertiliser such as Blood, Fish and Bone, and water, but leave the application of faster-acting organic fertilisers such as Growmore until the beginning of March. Brush snow from evergreens and conifers to stop the branches from bowing, breaking or splaying out under the sheer weight. If wet weather conditions have made ornamental grasses and other perennials fall flat, start cutting these back to give them a fresh start.Īfter plenty of rain, mulch beds and borders with leaf mould, manure, compost or shredded bark – a layer of around five to 10cm is ideal. Your plants will need protection and maintenance during this time of year.
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