East Dean and Friston
March Garden Tasks
East Dean and Friston Gardening club
Sowing & Planting
Plant spring bulbs
• Sow hardy annuals outdoors if soil conditions allow.
• Sow carrots, beetroot, spinach, and lettuce under cloches or fleece.
• Plant early potatoes and onion sets.
Pruning & Cutting Back
• Finish pruning roses before new growth begins.
• Cut back dogwood and willow grown for colourful stems.
• Prune bush and climbing roses to encourage healthy growth.
Watering & Feeding
• Feed spring bulbs after flowering with a high-potash feed.
• Water newly planted trees and shrubs in dry spells.
• Begin feeding container plants as growth restarts.
Greenhouse
Houseplants
• Increase watering as growth resumes.
• Feed every 2–3 weeks with a balanced fertiliser.
• Repot rootbound plants into slightly larger pots.
Harvesting
• Continue harvesting leeks, parsnips, and winter brassicas.
• Pick the first forced rhubarb stalks.
• Use overwintered spinach and chard.
• Sow tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and aubergines indoors.
• Prick out seedlings into individual pots when large enough.
• Ventilate regularly to prevent damping off.
Lawn Care
• Give the first cut of the season on dry days, set mower high.
• Repair bare patches by sowing grass seed.
• Apply spring lawn fertiliser towards the end of the month.
General Maintenance
• Install water butts and check irrigation systems.
• Clean and prepare garden furniture for spring use.
• Support tall perennials and climbers with stakes or trellis.
Wildlife and Ponds
• Frogspawn appears – avoid disturbing ponds.
• Continue feeding birds, but reduce as natural food increases.
• Add new aquatic plants once the risk of frost has passed.
Paths, Fences and Tools
• Paint sheds, fences, and trellis with preservative.
• Lay new paths or stepping stones before borders fill out.
• Check edging on lawns and borders.
Planning and Admin
• Check germination rates and resow as needed.
• Plan succession sowings for vegetables.
• Review planting plans and adjust for gaps.
Leisure And Finally…….
• Visit spring bulb gardens for displays of daffodils and crocus.
• Take photos of emerging growth for a seasonal diary.
• Sit and enjoy the first warm days outdoors.
