The changing of the guard is occurring in gardens all over the world so "March" seems such an appropriate name for this month. The southern hemisphere is facing autumn and the slowing down of our gardens, while the north is preparing for spring. Such a contrast.

While those below the equator are putting their tools away, those above are excitedly getting there's out as they wait for the snow to melt.

For those who aren't quite ready for what's ahead, I thought I'd prepare some gardening tips to help you March forward and embrace the current season.

Southern Hemispherean Gardens

What to plant.

• Bulbs - the start of autumn is always a great time to start preparing for spring. Some bulbs can start going in the ground already, though many will need to wait until the end of autumn. If you're a garlic fan, try burying a few cloves in the soil with the point facing upwards.


• Winter Annuals - you could plant the typical choice winter annuals such as pansies and violas or you could try and stretch your imagination a little further. Why not try raising some seeds for winter flowering with plants like; dianthus, kale, calendula's and marigolds, lobelia, primulas and cyclamen.


• Vegetables - March is a good time to sow your vegetable seeds as well. Celeriac, celery, another row of carrots, swiss chard and broad beans should be going in the ground this month.

• Get some more compost going - March will still produce some warm temperatures and with the flood of leaves you're going to start getting from your deciduous trees, it's the perfect time to get another batch underway.


• Take cuttings - Most of your perennials will begin to slow down as they prepare for their dormant winter. This is a great time to take some cuttings to grow on for spring.


• Transplant Perennials - If that perennial plant has become a perennial problem it might be time to move it. March is the perfect time to start moving some of your shrubs and trees that need a new location.


• Prune diseased plants - It's best to hold off pruning most of your plants until late winter but if you have diseased stock, use this slow-down month to remove it. Don't throw it in with your compost as this will cause further problems with your garden, but either burn it or discard it off your property.

Northern Hemispherean Gardens

What to plant.

• Summer-flowering bulbs - You can never have enough bulbs in the garden and you will become disappointed once all your spring flowering bulbs have finished. Instead, throw a few of the summer flowering bulbs like; dahlias, calla lillies, Lily Longiflorium and gladioli can start to be planted amongst your spring flowering beds.


• Vegetables - if you haven't got any tomatoes in the ground yet, or at least in seedling trays, now is a good time to get some going. Once the snow melts, you can also start planting out your carrots, parsnips, marrows, cucumbers, eggplants and any other vegetables that enjoy the warmth.


• Spring Annuals - you can either raise them from seed sown in position or buy some seedlings ready to go in the ground.

• Fertilise - Your soil and plants are going to be ravenous after the winter break and as most of your nutrients will have been leached out of the soil with the rains or snow it's time to build them up again. Your flowering annuals and vegetables will need some one-off soil boosters plus a liquid fertiliser every few weeks.


• Start pruning - if you missed the end of winter deadlines, March is still a good time to start pruning. Your roses should be trimmed back as well as your fruit trees. Perennial shrubs and ornamental trees will also need pruning, mostly for shape.


• Begin mulching - the warmer areas south will most likely need this before the north. Start dressing up your beds with a thick blanket of mulch to add some nutrients to the soil plus also smother any weeds that are beginning to germinate.

For those gardeners above the equator, your time is going to get really busy while for us southerners it's time to slow the clock down a little.

Posted by Stuart | Permalink | Comments (2)