If like me, you’re slightly averse to those chilly winter temperatures, it’s during March that my mind finally lets go of winter and starts to welcome the approach of summer. I almost feel like I have the energy of the March hare, keen to get out and get busy in the garden.

Hopefully between the few remaining cold snaps, this month will see the air fill with all those familiar signs of spring that we all seem to have forgotten about since last year. For me it’s seeing lesser celandine and primroses appearing among Devon hedgebanks, and the glimpse of a bumble bee or red admiral butterfly, maybe even a hawthorn bud towards the end of the month if we’re lucky.

Frog spawn appeared in the pond last month, but I’m still awaiting the return of the toads which are always a couple of weeks behind. However before their return, and before their strings of toad spawn encircle pond plants, I’m going to use the warmer weather as encouragement to get my hands dirty and get my pond into shape. Apart from the usual removal of a few leaves, at the end of last year the marsh marigolds and water mint were starting to spread, so I’ve been meaning to reduce, providing the pond with a little bit more breathing space. Like many marginal plants the marsh marigolds can simply be divided by separating the root clump; you can even remove the plant completely and use a fork if it seems tough going. Keep the fresher looking specimens, discarding the remainder. Water mint tends to creep, so pull up a good proportion of the root stock from the area you’re working on. Once removed these root sections will also take again quite easily; these new plants may be transferred to any bare marginal patches or passed to neighbouring pond owners?

This month sees birds shift gear ready for the task of parenthood ahead. Magpies are often the first birds I see collecting nesting material and they seem to chatter amongst themselves with a bit more authority lately. You may have also heard the frolicking song of skylark if you’ve been out in the countryside. I’m going to be keeping my eye out for my gardening companion, the robin, who I’ve already seen twice popping back and forth into an old pile of pots. I’ve been meaning to plant those pots up for a couple of years, but at least I’ve got an excuse for leaving them alone for a while yet!

In order to give nesting birds a helping hand I’ve begun to add bits of moss, leaves and small twigs to the bird table. I’ve also left the brushings from a neighbour’s dog after a a grooming session. Dog hair will provide great nest insulation keeping eggs warm and safe!

If you have a greenhouse, covered stand or even a bit of space on the kitchen windowsill, you may want to consider sowing the seeds of less hardy annuals to make sure you get the most out of them through the summer months. Growing from seed can also be a great way to make your money go further. Annuals such as heliotrope, petunia and tobacco plant produce nectar rich flowers which are guaranteed to cause a buzz in your garden this summer!