ASPARAGUS
Asparagus require very litlle attention other than keeping the bed weed
free. But they do appreciate a sprinkling of long lasting fertisliser in
early spring. A handful or two of bonemeal or similar per square metre
(yard) lightly worked into the soil will help them as they start to
grow.
Click here for more information on growing asparagus.
BRUSSELS SPROUTS
Brussels Sprouts should be sown outside from mid-March onwards. Plant
them where they will not be badly affected by strong winds in late auumn
and early winter. If you can provide protection, such as a poly-tunnel
or cloche, the seeds can be sown at the end of February.
Click here for more information on sowing Brussels Sprouts and where
to buy cloches and poly tunnels online.
CARROTS
Early varieties of carrots such as Rocket and Nantes can be sown outside
from late March onwards. If you can provide protection, such as a
poly-tunnel or cloche, the seeds can be sown at the end of February.
Carrot seed is very small making them hard to sow in the correct
amounts (see page link below for why this is important). Pelleted carrot
seed is the answer, they are easy to handle and easy to sow. Remember to
spread the sowing over a couple of months so that you have a constant
supply rather than a glut all at one time.
Click here for easy to follow instructions.
LETTUCE
Lettuce are much hardier plants than they look. Start sowing seed out
side from the beginning of March. If you can provide protection, such as
a poly-tunnel or cloche, the seeds can be sown from the second week of
February onwards. As with carrots, sow the seed over a period of a
couple of months to avoid a glut.
If you remembered to sow spring lettuce last year, these should be
coming ready for harvest at the beginning of March onwards.
Click here for easy to follow instructions.
PEAS
Early varieties of Peas can be sown outside from mid March onwards, but
they can be sown four weeks earlier if you provide cloche or poly
-tunnel protection. In order to prolong the cropping season, sow the
seeds over a period of time and sow a couple of different varieties
(first early, second early and maincrop varieties are readily
available).
Click on the page link below for recommended varieties. Finally,
remember that fully grown pea plants can cast quite a shadow over
smaller vegetables so bear this in mind when deciding where to sow.
Click here for easy to follow instructions on sowing peas.
FRENCH BEANS
French Beans are very tender so cannot be sown outside without
protection in March. If you have cloches or a poly tunnel, french beans
can be sown outside under this protection at the end of March. At the
beginning of March, prepare the ground for sowing french beans to give
the soil time to settle.
Click here for easy to follow instructions on sowing french beans.
RADISH
With cloche or polytunnel protection radishes can be sown towards the
end of March. Wait until April if you want to sow radishes without any
protection.
Click here for easy to follow instructions on sowing radishes.
TOMATOES
It's always a temptation to sow tomatoes too early in the season. Unless
you plan to grow your tomatoes in a greenhouse, don't plant tomato seed
(indoors or out) until April at the earliest. What you can do in March
for tomatoes is prepare the ground for planting in April / May. Also,
click on the link below to get some idea of which seed you require if
not already done.
Click here for easy to follow instructions on tomatoes.
ONIONS
Onion seed and sets can be sown outside from mid-March onwards. The same
goes for spring onions which should sown in succession over the next few
months to avoid a glut.
Click here for easy to follow instructions on growing onions.
RUNNER BEANS
Runner Beans are very tender so should not be planted outside, even with
protection, until April. March however is a good month for preparing the
gound for runner beans.
Click here for easy to follow instructions on growing runner beans.
MAINCROP and NEW POTATOES
For both maincrop and new potatoes, you should have started sprouting
them in February. March (early March for new potatoes, mid March for
maincrop potatoes) is the time to plant them. Click on the link below
for lots of helpful advice and pictures. If you didn't get round to
sprouting the seed last month, start now and plant them in March anyway.
Click here for easy to follow instructions on growing potatoes.
SWEET CORN
Sweet corn are very tender so should not be planted outside, even with
protection, until May. March however is a good month for preparing the
gound for sweet corn. When choosing their position remember that they
are tall and will cast a long shadow over nearby crops.
Click here for easy to follow instructions on growing sweet corn.
SUMMER CAULIFLOWER
You can sow seeds of Summer Cauliflower in March as long as they are
protected by poly tunnels or cloches.
Click here for easy to follow instructions.
SPRING CABBAGE
Depending on the weather in your area, Spring Cabbage should be ready
for harvest from March onwards.
Click here for easy to follow instructions.
BROCCOLI / CALABRESE
There are several types of broccoli / calabrese and some are due to be
sown in March. Check the seed packet to see which variety you have. Late
maturing broccoli should be ready for harvest in March.
Click here for easy to follow instructions.
