With the days getting longer, the sun shining stronger and the risk of frost now behind us, garden seeds can start to be sown. A handful of spring bulbs, like daffodils, should already be starting to bloom in your garden and brighten your surroundings.
Make a plan
Before you reach for your tools, map out which areas of your garden and flowerbeds are most ideal for your plant. For example, if your garden has a lot of shade, make sure you choose shade-tolerant plants for these spots and that taller plants don't block the sun from shorter ones. It's also a handy idea to check the dates of any new purchases, so you know when to get planting!
Grow fruit and vegetables
There are lots of vegetable seeds that can be sown in March. Peppers and tomatoes will benefit from being planted earlier to give them a long growing season. Fast-growing veg like peas and salad leaves can be started off early too, ready for you to harvest in late spring and early summer.
When purchasing seeds, check if they should be planted in pots in a greenhouse or sown directly into the ground. For example, cauliflowers will need to be sown under cover, yet beetroot and carrots can be grown outdoors.
Plant summer bulbs
Different months are better for different plants and shrubs. For example, if you'd like to plant bare-root roses, March is your last chance. You may find that the seeds of some summer plants can be sown now to give them a head start. Outside, you can begin to plant lilies, gladioli, crocosmia, and agapanthus – simply plant them in the ground and wait for them to blossom around August time. Dahlias can also be grown now, yet these should be in pots and under cover.