Gardening tips for March

 

Contents:

1. Checklist for gardening in March 
2. Prepare flower beds and raised beds
3. Mow and fertilize the lawn
4. Sow wildflower seeds outdoors
5. Prune and care for hydrangeas
6. Prune berry bushes and plant fruit trees
7. Start potatoes indoors

March is here – a gardener's heart rejoices, because the The gardening season has officially begun. Of course, frosty days and especially nights are still possible in March. But nature is awakening more and more from its winter slumber, and the signs point to spring. There's quite a bit of preparation to be done in the garden now. We explain exactly what in our gardening tips for March.

March Gardening Checklist

• Prepare, loosen, and fertilize flower beds
• Mow and fertilize the lawn
• Sow wildflowers
• Prune hydrangeas & Fertilize
• Care for berry bushes, plant fruit trees
• Start potatoes indoors

 

To ensure you can harvest crisp lettuce again in summer, you should prepare your beds and raised beds in March. Pictured: The ELEO Monterosso raised bed, powder-coated in anthracite. © ELEO Preparing flower beds and raised beds In March, it's finally time to get back into the garden! Flower beds and raised beds need to be prepared. Remove leaves from the beds, pull weeds, and loosen the soil thoroughly. Caution: Be careful when loosening the soil to avoid damaging young plants that have already sprouted. Finally, you can work compost or horn shavings into the soil. This will provide the soil with valuable nutrients and strengthen it for spring. Raised beds can also be prepared for the new gardening season. Fill the beds with fresh soil and work in fertilizer. This optimally prepares the soil for healthy growth of vegetables and flowers. Mowing and fertilizing the lawn In March, the lawn can be mowed for the first time to stimulate growth. However, be careful not to cut it too short to prevent potential sunburn. Additionally, you can now scarify and fertilize the lawn for the first time.

Wildflowers such as poppies or cornflowers can be sown directly into the flower bed in March. Image source: pixabay.com, Ralphs_Fotos

Sowing Wildflower Seeds Outdoors

Wildflowers such as marigolds, cornflowers, and poppies are not only wonderful splashes of color in the summer flowerbed – they are also insect-friendly and popular with bees. In March, you can sow the seeds directly in the garden bed and enjoy the variety of colors during the summer months.

Pruning and Caring for Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas benefit from pruning in March to ensure they can display a beautiful display of blooms again in spring. But be careful: The pruning technique varies depending on the hydrangea variety.

Hydrangea Pruning Group 1

Hydrangeas in pruning group 1 only need light pruning to protect the new shoots. Simply remove the old flower head just above the new buds. Pruning group 1 includes:

• Moorish Hydrangea
• Lace-Cut Hydrangea
• Oakleaf Hydrangea
• Climbing Hydrangea
• Velvet Hydrangea

Hydrangea Pruning Group 2

Hydrangeas in pruning group 2 can be pruned back more generously. Cut the plants back to just one pair of buds. Pruning group 2 includes:

• Panicle Hydrangea
• Snowball Hydrangea

Pruning Berry Bushes and Planting Fruit Trees

Berry bushes such as blackberry, currant, or raspberry can be pruned and fertilized in March so that they sprout healthy and abundantly in spring.

Pruning Blackberries	A thinning cut in spring revitalizes blackberries and promotes fruit growth. To do this, cut back all canes that have already borne fruit close to the ground. You can easily recognize the old canes by their darker, brownish color.
Pruning Currants	When pruning currants – whether red or white – cut the old shoots close to the ground. The short side shoots usually produce the highest yield.
Pruning Raspberries	Pruning raspberries is also very easy: Cut the old canes that have already borne fruit generously and close to the ground.

 

March is also a good time to plant new fruit trees, as the ground thaws again. Planting in March gives the young trees enough time to take root and develop healthily before the hot summer months begin.

Potatoes can be started indoors in March. Once they sprout, they can be planted out from April onwards. Image source: pixabay.com, Couleur

Starting Potatoes Indoors Potatoes that you want to plant in a garden bed or raised bed can be started indoors in March. To do this, place seed potatoes in a bright, cool spot in your house. Egg cartons are well suited for this. Place one potato in each cavity. The pre-sprouted potatoes can be planted out in the garden from April onwards, as soon as sufficiently strong shoots have developed.