The clocks going forward an hour in March gives us more time to get our gardening jobs done, and the crisp spring sunshine means it is often a joy to be outside at this time of year.  Spring bulbs are beginning to bloom and slowly your garden should flush into life this month.  Read on for a few important tasks to get done this March.

Pond maintenance

If you have a pond, remove as many fallen leaves from the water as you can.  Decomposing leaves, if left in the water, will increase the levels of ammonia in your pond and could also make the water too acidic for pond life to live comfortably.  While you have your rubber boots on, trim any old foliage from pond plants to keep their growth in check.  Finally, this is the time to begin feeding pond fish again.  Little and often is best as excess food left in the pond will encourage the growth of algae and lead to murky water.

Sow hardy annuals

For many parts of the country it is safe to begin sowing hardy annuals.  To prepare the soil, fork the surface lightly but do not add any manure or fertilizer as doing so will produce plants with healthy foliage but few flowers.  Hardy annuals look their best planted in informal drifts as in a cottage garden.  The only rule to bear in mind is that taller plants such as larkspur should go at the back, and shorter varieties near the front.

To plant, create shallow drills with a stick and sow the seeds according to the packets' directions.  Cover the seeds lightly with soil, and then water and label each variety.  Planting in drills means you should be able to tell the seedlings apart from weeds.  When the plants are large enough to handle, thin out the seedlings to give them room to grow and to create the drift effect you want.

Create a wildflower meadow

Making a meadow might sound like a difficult, long-term project but it is in fact one of the easiest and most high-impact gardening tasks to complete.  Wildflower meadows thrive in poor soil in a sunny spot, so if you have a patch of garden which is too arid for anything to thrive, wildflowers might just solve your problems.

Packets of wildflower seeds are widely available in garden centers and usually contain a mix of poppies, cornflowers, ox-eye daisies and more.  To prepare the soil, remove any weeds and stones, and then rake the surface to break up any clumps of soil. Mix your wildflower seeds with sand to make them easier to spread evenly.  Scatter the seeds across the desired area, and then use the back of a rake to gently firm the surface of the soil.  You may wish to protect your seeds from birds, using netting or old CDs. Your meadow will only need cutting once a year, in the autumn, after the flowers have set seed.

Get mowing

The warmer, lighter days mean that grass should begin to grow quickly during March.  Regularly removing small amounts of grass results in a greener, healthier lawn.  For the first few mows of the year, set the blades at their highest setting and remove the cuttings from the grass so the sun, warmth and rain can penetrate the turf.

Plant perennials

Hardy perennials should grow quickly and vigorously if planted during March.  After planting, feed and mulch the plants and keep them well watered until they establish.  If you have existing summer-flowering herbaceous perennials, they can be lifted and divided now.  You will know they are ready for dividing if the center of the plant is dying out, with new growth around the edges.  Lift each clump and use two forks back-to-back to pry them apart.

The clocks going forward is always a welcome reminder that summer is on its way, but it is still worth remembering to look out for any unseasonal cold snaps during March.  One of the best tips for a successful gardening year is to pay attention to the weather and respond accordingly.  If it feels chilly for the time of year, postpone planting seeds or tender plants until things warm up.  Most of all, take advantage of the sunny spells to observe your garden coming to life.