Mar

Things to do in the garden

Finish preparing the ground for the forthcoming planting blitz – you can add some nutrients in the form of well-rotted manure, fish blood and bone, Growmore or chicken pellets.

Turn over compost heaps and re-cover.

Feed pear, apple, and plum trees with nitrogen and potash fertiliser.

Divide congested snowdrops after flowering but still in the green (in leaf).

Put cloches or polythene tunnels over strawberries to encourage early flowering.

Ventilate greenhouses when the sun shines or plants will bake.

Check greenhouse plants for aphids and treat as necessary.

Start rose spraying when first leaves appear to help prevent aphids, blackspot and rust. Use Roseclear or Multirose.

If you haven’t done so buy your seed potatoes now.

GARDENING CALENDAR – MARCH

Plants keep on arriving at Sturmer Nurseries this month, including the first appearance of herbs and vegetables. There should be plenty of cottage garden plants to choose from now, plus more shrubs and climbers.

We shall be trying to visit some of our growers. If possible we like to see plants before we buy them to ensure the quality of our stock.

Don't forget Mothering Sunday. The Mum in a Million rose is always popular, and we will also have a good choice of cards and gifts inside the shop.

Night-time temperatures can be tricky until the end of May, so be sure to buy some fleece for your plants.

Planting

This is a good time to plant fruit trees.

Plant or move evergreens.

Plant shallot sets and cloves of garlic now.

Plant summer-flowering bulbs like lilies.

Plant your raspberry canes.

At the end of the month, potatoes can be planted outside.

Pot up dahlias and keep protected.

Pruning

Take the dead heads off hydrangeas before new growth starts.

Complete rose pruning. Roses can be fed with good quality specialist rose feed like Toprose.

If the weather has been mild and dry, give lawns the first cut of the year with the blades set high.

Trim winter-flowering heathers.

Watering

It’s a good time to install a water butt.

Sowing

Sow broad beans, beetroots, Brussels sprouts, summer cabbage, leeks, lettuces and hardy peas outside or under cloches.

You can also begin sowing cucumbers, tomatoes, aubergines and peppers with heat.

©2023 Sturmer Nurseries

Church Walk, Sturmer, Haverhill CB9 7XD
Tel: 01440 706416
Email: info@sturmernurseries.co.uk

STURMER NURSERIES

OPENING HOURS

FIND US

KEEP IN TOUCH

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER