As summer fades and autumn begins to settle in, March is a fantastic time to refresh and prepare the garden. Whether you want to attract native birds, enjoy the beauty of sweet peas, or give your potted plants a much-needed nutrient boost, there’s plenty to do this month. Here are 3 must-do garden tasks:
#1 Encourage native birds
Native birds like lorikeets, honeyeaters, and wrens add life, colour, and beautiful birdsong to the garden. Watching them flit about is a daily delight. To attract more of them, plant nectar-rich natives like grevilleas, bottlebrush (Callistemon), and banksias, which provide food and shelter. March is a great month for planting! Also, adding a bird bath gives them a reliable spot to drink and cool off – just be sure to keep the water fresh.
#2 Sow Sweet Peas for Spring Blooms
A well-loved gardening tradition in Australia is to sow sweet peas around St. Patrick’s Day (March 17). Fortunately, if you miss that date, you can still plant them well into April in most regions. Sweet peas thrive in the cooler months and reward gardeners with fragrant, colourful flowers in spring.
How to Grow Sweet Peas Successfully
- Choose the right spot – Sweet peas love full sun and rich, well-drained soil.
- Set up support – Install a trellis, teepee, or fence for climbing varieties to scramble up.
- Soak the seeds – Soaking seeds overnight before planting aids germination.
- Sow directly into the soil – Plant seeds about 2 cm deep, spacing them around 10 cm apart.
- Water wisely – Keep the soil slightly moist. Avoid overwatering until seedlings appear, then increase watering as they grow.
By following these steps, you’ll be rewarded with lush vines and fragrant, colourful blooms when spring arrives!
#3 Feed potted plants
After a long, hot summer, constant watering leaches nutrients from outdoor potted plants, leaving them hungry for a boost. To replenish their mix, feed them monthly with a little pelletised organic fertiliser – it slowly breaks down and releases nutrients, keeping plants strong and healthy. A little regular feeding will keep your pots lush and thriving.
March is a transition month in the garden, offering a perfect opportunity to plant, nurture, and prepare for the months ahead. Whether you’re encouraging native birds, growing beautiful sweet peas, or giving your potted plants some love, a little effort now will ensure a thriving, beautiful garden in the coming seasons.
