March is the month of transformation. As the soil begins to warm and the first green shoots appear, it’s the perfect time to shake off the winter chill and prepare your outdoor space for the season ahead. Whether you have a sprawling country border or a compact patio, our Great Garden Reset will help you lay the foundations for a spectacular summer.
1. Restore & Revitalise: The Deep Clean
Before the new growth takes over, start with a clean slate.
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The Patio & Paths: Blast away winter grime and algae with a pressure washer, or for a gentler “spray and leave” approach, use a solution like Algon. It effortlessly clears stone, wood, and brick without the need for heavy scrubbing.
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Garden Furniture: Give your wooden benches and tables a new lease of life. Once dry, apply a fresh coat of Ronseal Garden Paint. It doesn’t just add a splash of stylish colour; it protects the timber from the unpredictable British spring weather.
2. The March Prune
Pruning now ensures your plants put their energy into the right places for a healthy, stunning display.
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Roses & Clematis: Cut back your bush roses and Group 3 (late-flowering) Clematis to a strong set of buds.
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Wisteria: Trim back the side shoots to 2–3 buds to encourage those iconic dripping blooms.
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Evergreens: Tidy up any frost-damaged leaves on shrubs to keep the garden looking sharp and tidy.
3. Fuel the Growth Spurt: Feeding & Mulching
Think of this as giving your garden its “breakfast.”
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Feeding: As the ground wakes up, apply a slow-release fertiliser or specialised feeds (like Acer Feed) to give plants the nutrients they need for their first big burst of life.
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Mulching: Apply a 5cm layer of organic mulch or compost to your beds. This “triple threat” move suppresses spring weeds, locks in vital moisture, and improves your soil quality over time.
4. Planting for the Future: Summer Bulbs
For a garden that keeps on giving, it’s time to start thinking about summer colour. However, timing is everything when it comes to the frost:
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Hardy Lilies: These can be planted directly into the ground or pots now. They are tough enough to handle the remaining spring chill while they establish their roots.
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Gladioli & Dahlias: These are a little more “frost-shy.” While you can start Gladioli in pots indoors from late March, it is best to wait until the soil warms up in April or May before planting them directly outside.
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The “Potting On” Trick: If you can’t wait, pot your Dahlias and Begonias up in a greenhouse or on a sunny windowsill now. This gives them a head start so they are ready to bloom the moment the final frosts pass in May.
5. Instant Impact: Spring Bedding
Don’t wait for June to see life in your garden!
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Hardy Heroes: Refresh your window boxes and patio pots with Pansies, Primroses, Violas, and Bellis. These tough plants don’t mind the early spring breeze and will perk up immediately after a morning frost.
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Early Perennials: Start introducing early-season perennials to your borders now to create layers of interest that will return year after year.
Ready to Reset?
From cleaning supplies such as brushes, patio cleaner, and garden tools, to the first flush of spring colour, we have everything you need in-store at Gordale to get your garden ready for its best year yet.
