Maintenance

Remove winter protection

• Remove protective layers of organic material from perennials. Ensure that you do not damage any young shoots (tips).
• Take care not to walk on areas where there are bulbs in the soil.
• Remove plastic bags or other winter protection from the crown of standard roses.

Weed vigorously again

Weeds grow tirelessly. Remove as many as possible before the seeds can form. This happens more quickly than you think. Eradicate stubborn weeds thoroughly.

Combat slugs

Slugs are mainly nocturnal. You can catch them by hand during their night-time feeding expeditions. There are also environmentally-friendly slug pellets which are not hazardous to other animals (or humans). The other advantage of these is that the dying slugs retreat underground, so you do not need to clear up dead slugs.

Water plants in acid soil

In March plants which like acid soil have a particular need for water. So give varieties such as Pieris, Rhododendron and bilberries extra water this month.

Restore the lawn

A lawn restoring kit is ideal for giving new, dark green life to your lawn. You can do it in a few quick steps, without digging and with aeration. March is an excellent time to sow a new lawn.