Jobs to do in March

To do:

Cut back remaining growth on perennials and grasses that you left over winter. But take care not to damage new shoots.

You should divide perennials every 3-5 years to improve growth. Now is the time to divide summer-flowering perennials as new growth begins. There are various ways to do this.

Dividing perennials by hand

You can either divide by hand, use a garden spade, knife or 2 garden forks. The method you choose will depend on the rootball. Dig up the plant and have a look at the roots.   If the roots look quite loose, you may be able to simply pull the plants apart by hand, ensuring that you have shoots attached to each rooted section.

Dividing perennials with forks

However, if the rootball is denser, or more fibrous, you will need to use either a sharp knife to cut through the roots, or alternatively you could prise the rootball apart by using two garden forks.  Stick the forks in the middle of the plant, back to back, take a deep breath and pull apart.  Depending on the plant this can be quite hefty work.

Dividing hostas with a spade

If you’re dividing agapanthus or hostas, you need to make a clean cut through the rootball with a sharp spade.  It sounds and looks quite brutal, but the plant will be fine.   You just need to ensure you get a section of root with each shoot.  The picture shows quite long stems on hostas, but its better to divide them before they get to this stage.  The best time is early spring (now!) when the shoots are just emerging above the soil.

Now you have 2 (or more) plants for the price of one.   Add some compost to the existing hole and replant one plant here, find a nice spot for your new plant. Firm in well, water, mulch and you’re done.

Prune winter-flowering Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorim) once the flowers have faded. Cut out old stems to thin and reduce overall size.

Lawn maintenance.  If you spend a bit of time on lawn maintenance now, you will reap the rewards in a few weeks. By scarifying to remove dead grass and moss, spiking to aerate the lawn and brushing in a topdressing to improve drainage, you lawn will improve dramatically. It is quite hard work, but you can get tools to make it easier. See Advice Sheet on Lawn Maintenance.