What to Grow in March: Your Guide to Gardening in Early Spring

Winter can feel like it’s gone on forever. The cold mornings, grey skies and waterlogged beds can test even the keenest gardener’s patience. But take heart, the nights are getting lighter, birds are getting busier, and we’re on the brink of spring. Gardening in March is all about fresh starts, careful planning and getting ahead for a productive season.

If you’re itching to get back outside, here’s your complete guide to what to sow, plant and transplant this month, plus how Hortiwool Garden Pads and using wool in the garden can give your plants the very best start.

Vegetables to Grow in March

March is a key month for sowing vegetables, both indoors and outdoors.

Sow Indoors

Starting seeds indoors gives crops a strong head start:

• Tomatoes

• Peppers

• Chillies

• Aubergines

• Cucumbers

• Courgettes (late March)

Use seed trays or modules in a greenhouse or sunny windowsill. Placing Hortiwool Garden Pads beneath trays helps retain moisture and insulate young roots from fluctuating temperatures. Wool’s natural ability to regulate moisture makes it ideal for supporting healthy germination.

Sow Outdoors

If the soil isn’t frozen or waterlogged, you can sow directly outdoors:

• Carrots

• Beetroot

• Spinach

• Radish

• Lettuce

• Parsnips

• Broad beans

• Peas

Wool pads can be laid beneath the soil surface in rows or planting stations to improve moisture retention and provide slow-release nutrients as they naturally break down. This is a simple way of using wool in the garden to support strong early root development.

Plant Out

• Onion sets

• Shallots

• Early potatoes (towards the end of the month)

When planting potatoes, try lining the base of trenches with wool pads. They help retain moisture around developing tubers and add valuable organic matter back into the soil over time.

Fruit to Plant in March

March is often your last chance to plant bare-root fruit before active growth begins.

Plant

• Bare-root apple and pear trees

• Plum and cherry trees

• Raspberry canes

• Gooseberry and currant bushes

• Strawberry runners

When planting trees and bushes, place Hortiwool at the bottom of the planting hole or around the root zone. They act as a natural mulch, helping to regulate soil temperature and conserve moisture, particularly helpful if spring turns dry.

Strawberries benefit enormously from wool pads placed beneath the plants. They help suppress weeds, keep fruit clean, and improve water retention, all while slowly enriching the soil.

Flowers to Sow and Grow

March is a wonderful month for flower growers. Whether you love cottage garden charm or structured borders, now’s the time to get sowing.

Sow Indoors

• Cosmos

• Zinnias

• Marigolds

• Nicotiana

• Sweet peas (if not already started)

Using wool pads under seed trays helps maintain consistent moisture levels and provides gentle insulation during colder nights.

Sow Outdoors

Hardy annuals can be sown directly into prepared soil:

• Cornflowers

• Larkspur

• Poppies

• Nigella

• Calendula

Prepare beds well and consider laying wool pads beneath topsoil in particularly dry or sandy areas. Using wool in the garden in this way supports seedling establishment and reduces watering needs later on.

Transplanting in March

If you started crops earlier in the year, March is often the time to prick out seedlings into larger pots.

Handle seedlings carefully and plant them into fresh compost. Adding small pieces of wool into the base of pots improves water retention and reduces the risk of drying out between waterings, especially useful if you’re juggling lots of trays.

Other Essential Gardening Jobs in March

Beyond sowing and planting, gardening in March is about preparing your space for a flourishing spring and summer.

1. Tidy and Prepare Beds

Remove weeds, fork over soil and add compost or organic matter. Incorporating wool into beds improves soil structure and boosts long-term fertility.

2. Prune Roses and Shrubs

Early March is ideal for pruning roses before vigorous growth begins.

3. Divide Perennials

Large clumps of perennials can be lifted and divided to rejuvenate plants and fill gaps in borders.

4. Mulch Borders

Applying mulch helps conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Wool pads can act as a compostable mulch alternative, reducing reliance on synthetic options while naturally enriching the soil.

5. Clean the Greenhouse

Wash down glass, tidy pots and disinfect trays to reduce pests and disease before the growing season gets underway.

6. Feed the Soil

Top-dress beds and containers. As Hortiwool Garden Pads gradually break down, they release valuable nutrients, making them a simple, sustainable addition to your feeding routine.

Welcoming Spring

After what feels like an endless winter, March brings optimism. There’s something deeply satisfying about sowing seeds while the evenings stretch a little longer each day. By incorporating Hortiwool into your planting, you’re not only giving crops a strong start but also embracing using wool in the garden as part of a more sustainable growing approach.

Whether you’re planting potatoes, sowing sweet peas or establishing fruit trees, wool offers natural insulation, moisture control and soil enrichment, helping you create the perfect spring garden from the ground up.

Happy gardening!