March is a great time to start sowing seeds as the weather transitions to warmer, dry days that are perfect conditions for growing vegetables. For example, tomatoes and chillies should be planted in early spring to give them enough time to grow fully for harvest.
However, other vegetables like beetroot and salad leaves should be planted in early spring so you can enjoy them during the sunny days!
That being said, March can be cold and frosty during the change in seasons so it’s best to be prepared with the proper heating systems and cold frames if you want you to want to grow outside but are concerned about the unpredictable weather.
Here is everything you need to know about growing in March and how to make the most of the early spring days in your garden.
What to Sow in March
One of the most common beginner gardening mistakes is not choosing the right seeds to grow for the current season. So, it’s good to know what you can sow in March before ordering seeds online and finding out you can’t plant them…
Therefore, here is a list of vegetables you can grow in March:
- Early Turnips
- Parsnips
- Radish
- Beetroot
- Broad Beans
- Early Peas
- Brussel Sprouts
- Leeks
- Lettuce
Now, if you’re wondering, how do you plant each of these? And, what are their specific requirements? Then, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s take a look at these top five vegetables and what they need to thrive in March.
Early Turnips
The first thing to know about early turnips is that there are three varieties: Turnip Purple Top Milan, Turnip Tokyo Cross F1, and Turnip Snowball. For these turnips to grow, they need non-acidic soil and ideally a cloche for cover.
But, what is a cloche?
A garden cloche is a type of low enclosure used to protect plants and crops. Normally, they are used to prevent damage from harsh weather and cold temperatures but they can also be used to prevent pests from infesting your plants.
You can buy cloches in different styles and materials so there are plenty of options available. For example, there are bell cloches, tunnel cloches, and pop-up cloches. Investing in this equipment can be beneficial for growing in March when the weather isn’t reliable.
In terms of sowing, turnips need to be spaced out thinly and watered when the soil starts to feel dry.
Parsnips
Parsnips are hardy vegetables that can be grown in March. You should provide friable soil or be raisedin beds if you have heavy soil. The best time to plant your parsnips is March as the soil becomes warmer which will give your vegetables the ideal climate.
Sowing should be thin and widely spaced out so you should be careful not to overcrowd your area with seeds. When it comes to looking after parsnips you should water when necessary but be careful not to overwater.
Your parsnips should be ready to harvest from October to January.
Radish
Did you know that radishes can be ready to harvest as early as 18 days after sowing?
They are easy to grow and therefore make for an amazing vegetable to try as a beginner or if you have a family and want to include the kids. Radish plants like sunny spots with lots of sunlight. They also prefer organic soil which is rich in lots of nutrients.
Radishes should be sown as follows ½ to 1 inch deep and 1 inch apart in rows 12 inches apart.
Beetroot
You want to pick soil that has been recently manured if you plant on planting beetroot. These seeds should be sown 10cm apart and less thinning is needed compared to other March vegetables.
Just remember that you should do general maintenance as often as possible so your land doesn’t become overpopulated by wild weeds.
Broad Beans
Also known as fava beans, these vegetables are easy to grow. The spring variety of broad beans is wonderful to plant in March and germination takes around 21 days. You can also grow these beans in pots as long as you space them 15cm apart.
As soon as you can feel the broad bean grown inside the pod you can harvest!
A Summary of March Garden Tasks
It’s always useful to have a list of garden tasks to do in March in case you have a spare moment and want something to fill your free time. For planning it’s also important to have a list that you can refer to during the organising stage.
Got a pen ready? Here is a list of garden tasks to do in March:
- Plant potatoes 30cm apart and 15cm deep
- Only sow hardy annuals directly into the soil if it’s warm enough
- Other half-hardy annuals can be planted in greenhouses
- Use a hoe to get rid of weeds
- Spinach, beetroot, and chard can go outside
- Tomatoes and chillies should be indoors if possible
- Perennials should be covered with extra compost
As you can see there are many activities that you can do in your garden in March. However, as a general rule, there are some maintenance tips that you should know about if you’re new to growing your vegetables. These tips will help you succeed this spring!
Survival Tips for March Planting
For enthusiastic gardeners, winter can be a tough time if you don’t have access to indoor planting areas where you can keep your crops warm and continue planting vegetables. That’s why you should try and do as much as possible in preparation for the warmer weather.
Even though you might not be able to plant every vegetable you’d like to in March these tips could save you time and energy later on…
Clean Your Garden
After winter has passed and the weather is heating up it’s a brilliant occasion to clean up your garden. As the winter months tend to cause a lot of disruption to your garden there’s probably lots of sticks, stones, and other debris lying around the floor.
You can also organise your tools and shed so everything is ready to use when the weather picks up.
Begin a Compost Pile
Starting a compost pile has become a popular trend amongst gardeners as people are gravitating towards more environmentally-friendly growing techniques. Although it might take a while to get used to composting it is worth it because of the nutritional value it adds to your plants.
All you need to be aware of when starting to compost is there are two different categories: green ingredients and brown ingredients. Compost piles are best when there is an equal balance of both ingredients.
Green Ingredients
- Tea
- Coffee
- Flowers
- Leftover food
- Eggshells
Brown Ingredients
- Wood chips
- Cornstalks
- Pine needles
- Sawdust
- Leaves
Mixing your regular soil with organic compost will improve the health of your crops and promote better protection against pests and diseases.
Replace Bird Feeders
If you like to feed the local birds in your garden then March is a great month for replacing the feeders. Giving the equipment a quick clean and tidy up won’t take long but it might be the only month you’ll have a spare moment to do this.
Take Care of Your Trees
Just because trees are self-sufficient and need little care doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t make time to prune them in March. When your tree begins to bloom in spring it’s essential to prune them quickly.
Freshen up Your Soil
Once you’ve taken care of your March to-do list it’s vital to freshen up your soil. You can even sprinkle in some of your compost for extra health benefits!
As winter normally destroys the soil you must add fresh soil and cover any bare areas around your garden. That way, you can enjoy planting all of your delicious vegetables throughout the month.
Try Something New and Plant Vegetables in March
March is arguably one of the most exciting times to start planting vegetables in your garden. At this time of year, the weather is brighter and the soil gets warmer making it inviting for new seeds to be planted.
If you like potatoes, tomatoes, chillies, early Turnips, parsnips, radish, beetroot, broad beans, early peas, Brussel sprouts, leeks, and lettuce then you can sow these seeds in March. All you have to do is follow the right instructions and watch your crops grow!