The Wokingham Word, March 2020

March in your Garden
by Gardeneer
March – the beginning of spring and a favourite time of year.
The warmer weather brings the garden and one’s enthusiasm
for gardening alive. There is still time to plant climbers,
trees and shrubs; new herbaceous perennial plants can be added to
borders; and bird-lovers can put up nesting boxes (on the north sides
of trees) before nesting season starts in earnest.
Needless to say, of course, March brings in a long list of things to
do: mow the lawn, repair bald patches of grass by seeding or replacing
with ready grown turf, prune roses, split clumps of herbaceous plants
and move them around, dig over beds and borders, provide plenty of
ventilation for plants in greenhouses as days can be warm but nights
still frosty and, and, and!! However, if there’s simply too much to do or
you haven’t got the time, call Gardeneer and one of their teams will
come and do it all for you.
Recent high winds may have caused structural damage to fences,
pergolas and sheds. It is worth a quick check to see all is well. If there
is damage, get it fixed quickly before the climbers grow too big and
make the job even more difficult. Call Gardeneer because we can help
with this.
March is the ideal time to look at changing the layout of your
garden. Whether it’s one small flower bed or a full garden layout,
Gardeneer can help and advise on suitable plants and design
schemes to transform your garden. They provide a one-stop
service from design and plant selection right through to build and
completion, working with you all the way to ensure you are delighted
with the finished result.
On the downside, be prepared for the inevitable invasion of slugs,
snails and other pests. Emerging seedlings and awakening perennials
are particularly susceptible to hungry slugs and snails that readily
attack any young, leafy growth. Remember that dogs, cats, birds and
other wildlife can be seriously affected if they eat slug pellets. The
safest and most economical way to use them is to place a dozen or so
under a slate or tile at strategic places around the garden. Birds, too,
can become a nuisance at this time, pecking at emerging buds and
vegetable seedlings. Fruit cages and cloches offer the best protection
but netting and black cotton thread can offer temporary protection
until growth is established.
On a high note, though, Crocus and daffodil bulbs, hellebores and
sweet scented daphne are providing so much colour and will soon be
joined by primroses, primula, polyanthus and camellia. Heartwarming
and uplifting!
Summer flowering corms such as gladioli and crocosmia can be
planted later in the month. If you stagger the time of planting over a
few weeks, you will be able to enjoy a longer flowering period.
JOBS FOR MARCH
m Plant summer-flowering bulbs
m Mow the lawn on dry days (if needed)
m Prune bushes and climbing roses
m Remove perennial and annual weeds.
m Protect plants from slugs and birds.
m Finish digging and fertilising areas to be planted or sown
m Provide ventilation to plants under cover
m Plant shallots, onion sets and early potatoes
m All lawns need feeding in order to maintain vigour. When feeding,
look out for signs of pest or disease and apply moss killer if
required. Regular maintenance is the best way to approach a lawn,
and may avoid the need for renovation later on.
m Visit your local garden centre or nursery now, to stock up with
herbaceous plants, while there is still a good selection. Established
perennials that have been growing for three years or more will
need lifting and dividing, so they continue to flower well.
THE LOCAL
GARDENING
SERVICE OF CHOICE
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Landscape and garden design
• Patio, deck, fencing and gate replacement: your ideas and colour scheme
Regular garden maintenance
• Mow, weed, prune and clear leaves
Tidy ups, turfing and artificial turf
• Spring clean to get the garden started
0118 989 2627 • 07412 353 282 • info@gardeneer.co.uk • www.gardeneer.co.uk
Credit Cards accepted
The Wokingham Word 9 MARCH 2020