Gardening in March in Ireland | What To Do

What to Sow in March

March is one of the busiest sowing months in the Irish gardening calendar. Sow parsnips, carrots, beetroot, turnips and radishes directly outdoors if the soil has warmed sufficiently. Continue sowing tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers under cover. Start courgettes, squash and pumpkins indoors for planting out after the last frost. Sow hardy annuals like calendula, cornflowers, poppies and nasturtiums directly where they are to flower. Sweet peas raised earlier can be planted out. Sow herbs including basil, parsley, coriander and dill on a sunny windowsill. Lettuce, spinach, chard, spring onions and peas can be sown outdoors under cloches.

What to Plant in March

Plant early potatoes (first earlies) from mid-March onwards — St Patrick's Day is the traditional planting date in many parts of Ireland. Plant onion sets, shallots and garlic cloves. Bare-root roses and shrubs should be planted before they break dormancy. Plant summer-flowering bulbs such as gladioli, dahlias (in pots under cover) and lilies. Strawberry runners can go in now. Plant asparagus crowns and rhubarb divisions. Hardy herbs like rosemary, thyme, sage, chives and mint can be planted outdoors. Container-grown shrubs and perennials from the garden centre can be planted throughout March.

What to Harvest in March

Purple sprouting broccoli is at its best in March. Harvest the last leeks, parsnips, chard and kale before they bolt as temperatures rise. Spring cabbage may be ready in forward areas. Rhubarb is producing strong stems now. Early salad leaves sown under cover in January and February should be ready for cutting. Chives emerge early and provide the first fresh herb snips of the season. Overwintered spinach produces a final flush of leaves before running to seed.

Lawn Care in March

March is a key month for lawn care in Ireland. Give the lawn its first proper cut on a high setting when the grass is dry. Apply a spring lawn feed to kick-start growth and green up the grass. Overseed any bare or thin patches — the combination of rising temperatures and reliable March rainfall provides ideal conditions for grass seed germination. Scarify lightly to remove moss and thatch. Aerate compacted areas with a garden fork. Edge the borders for a crisp, neat appearance. Lay new turf or sow new lawns from mid-March onwards in mild areas.

General Garden Tasks for March

Prune roses, cutting to outward-facing buds just above a swelling bud. Cut back clematis Group 3 varieties hard to a strong pair of buds near ground level. Divide established perennials like hostas, hemerocallis and asters. Start feeding container plants with liquid fertiliser. Mulch borders with well-rotted compost to suppress weeds and retain moisture. Check for slugs and snails as they become active in the warming temperatures. Start hardening off early seedlings by placing them outside during the day and bringing them in at night. Clean and refill bird baths.

Ireland-Specific Tips for March

March in Ireland brings rapidly lengthening days and the first real warmth of spring, particularly in southern counties. However, frost remains a threat throughout the month, especially at night and in inland areas. The expression 'March winds and April showers' holds true in Ireland, with strong winds drying out the soil surface quickly. Coastal counties of Cork, Kerry, Wexford and Dublin typically experience warmer conditions than the Midlands and Northwest. Soil temperatures in the south and east may reach the 6-8°C needed for seed germination by mid-March, while northern and western areas may need to wait until late March or early April.

Frequently Asked Questions

The traditional date for planting first early potatoes in Ireland is St Patrick's Day, 17th March. This works well in most of southern and eastern Ireland, but gardeners in northern counties, the Midlands and exposed western areas may prefer to wait until late March or early April. The soil should be at least 7°C and workable. Plant seed potatoes in trenches about 12-15cm deep, spaced 30cm apart in rows 60cm apart. Cover with soil and earth up as shoots emerge to protect from frost and encourage more tubers to form.

March is an excellent time to plant a wide range of flowers in Irish gardens. Plant summer-flowering bulbs such as gladioli, dahlias (in pots for planting out later), lilies and ranunculus. Hardy annuals like calendula, cornflowers, sweet williams and poppies can be sown directly outdoors. Perennial plants from the garden centre including delphiniums, lupins, geraniums and asters can go in now. Sweet peas that were started earlier can be planted out against their supports. Primulas, polyanthus and pansies provide instant colour in borders and containers.

Start by clearing away winter debris, dead foliage and last year's annual plants. Weed beds thoroughly while the ground is soft and weeds are small. Spread a generous layer of well-rotted compost or farmyard manure over vegetable beds and borders — a layer of 5-8cm improves soil structure and adds nutrients. Prune roses and summer-flowering shrubs. Divide overgrown perennials. Service your mower and sharpen tools. Start a new compost heap with all the cleared material. Check supports, stakes and ties. Apply slug pellets around emerging perennials like hostas and delphiniums.

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What To Do In Your Irish Garden In March