March

March Tips

Spring is officially here and hopefully it’s beginning to feel a bit warmer in the allotment! Whilst it can be warmer, don’t get over confident – frost can still be a major risk for your plants. March can be an excellent month to get round to finishing those jobs that you didn’t get chance to do earlier in the year; have you made sure all your tools are in a good condition ahead of the busy planting and harvesting season?

More vegetables can now be sown directly outdoors but might need extra protection from the elements. Cloches can be very beneficial this time of year to enable outdoor sowing. Windowsills should hopefully be filled with new life in seed trays by the end of the month and greenhouses / polytunnels should be warm enough to allow for extra seedling space. Remember to protect your crops from birds with netting and mesh where necessary.

Allotments can also become very colourful in March, as towards the end of the month the early Spring bulbs will begin to flower. Whilst the flowers and vegetables love the weather warming, so do the weeds, slugs, and snails – so make sure you are taking steps to protect your crops.

March Planting

What can be sown outdoors really ramps up in March:

• Parsnips,
• Carrots,
• Beetroot,
• Early peas,
• Broad beans,
• Brussel sprouts,
• Leeks,
• Spring onions,
• Lettuce,
• Cauliflower,
• Spinach,
• Radish,
• Onions,
• Cabbage,
• Swiss chard,
• Turnips.

March is also a good month to continue your indoor sowing: salad leaves, celery, cucumber, tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, and globe artichokes.