Roses
Finish pruning of established plants.
Annuals
Towards the end of the month, as the weather hopefully turns warmer, sow hardy annuals outside in prepared beds. Half-hardy annuals should be sown under glass.
Perennials
Fertilise perennial beds and apply a thick mulch. Established plants may still be divided and replanted.
Bulbs
Gladioli can be planted during the second half of March. Acidantheras may be planted in the last week of the month. Divide snowdrops.
Lilies
Make sure the young shoots are protected from any frosts.
Irises
Remove dead and dying leaves from irises.
Lawns
Rake lawns vigorously and, if the weather is fine, mow for the first time this year. For the first mowing, blades on the lawnmower should be set high. Spike badly drained lawns with a fork and spread a sandy compost over the holes made by the fork tines.
Shrubs
Prune hardy fuchsia, spiraea, buddleia and jasmine.
Fruit
Mulch trees and bushes to keep soil moist and free of weeds.
