Our Peat-Free Expert, Kate the Garden Guru shares top tips for gardening

March is one of the most exciting times for gardeners as it marks the beginning of the growing season With the arrival of spring, there are numerous tasks to get on with in the garden, but beware, March is a fickle month so be prepared, 1 day the sun will be shining with mild temperatures and the next, heavy frosts cover your garden! Try not to get too carried away and make sure you have some horticultural fleece ready to cover anything that might be vulnerable. Having said that, there is loads you can do and here are my guide to some essential activities that you can be getting on with:

Mulching

Mulching is one of the best things you can do in your garden to help improve your soil, which after all is the foundation for all your plants. Mulching is best done in the autumn and also in March.

Mulching helps retain moisture, suppresses weeds, adds nutrients and keeps roots warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Mulching also helps add texture and bulk to tricky soils  like sandy and clay soils.

After weeding, make sure the soil is moist and spread a thick layer of mulch around your plants, ensuring it does not touch the stems. Think more of a donut rather than a volcano!

Organic materials are best such as home made composts, farmyard manure and soil improvers such as or bark chippings work best. Not only does mulching offer protection to emerging plants, but it also breaks down to enrich the soil with nutrients.

Sowing Seeds Indoors

March is an excellent time to start sowing seeds indoors. This gives your plants a head start before the warmer weather arrives. Use seed trays or pots with good quality seed compost. Some popular seeds to sow indoors include tomatoes, peppers, and herbs like basil. Keep them in a warm, bright place, and ensure the soil remains moist. Once the seedlings are strong enough, they can be transplanted outdoors.

Sowing Seeds Outdoors

As the soil begins to warm up, you can also start sowing seeds directly outdoors. Hardy vegetables like peas, carrots, and radishes can handle the cooler temperatures of early spring. Prepare the soil by removing any weeds and adding compost to improve fertility. Sow the seeds according to the depth and spacing instructions on the packet, and water them gently. Be patient, as germination may take a little longer due to the cooler soil temperatures.

Other Gardening Tasks

• Pruning: Trim back any dead or damaged branches to encourage new growth.
• Weeding: Keep on top of weeds before they become established.
• Feeding: Apply a general-purpose fertilizer to give plants a nutrient boost.
• Cleaning: Tidy up garden beds and remove winter debris to make way for new growth.

March is a busy month in the garden, full of promise and potential. By taking these steps now, you will set the stage for a bountiful and beautiful growing season. Happy gardening!