Top 10 things to do in my vegetable garden in March
March is a pivotal month for gardening in the UK, as the weather begins to transition from winter to spring. It's a great time to start sowing, planting, and preparing for the growing season ahead. Here are the top 10 tasks to focus on in your vegetable garden during March:
Start Seedlings Indoors: Begin sowing seeds of tomatoes, peppers, and other warm-season crops indoors under grow lights or in a bright, sunny window. This gives them a head start before the last frost.
Prepare Soil: As the ground thaws, start preparing your vegetable beds. Remove weeds, incorporate well-rotted manure or compost to enrich the soil, and ensure good drainage.
Sow Hardy Vegetables Outside: Direct sow hardy vegetables such as peas, carrots, radishes, and beetroot. Use cloches or fleece to protect them from any unexpected late frosts.
Plant Onion and Shallot Sets: March is the ideal time to plant onion sets, shallots, and garlic if you haven’t done so already. Choose a sunny, well-drained spot in the garden.
Chit Potatoes: Start ‘chitting’ early and maincrop potatoes by placing them in a cool, light place to encourage strong shoots to form before planting.
Prune Fruit Trees and Bushes: Prune apple and pear trees before they start to leaf out. Also, prune currant bushes and raspberry canes to encourage healthy new growth.
Install Supports: Install stakes, trellises, or cages for peas, beans, and other climbers. Doing this early prevents disturbance to the plants' roots later on.
Protect From Pests: Keep an eye out for slugs and snails, particularly if you’ve planted young seedlings outside. Use organic deterrents or barriers to protect vulnerable plants.
Water Wisely: Begin watering your plants more regularly as the weather warms, especially seedlings and new plantings, but be mindful of water conservation.
Plan Succession Sowing: Plan for continuous harvests by scheduling succession sowings of crops like lettuce, radishes, and carrots. This ensures a steady supply of vegetables throughout the season.
Remember, the weather in March can be unpredictable, with warm days followed by frosty nights. Always be prepared to protect your tender plants with fleece or cloches if a cold snap is forecast. Happy gardening!