March is the moment to give your roses a firm hand before the sap really starts rising.
Focus on thinning out the centre of the bush to allow for plenty of air circulation, cutting back any dead or crossing stems to an outward-facing bud. This simple discipline prevents fungal issues and ensures your blooms take center stage with a clear, elegant structure come June.
Alongside removing dead and damaged parts of the roses there are also the three c's to watch out for.
Before the spring growth hides the bare earth, apply a thick layer of well-rotted organic matter across your borders.
When selecting this, the goal is a dark, crumbly material that smells earthy rather than pungent, as this indicates the nutrients are stable. Homemade garden compost is the gold standard for many, as it recycles your own green waste and is perfectly balanced for your local soil conditions. If you are buying in, well-rotted farmyard manure is a fantastic choice for roses and hungry shrubs, though you must ensure it has been aged for at least two years so it doesn't contain high levels of ammonia.
This ‘matter’ acts as a vital blanket that suppresses the first flush of weeds and locks in the late winter moisture. It is far easier to nourish the soil now than to try and navigate around delicate emerging shoots and bulbs later in the month.
If your winter containers are looking a little tired, March is the perfect time for a quick seasonal update. Simply remove any faded winter bedding and replace it with cheery primroses, pansies, or potted narcissi. Refresh just the top few inches of compost with a fresh, nutrient-rich mix to give these newcomers a boost.
This small effort provides an immediate burst of colour near your front door or on your terrace long before the rest of the garden fully wakes up.
March is typically the time for the first mow of the season, but the key is to be gentle.
Set your mower blades to their highest setting to just "tip" the grass rather than giving it a short back and sides. This prevents shocking the roots while instantly making the garden look tidy and cared for.
A neat edge is the secret to a high-society garden, so use a long-handled edging tool to redefine the lines between your grass and your borders for that crisp, professional finish. A bit of aeration would also benefit especially after all the rain we have had so far this year. It will give the soil a chance to ‘breathe’.
