Spring is coming! My top 5 gardening jobs for March

With only a few weeks to go before the official start of Spring, the days are growing longer and there's some glimpses of the sunshine to come.

Here's my top 5 gardening jobs to keep you busy this March.

1. Hard prune Cornus and Salix

Cornus sanguinea in my E11 Woodland Garden

Shrubs grown for the their colourful stems such as Cornus sanguinea and Salix should be coppiced in March and stems cut down to 5-7.5cm to encourage colourful stems the following year.

2. Cut back Winter flowering Jasmine

Jasminium nudifolium

Winter flowering Jasmine or Jasminium nudifolium should be cut back after flowering to a lower bud to control size and shape.

3. Lift and Divide overgrown perennials

Astrantia major and Verbena Bonariensis in my E11 Natrualistic Planting Design

Between March and May is the perfect time to lift and divide congested perennials. Astrantia, Geraniums, ornamental grasses and Verbena are just some of the perennials which respond well to splitting. Your plants will be healthier and you get new plants for free!

4. Mulch your borders

A newly mulched border in my E11 Natrualistic Planting Design

Put a 5cm thick layer of mulch around your plants in the Spring and Autumn to nourish the soil, suppress weeds and retain moisture. Composted bark, mushroom compost or leaf mould make great mulches and soil conditioners.

5. Start to mow your lawn

Start to mow your lawn with the lawn mower blade at the highest level. Only mow on dry days.