March is the ideal month to get your garden ready for the new gardening year. After the cold winter months, nature is gradually awakening, and with the first warm rays of sunshine, you can get back to full swing. This blog post provides a detailed checklist of the most important tasks you should tackle now. You'll also learn why March is the perfect time to do this and receive practical tips to help you maintain your garden in the best possible way.
1. Remove weeds and protect beds from weeds
Especially in spring, many unwanted weeds sprout quickly from the ground. This is primarily due to rising temperatures and the seeds in the soil receiving sufficient moisture and warmth. Removing weeds early now will prevent them from spreading further and taking up valuable nutrients or space for your crops.
It's best to use a garden shovel or a special weed puller to remove as many roots as possible. This will prevent them from sprouting again. Afterward, we recommend covering the beds with a layer of bark mulch or compost. This inhibits the growth of new weeds, improves soil structure, and provides additional nutrients. If you want to be extra safe, you can lay weed control fabric over the beds.
2. Maintain the lawn
Once your lawn starts growing again and the ground is no longer frozen, it's time to get it back in shape. Start by mowing the lawn at a medium length to shorten the grass blades and remove dead vegetation. You can find tips on mowing the lawn properly here .
Next, you can use a scarifier : This tool lightly scratches the soil surface and removes moss and old grass clippings. Scarifying the lawn improves its aeration, which is essential for healthy growth. Afterward, you can apply a thin layer of sand or fine compost to improve soil quality. Moderate fertilization—preferably with a special spring fertilizer —provides the grass with important nutrients and helps it start the season strong.
3. Cutting roses
Roses are considered a noble classic in the garden and require special attention. March is the perfect time for pruning, as temperatures are usually above freezing, allowing you to encourage new growth early. First, remove all dead and damaged branches down to the healthy wood. Make sure to make the cuts slightly diagonally and just above an outward-facing bud.
This will promote better air circulation inside the plant and reduce the risk of fungal diseases. Afterward, give your roses some fertilizer, such as compost or an organic rose fertilizer, so they can produce plenty of new, strong shoots in the spring.
4. Caring for hydrangeas
Hydrangeas impress with their lush flower heads and are very popular with many garden lovers. In March, you should take care of pruning your hydrangeas to ensure optimal flowering. For largeleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla), simply remove the old flower heads to make room for new buds. Carefully prune just above the first intact pair of buds.
Panicle and snowball hydrangeas, on the other hand, can be pruned a little more heavily to encourage strong new shoots. Ensure adequate watering: Hydrangeas are very thirsty and should be watered regularly, especially during dry periods in spring. A layer of compost or humus around the plant will help retain moisture in the soil longer.
5. Create a vegetable patch
If you want to enjoy fresh vegetables from your own garden, now is the perfect time to plant your garden bed. First, loosen the soil, for example, by digging it or working it with a garden fork. Remove stones, root fragments, and unwanted plant debris. Now it's a good idea to mix in compost or well-rotted manure to create a nutrient-rich base.
When creating your vegetable garden, it's best to plan for mixed crops. This means combining different types of vegetables so that they support each other's growth. Also pay attention to crop rotation to avoid one-sided nutrient depletion from the soil. This will reduce pests and diseases, and you'll achieve higher yields. To protect your plants from late frost, we recommend covering the garden bed with fleece at night.
6. Prepare the raised bed
A raised bed offers numerous advantages: It's easier on your back, the soil warms up faster, and you often have fewer problems with snails. March is a perfect time to prepare your raised bed for the coming season . Fill it in layers: first with coarse tree or shrub cuttings, then leaves and green waste, then a layer of semi-mature compost, and finally, high-quality potting soil.
This mixture promotes soil life and creates ideal conditions for vigorous plant growth. Check the border of your raised bed for any damage, especially if it's made of wood, and repair it as needed. Allow the soil to settle a little over the course of the spring—then add more soil if necessary before planting. If you'd like to build your own raised bed, you'll find great tips and instructions for building a raised bed here.
Conclusion:
March is the perfect time to lay the foundation for a successful gardening year. Get started by removing weeds, tending your lawn, and pruning roses and hydrangeas. Planting a new vegetable patch or preparing a raised bed creates space for fresh harvests and colorful blooms. By tackling these tasks step by step, you'll give your plants the best start to the season—and enjoy a magnificent garden paradise in the coming months. Enjoy!
