The gardening experts at Hayter Mowers recommended mulching and pruning roses throughout March.
1. Pruning
They explained: “March is the perfect time to prune your roses and bushes, an essential early spring task to improve their vitality and appearance.
“The further back you cut your English shrub roses, the leafier they’ll grow back – a look which is desirable in your summer garden.
“It’s key to remember that the hardest cutbacks produce the strongest growth, as well as remembering to cut closely positioned stems.”
The aim of pruning is to remove any dead, diseased or dying stems, making sure the secateurs you are using are super sharp and clean.
2. Mulch border
Border mulching is an important part of preparing the garden for flowers and can help them grow nice and strong, especially if the spring weather is chilly.
The pros said: “Before starting, be sure to prep the soil with water – this will allow the mulch to retain moisture after it is applied.
Applying compost couldn’t be simpler. All you need to do is cover the soil around your plants with approximately five cm of compost – being careful not to damage the stems in the process.
“Afterwards, use a rake or spade to evenly distribute the compost around your flower bed.”
3. Pest-proof
Pests such as slugs and snails love the springtime as it means they have access to fresh bulbs and plants.
One natural way to eliminate the pests is by encouraging birds such as thrushes into the garden.
Gardeners can do this by bringing in bird boxes and baths into the garden for birds to stop at, and pick up a slug from the garden.
Chris Cooper, Hayter Product Manager, noted: “Another way is to invest in making yourself some raised flower beds.
“Slugs and snails struggle to climb rough wood, making them a useful deterrent and an effective shield for your plants and vegetables.
“This method is also great if you don’t want to use inorganic pesticides or chemicals, leaving your garden completely natural.”
4. Plant summer-flowering bulbs
The expert continued: “If your goal is to create a rich and wide display of bulbs, be sure to plant them in your borders in groups of four to six.
“The more you plant and the wider range of bulbs you use will affect how colourful your display will be come summer.
“To plant them with enough room to grow to their potential, make sure they are planted at a depth two or three times the bulb’s size.
“For example, a two-inch bulb is best planted around six inches deep. The shoot should be facing upwards and spaced at least a bulb width apart.
“After covering them back up with soil, simply water well and prepare to watch them grow!”
