March is an exciting time for gardeners. The time has finally come, the garden can wake up from hibernation. This month there are some important gardening tasks to get the garden ready for spring. Here's what you should do in March.
Prepare and plant new beds
The beds are the eye-catcher of the garden next to the lawn. Both are among the most important gardening tasks in March and should be done carefully. The soil should be well loosened for the bed and, if necessary, enriched with compost or fertilizer. In this way, it is optimally prepared for growth and the plants can absorb the nutrients better. Also the Planting new beds should be carefully considered and carried out in appropriate places. Think of one beforehand planting plan, otherwise it can happen that you put plants next to each other that do not get along and do not thrive.
Green manure in beds and raised beds
One green manure is, if it has not already been done, also recommended in the spring. Yellow mustard (Sinapis alba) is particularly suitable for this. The advantage is that the soil is loosened and the nutrients in the soil are activated.
Fill in and plant the raised bed
If you haven't already done so this fall, now is the time to make your to refill the raised bed, as it can sag quickly over time. Here, too, attention must be paid to the choice of plants. In the first year you should only heavy feeders plant, in the second year it is the turn of the medium feeders and in the third year the weak feeders.
Here are a few examples of Strong.-, Medium-. And weak eaters
heavy feeder
- Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis)
- Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. Italiana)
- Pumpkin (Cucurbita)
- Leeks (Allium porrum var. porrum)
- Maize (Zea mays)
- Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera)
- Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum)
- Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo var. Giromontiina)
Watch out for mixed cultures here too. tomatoes and cucumbers should e.g. B. not be planted together.
medium eater
- Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis)
- Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
- Kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica)
- Carrots (Daucus carota)
- Lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. capitata)
- Radish (Raphanus)
- Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)
weak feeder
- Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)
- Peas (Pisum sativum)
- Lamb's lettuce (Valerianella locusta)
- Radishes (Raphanus sativus var. sativa)
- Various herbs
In order to do something good for the insects flying around, you can, of course, too Flower and herbs in your bed integrate.
Determine the PH value in the soil
Before planting your bed, you should also soil pH Determine and act accordingly so that your plants can thrive.
snail control
Anyone who has not already removed the snail eggs in autumn should use gardening in March as an opportunity to combat them. At snail eggs are round white beads. If you spot egg nests, it's best to uncover them. Either these become a source of food for birds or they dry up in the sun.
weed weed
Pulling weeds is not a popular gardening task in March, but it is nonetheless important. In order to reduce weed infestation over the next few weeks, weeding should be done as soon as possible in warmer temperatures. There are different ways to do that weed to remove from the unwanted places.
harvest time
Depending on the sowing date, some types of vegetables can be harvested as early as March. This includes:
- Asian salads (Brassica juncea)
- wild garlic (Allium ursinum)
- Chicory (Cichorium intybus var. foliosum)
- Lamb's lettuce (Valerianella locusta)
- Leeks (Allium porrum var. porrum)
- Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera)
- Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)
- Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus)
Remove antifreeze and winter protection
If no more frost is to be expected, the frost and winter protection in the garden can also be removed. This applies e.g. B. for bundled pampas grass or potted plants covered with fleece.
Checks and cleaning in the garden
garden foliage
If you left the leaves in autumn, you should dispose of them or recycle them at the latest when you start gardening in March. If your foliage is infested with pests or shows signs of disease, it is best to dispose of it in the organic waste bin or with the residual waste. This will prevent the spread of diseases or pests. Before disposing of it, make sure there are no hedgehogs among the leaves. The burning of garden leaves and other plant waste is prohibited and constitutes a misdemeanor.
garden pond
If you have a pond in your garden, you should also make it fit for the warmer season:
- Remove dead plant parts, secondaries and leaves
- Checking the pond liner for damage
- Check any inlets and outlets and clear as necessary
clean sidewalks
Walkways and other coverings in the garden can be completely cleaned and checked for frost damage after the snowy and rainy days. The easiest way to clean is with a high-pressure cleaner.
tool shed
Checking the tool shed and putting away the garden tools and utensils in it can also be carried out as part of the spring cleaning and refilled if necessary. This makes further work easier. Also the garden house Ä. can use this opportunity to inspect for any damage and plan possible repairs.
ventilate greenhouses
Ventilation of the greenhouses should also be included in your control plan to avoid excessive humidity and to combat possible diseases. Before you sow and plant your plants in the greenhouse, you should ventilate the greenhouse well for a few hours. You should also check any damage to the roof or the film here.
Winter out potted plants
The potted plants, which are protected from the cold temperatures in autumn, can be put outside again from March without any risk of frost. However, slowly get your plants used to the rising temperatures. Some are sensitive to strong temperature changes and should only be left outside for a few hours at the beginning.
Sow & plant plants
Not only can you prefer plants in March, for many the path begins right in the bed. You can easily grow these plants sow in March:
- Asian salad
- Pea (Pisum sativum)
- Carrot (Daucus carota subsp. sativa)
- Radish (Raphanus)
- Arugula (Eruca vesicaria ssp. sativa)
- Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)
- Sugar snap peas (Pisum sativum var. saccharatum)
- Onion (Allium cepa)
The time has also come for fruit trees, berry bushes and perennials to be planted in the previously planned location.
rejuvenate plants
Gardening chores in March also include rejuvenating and pruning plants. It's the ideal time to rejuvenate perennials that don't flower until summer or fall by dividing the root ball. As a result, the perennials flower more and become stronger. In addition, more plants are obtained free of charge.
lawn care
March is the ideal time for lawn care work. To keep your lawn fresh and green all season long, you should complete the following tasks.
fallen fruit and other dirt
If you have fruit trees in your garden, first remove the fallen fruit that was forgotten in the fall or was intended as a food source for animals and insects. It gradually softens the ground and makes it muddy. Pests can also hide in apples & co. and strike again when the temperatures are warmer. It is best to dispose of the remaining fruit in the residual waste. This allows you to carry out the following work undisturbed.
Strong winds or large amounts of snow often cause branches and twigs to land on the lawn. You should also remove these before the next work steps or collect them on a pile of dead wood.
overseed the lawn
Bald spots or spots with holes in the lawn can simply be reseeded so that it grows back more lushly and evenly. But wait until the temperatures on the ground remain constant before sowing. From the end of March you can count on it.
scarify the lawn
Scarifying the lawn not only moss and other tangles, but also promotes the breathability of the roots. This step should not be skipped, as it makes the lawn denser and more resistant to environmental influences. Please note, however, that the lawn must be completely dry before scarifying and the blades must not penetrate more than 3 millimeters into the ground.
fertilize lawn
It is best to start the lawn in March for the first time to fertilizeto provide it with the right nutrients all year round. Slow-release fertilizers, which can provide nutrients for up to 6 months, are particularly suitable for larger lawns. Also, try not to mow your lawn every week, as this robs the grass of nutrients that are important for a dense and lush green.
Prefer
In March, various types of vegetables can be grown on the windowsill or under a plant lamp, and then planted in the bed when the temperature is warmer and there is no risk of frost. This gives the plants strength and makes some varieties more resistant to pests and diseases, such as e.g. B. the potato.
Prefer vegetables in March
- Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. Italiana)
- Kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea Gongylodes Group)
- Leeks (Allium porrum var. porrum)
- Paprika (Capsicum annuum)
- Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
- Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)
- White cabbage (Brassica oleracea convar. Capitata var. Alba)