Essential Gardening Jobs in March: A Guide
As the chill of winter fades and the first signs of spring emerge, gardeners in Suffolk begin to return to their borders and beds. March is a key time for action, with longer days offering the perfect chance to get your garden off to a strong start. Whether you’re new to gardening or a seasoned green-fingered expert, here are our top gardening jobs for March from Woolpit Nurseries.
1. Prune Bush and Climbing Roses
March is the perfect time to prune both bush and climbing roses before new growth takes off. Pruning helps improve airflow, reduce disease, and encourage a stronger shape and more blooms through the season. Remove dead, damaged or crossing stems, and shape your plant using clean, sharp secateurs.
2. Plant Shallots, Onion Sets, and Early Potatoes
March is an ideal month to start your vegetable patch. Plant shallots, onion sets, and early seed potatoes in well-prepared soil. Add compost or manure to enrich the beds, and space your crops properly to ensure airflow and growth.
3. Plant Summer-Flowering Bulbs
Start planting bulbs such as Alliums, Crocosmia, Lilies and Freesias to bring summer colour to your borders and containers. These are available now at garden bulbs and are easy to plant for beginners. Be sure to plant bulbs at the correct depth, and label them if you’re planting in groups.
4. Divide Overgrown Perennials
Many perennials benefit from being divided in March. This not only helps the original plant stay vigorous but gives you more plants for free! Great candidates include Hostas, Asters, Delphiniums, Iris, Agapanthus and ornamental grasses.
5. Refresh Garden Pots and Container
Check your pots and containers for signs of tired soil or root-bound plants. Now is the time to top-dress containers with fresh compost or repot plants entirely. Add slow-release fertiliser to boost growth and swap out any plants that didn’t survive winter. Browse seasonal plants for containers in stock now.
6. Give Lawns Some TLC
If the weather is mild, March is the start of lawn care season. Mow the lawn on dry days using a higher setting on your mower, and rake off debris. Apply lawn feed to support new growth, and repair bare patches with seed. A healthy lawn now will reward you in summer.
7. Cut Back Cornus and Salix
For colourful winter stems next year, cut back Cornus (dogwood) and Salix (willow) this month. Prune down to low buds to encourage vibrant regrowth. These shrubs bring structure and colour to the winter garden and are available seasonally at Woolpit Nurseries.
8. Tackle Weeds Before They Spread
Now’s the time to get on top of weeds before they take hold. Use a hoe on dry days to uproot seedlings, and add mulch to suppress regrowth. Keeping weeds under control early in the year reduces workload in summer — and helps your plants thrive without competition.
Ready to Garden This March?
From rose pruning to planting bulbs and perennials, March is a key time for preparing your garden. These simple jobs help create the foundations for a healthy, beautiful garden all year long.
Whether you’re planting vegetables, cutting back shrubs, or refreshing containers, our friendly team at Woolpit Nurseries is here to help. Visit us in person for expert advice, seasonal stock and real plants for real gardens.
📍 Visit Woolpit Nurseries in Suffolk
Find us just off the A14, between Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket. We’re open all year round and always happy to help you get the most out of your garden.
