Monty Don Warns: The One Gardening Task to Avoid in March—Wait Until June Instead

As March arrives, gardeners will witness plants bursting back to life, marking the official start of spring. With rising temperatures and longer daylight hours, spending time outdoors becomes more enjoyable, and there are plenty of gardening tasks to tackle.

One of the best ways to ensure year-round flowering is by planting bulbs, which can be sown in autumn, spring, or summer, depending on their variety.

However, Monty Don has cautioned against one common gardening mistake this month. While it may be tempting to trim and tidy plants, the 69-year-old gardening expert strongly advises against cutting back or tying up the leaves of any bulbs.

He explained, “Do not cut back, tie, or tidy the leaves of any bulbs; instead, allow them to die back naturally. The foliage plays a crucial role in photosynthesis, helping to create next year’s flowers.”

“Allow the leaves to remain until every trace of green has disappeared—usually by June—before tidying them up or cutting them back,” advises Monty Don.

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) also recommends waiting at least six weeks after flowering before trimming bulb plants. Dead foliage should only be removed once it has turned yellow and straw-like. Until then, gardeners should continue watering and feeding the bulbs as usual to support their growth.

Because the leaves play a crucial role in photosynthesis, they must be left exposed to sunlight. Methods such as bending, braiding, or tucking them under other plants should be avoided, as these can hinder the plant’s ability to store energy for the next flowering season.

The ease of growing spring bulbs varies by type, but daffodils and tulips are among the simplest to cultivate. Daffodils thrive in well-drained soil, away from deep shade and south-facing walls. The RHS advises planting them at a depth of four to six inches—twice the height of the bulb—and spacing them four to eight inches apart.

Tulips, on the other hand, should ideally be planted in October or November, with their vibrant blooms appearing between March and May. They prefer full sun and should be spaced at least twice the bulb’s width apart, planted at a depth of two to three times their height.

While most tulip varieties need replanting each year, as they often fail to reflower, some exceptions exist. Varieties such as Narcissus actaea and Narcissus carlton reliably bloom annually, offering a low-maintenance option for gardeners seeking long-term beauty in their landscapes.