Spring is here, and it's time to dust off the secateurs and trowels. From pruning and sowing to mowing, there's plenty to tick off our gardening to-do lists now.
However, there is one spring gardening job experts say is best left for the time being, as skipping it can make a big difference to local wildlife – while saving you some time.
As our gardens slowly wake up from their winter slumber, so do bees and butterflies. Pollinators come out of diapause between early March to April, when the first flowers begin to bloom.
In the early days of spring, however, nectar-rich blossoms can still be hard to come by, posing a potential threat to pollinators.
"If nectar isn’t available in March and early April, colonies can be weakened before the season has properly begun,” says Morris Hankinson, Managing Director of Hopes Grove Nurseries.
“Bee activity often doesn’t match what’s flowering in our gardens and many people aren’t aware of the simple garden tasks that can protect them."
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This is where one unassuming plant comes into play: dandelions.
According to Morris, choosing not to remove these yellow-flowering plants – considered a weed by many – can make a world of difference for airborne insects in search of early-season sustenance.
"The humble Taraxacum officinale is one of the most important early nectar sources for bees and other pollinators," he says. "The flowers are rich in pollen when there is little else in the garden flowering."
Because dandelions can grow almost anywhere – from cracks in the tarmac to lawns and flowerbeds – gardeners often try to remove them.
But Morris urges gardeners to hold off on this particular spring job. "Delay mowing the lawn or removing dandelions at this time of year so the bees can enjoy them," he says.
Not only will you be helping local wildlife, you’ll also gain a little time back to enjoy the first warming rays of sunshine and the intoxicating hint of spring in the air before the busy gardening season fully kicks off.
Gardening jobs you should tackle in March:
- 6 plants to prune in March before it's too late
- 27 easy planting wins for March
- Everything to plant, prune and prepare in the garden this month
Gardening must-haves
Filberts of Dorset Gardeners Hand Salve
Haywards Garden Bee and Butterfly Water Stations, Garden Décor, set of three colourful bee water cups .
Home Sussex Handmade Peg Apron
Painted Garden Label/Marker
The Fae Potter Wild Bird Feeder ceramic hanging
WhinnyPoo WhinnyPoo Box of 3 Plant Feed
Wanda Sachs is the Multiplatform Writer for Country Living and House Beautiful, exploring the latest in gardening, wildlife and sustainable living alongside interiors and property. She is particularly interested in human-interest stories, the intersection of design and pop culture, and the evolving relationship between urban and rural life. Previously, she served as Associate Editor at The Berliner in Berlin, where she reported on culture and fashion. Wanda studied English and German at the Goethe University Frankfurt and Exeter University.
