How to Vegetable Garden in March

How to vegetable garden in the month of March involves preparation and protection. Soil needs to be warmed before any planting takes place and there will be early crops that need protection.

Vegetable Garden Preparation

If you have not already begun then now is a good time to start your vegetable garden cultivation and preparation of seedbeds. If there has been late snow or continuous rain then delay working on the ground as you will only succeed in compacting it and doing more harm than good to the soil structure. Covering the soil with polythene will protect it and enable you to begin cultivation earlier. It is also a good idea to cover prepared ground with clear polythene or fleece which will have the effect of warming up the soil ready for sowing.

Growing Potatoes

Continue to chit early and maincrop potatoes. Earlies can be planted out in mid March or early April once the soil has warmed up. In colder areas it is better to be patient and wait until April for a first planting. If you are not familiar with the technique of chitting it is just a way of getting the seed potatoes to sprout before planting. All seed potatoes have a more rounded end on which you will see a number of ‘eyes’. Stand the tubers with the blunt end upright and give them lots of light. An easy way, and cheap way, of keeping the potato tubers the right way up is to use old egg boxes. The potatoes are ready to be planted out when the shoots are between half an inch and one inch long.

Shallots

Plant Shallots into the vegetable patch starting from the middle of March.

Growing Garlic

Growing garlic begin by planting sets bought from a reputable source. It is possible to grow garlic by breaking up a bulb bought from the supermarket or greengrocer but you cannot be sure of the source or how it has been stored. A bulb bought from a good seed merchant will have been prepared by giving the cold storage that is beneficial to starting them into healthy growth.

Onions

Plant out autumn sown onions or alternatively buy onion sets for planting out as soon as the soil is fit to do so

Asparagus Growing

March is a good time to plant asparagus crowns in a well prepared asparagus bed. The bed will be sustain the asparagus plants for many years so it is wise to incorporate plenty of organic matter and ensure that a deep, friable bed results. If you have not ordered or taken delivery of your asparagus crowns they can be ordered now even though delivery may not be until late March / early April.

Tomatoes

Tomato gardening is something that many first time vegetable gardeners attempt with varying degrees of success. Growing tomatos in theory should be fairly simple as long as the gardener follows rules of cleanliness and feeding at the right stage of development. However it has become clear from the correspondence received from various parts of the world that it is easier in some climates than others (which you may expect) and also that the different varieties available in different regions has a bearing on the level of success. If you have not sown seed it can still be done in March but expect the tomato plants to fruit later. Not as late as you might expect as they will catch up to a certain degree. Alternatively buy plants and pot them on as required. When buying plants only buy those labelled with the variety so that you know what to expect at fruiting time and do not buy any that look under stress or are “very leggy”. When to plant tomatoes depends upon your climate and whether you are growing outside or have a greenhouse or warm conservatory to bring the plants on during the colder months. For more detailed tomato growing tips read Best Tomatoes – Growing Tips

Cucumbers

If you did not sow your cucumber seed in February then March is the time to start your cucumbers. Sow in individual 3 inch pots of good compost and do not be tempted to sow too many. F1 seed is expensive anyway and you will not get many in a packet. I prefer to grow the smaller fruiting varieties that mature at a size large enough to be used up at one meal. Two plants of these prolific fruiters provide more than enough cucumbers for my family.

Spring Cabbage

If you have had Spring Cabbages standing out over winter now is the time to give them a feed. Use your favourite feed whether that is a natural feed such as pelleted poultry manure or artificially prepared high nitrogen feed. When harvesting cut the cabbage off the stem and with a sharp garden knife make a cross in the top of the cut stem which can result in additional small cabbages.

Sweet peppers

Sow Peppers in a frost free greenhouse or on a warm windowsill.

Aubergines

Aubergines can be sown in March in a frost free greenhouse.

Celery

March is a good time to sow Celery if you have a frost free greenhouse.

Parsnips

Continue to harvest Parsnips.

Home Grown Leeks

Leeks

Leeks should still be fine for harvesting if you have not already exhausted this wonderful winter vegetable.

Brussels Sprouts

Continue to harvest any remaining sprouts. If you have supported them well during the worst winter months the plants should still provide a meal. Pick yellowing leaves off Brussels Sprouts to prevent spread of grey mould.

Sprouting Broccoli

Sprouting Broccoli is a vegetable that can easily be destroyed in bad winter weather. The heart of the plant can be weighed down with snow and rot and so if you are growing a few plants in a small area it is worth giving them some protection to ensure a tasty meal. Pick yellowing leaves off Sprouting Broccoli to prevent spread of grey mould.

Cabbage

Continue to crop cabbage, a good winter staple vegetable. Pick yellowing leaves off cabbages to prevent spread of grey mould.

Vegetable Gardening Seed to Sow in March

The following is a selection of vegetable seeds that can be sown in March. However, if the weather conditions are not suitable delay sowing as nothing will be gained, perhaps just the opposite with seed rotting rather than germinating.

• Broad Beans
• Carrots
• Parsnips
• Beetroot
• Onions
• Lettuces
• Radish
• Peas
• Spinach
• Summer Cabbage
• Salad Leaves
• Leeks
• Swiss Chard
• Kohl Rabi
• Turnip
• Cauliflower

Garden Pests

Slugs will be on the march looking for a feed so start being extra vigilant. Pigeons can be a real nuisance and will easily destroy a brassica crop. Small areas can be protected with netting or fleece. For larger areas it can be difficult. You can take various precautions such as hanging CDs that will spin in the breeze etc but there is every likelihood that the pigeons will become accustomed to them and just ignore their presence. Mice are a problem when vegetables are in storage as they can squeeze through the smallest gap. It is worth putting down humane traps baited with their favourite chocolate (yes, really). They will also feast on crops still in the ground.

Disease

Any crops that are being stored should be checked and used when at their best. Any stored crops showing signs of rot should immediately be removed. See also: How to Vegetable Garden in February How to Vegetable Garden in April

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