March marks the gradual improvement of weather conditions and the awakening of nature from its winter slumber. While it marks the meteorological start of spring, unpredictable weather patterns can still catch gardeners off guard.
Potatoes
Potatoes are hungry plants. If you haven’t done so by now, add plenty of organic matter to your potato beds. They will benefit from the extra nutrients over the coming months. If you live in a warmer part of the country, you can plant first early potatoes from the middle of the month for an early crop. However make sure you protect them with a fleece from any frosts.
Weeds
As the weather starts to warm up, weeds will start appearing from nowhere. Use a hoe on any annual weeds. Perennial weeds will need to be dug up and the roots removed. Staying ahead of the weeds at this stage will save you time once the growing season begins.
What to sow
You can start sowing directly into the soil if the weather conditions are right. Just be sure to cover any seedlings with a cloche or fleece if there’s any frosts forecast. Here’s a few things you can sow either directly into the ground or in modules in the greenhouse:
- Parsnips and carrots (these prefer to be sown direct)
- Shallots
- Onions
- Spring Onions
- Beetroot (fast maturing varieties)
- Lettuce
What you can harvest now
If you have any parsnips, carrots or leeks in the ground, lift them now before they start to re-grow. Either use them now or freeze to use at a later date
Brussels sprouts, kale and swedes should still be giving you a decent harvest, although these will be coming to an end soon.
If luck is on your side, you may be able to harvest some spring cabbage towards the end of the month.