March Garden Jobs in the Chilterns

Why March Is the Busiest Month

March is the month when the garden wakes up. Buds break, bulbs flower, weeds germinate, and lawns start growing. It is also the month when most gardeners realise how much they did not do in autumn and winter. The result is that March is the busiest month in the gardening calendar, and the one where a clear plan makes the biggest difference.

In the Chilterns, March typically sees soil temperatures reach 8 to 10 degrees Celsius by mid-month, which is warm enough for grass seed germination and active root growth. The chalky soils around High Wycombe, Princes Risborough and Wendover warm up faster than the clay soils in Aylesbury and Bicester, which can stay cold and wet into April. This means Chiltern gardeners can usually start spring jobs a week or two earlier than vale gardeners.

Lawn Care in March

The first cut is the most important cut of the year. Do it right and the lawn will recover strongly. Do it wrong and you set the lawn back by weeks.

• Make the first cut with the mower blades high (40 to 50mm). Just trim the top off, do not scalp.
• Do not cut if the soil is wet and soft. Wait for a dry day.
• Edge the lawn with a half-moon edger for a crisp finish.
• Apply a spring lawn feed at the end of March if the lawn is established.
• Plan scarification and aeration for April if the lawn has a lot of moss or thatch.

See our spring lawn renovation guide for a full programme.

Border Work in March

• Mulch borders with a 5cm layer of compost or bark. This suppresses weeds and retains moisture for the whole season.
• Cut back any remaining dead growth from perennials before new growth starts.
• Divide overcrowded perennials. Lift, split, replant the outer sections.
• Weed thoroughly. March weeds are small and easy to remove. May weeds are a nightmare.
• Plant new perennials and shrubs while the soil is moist.
• Feed borders with a balanced fertiliser like growmore or blood, fish and bone.

Pruning in March

• Late-summer flowering shrubs (buddleja, hydrangea, fuchsia): prune hard now. They flower on this year's wood.
• Hydrangeas: remove dead flower heads back to a strong pair of buds. Do not prune hard if it is a mophead hydrangea.
• Roses: finish pruning bush roses by mid-March. Shrub roses need only light pruning.
• Summer-flowering clematis (Group 3): cut back to 30cm from the ground.
• Dogwood (cornus): cut back hard for coloured stems next winter.

Do not prune spring-flowering shrubs (forsythia, cherry, japonica) until after they have flowered. See our pruning guide for detail.

Planting in March

• Plant summer-flowering bulbs (dahlia, gladioli, lilies) in pots in a frost-free greenhouse. Plant out in May.
• Plant bare-root trees, shrubs and hedges while still dormant. Last chance before they break.
• Plant onion sets and shallots.
• Plant early potatoes at the end of March (mid-March in mild areas like Windsor and Maidenhead).
• Plant new perennials. They will establish well in the moist spring soil.

Sowing in March

• Sow hardy annuals direct where they are to flower (cosmos, calendula, nigella, sweet peas).
• Sow half-hardy annuals (tomatoes, peppers, aubergines) indoors with heat.
• Sow vegetable seeds: parsnips, carrots, beetroot, spinach, radish, lettuce.
• Sow salad crops in modules under cover for planting out in April.
• Chit second-early and maincrop potatoes.

Weed Control in March

March is the most efficient month for weed control. Annual weed seedlings are small and easy to hoe off. Perennial weeds (bindweed, couch grass, ground elder) are just starting into growth and are vulnerable to glyphosate.

• Hoe annual weeds on a dry day. Leave them to dry out on the surface.
• Dig out perennial weeds with a fork. Get every bit of root.
• Apply a mulch after weeding to suppress new growth.
• Treat paths and drives with a path weedkiller before weeds set seed.

Wildlife in March

• Keep feeding birds. They are starting to nest and need energy.
• Put up nest boxes before birds start nesting.
• Plant nectar-rich plants for early bees (hellebores, pulmonaria, mahonia).
• Leave a corner of the garden undisturbed for ground-nesting bees.
• Clean out old nest boxes before the new season.

Common March Mistakes

• Cutting the lawn too short. The first cut should be high. Scalping weakens the grass.
• Planting tender plants too early. Dahlias and tomatoes need frost protection until late May.
• Not weeding early enough. March weeds are easy. May weeds are not.
• Pruning spring-flowering shrubs. You will lose the flowers. Wait until after they flower.
• Not watering new plantings. Spring can be dry. New plants need weekly watering.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I make the first lawn cut?

When the grass is dry and growing, usually mid to late March in the Chilterns. Set the mower high for the first cut.

Is it safe to plant in March?

Yes, for hardy plants, trees, shrubs and hedges. Wait until May for tender plants like dahlias and tomatoes.

When can I sow seeds outdoors?

Hardy annuals and vegetables (parsnips, carrots, beetroot) can be sown from mid-March. Half-hardy plants need to wait until after the last frost, usually late May.

Get Help with March Garden Jobs

If you need help with March garden jobs in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire or Bedfordshire, send us a WhatsApp with photos and we will aim to respond within 12 to 36 hours, Monday to Sunday.

Further Reading

• January garden jobs
• June garden jobs
• Spring lawn renovation guide
• Pruning guide for UK shrubs

Sources and citations

This article draws on the following sources. Specific claims are cited inline where relevant.

1. CGM field records (2025-07. Site observations from gardens across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Bedfordshire.
2. Royal Horticultural Society (2024). RHS Gardening Advice and Plant Finder. Available at rhs.org.uk.
3. Met Office (2024). Regional climate averages, South East England. Available at metoffice.gov.uk.
4. British Geological Survey (2024). Soil parent material data for the Chilterns and Thames Valley. Available at bgs.ac.uk.