Grow Your Own This March
?  GROW YOUR OWN THIS MARCH ?
Spring is near and it’s time to get your fruit and veg garden started.  Here’s what you can plant in March:
âś“ Asparagus – Sow seeds or plant crowns for a perennial crop which can provide fresh asparagus for up to 20 years. You’ll need a little patience to start with though because the plant needs two years to become established before harvesting.
âś“ Broad beans – Sow seeds in the greenhouse and then plant outside after six weeks.
âś“ Carrots – You can’t beat the flavour of a home grown carrot. Early carrot varieties will be ready to pick in around 10 weeks. Sow seeds outdoors around 1cm deep.
âś“ Chilli Peppers – sow chilli pepper seeds indoors, using a propagator until after germination (7-10 days).
âś“ Cucumbers – Sow seeds in a greenhouse or heated propagator or wait until the soil has warmed to sow outdoors.
âś“ Figs – Pot grown fig trees are best planted out in spring.
âś“ Leeks – sow different leek varieties at intervals from now until June and you will be harvesting them from September throughout the winter. Sow indoors and then plant them out once they’re big enough.
âś“ Mangetout – Start mangetout under cover now and then plant out once the soil has warmed.
âś“ Onions and shallots – March is the time to plant out your onion or shallot sets. Plant them in a sunny position with their tips just showing above the soil.
âś“ Peas – Pick an early variety and sow in a greenhouse, coldframe or cloche.
âś“ Peppers – sow sweet pepper seeds indoors, using a propagator until after germination (7-10 days).
âś“ Potatoes (first early) – First early potatoes are quick growing and can be ready as soon as 10-12 weeks after planting. Plant seed potatoes out once the soil has warmed, shoots upwards.
âś“ Raspberries – plant bare root raspberry plants out in the garden as long as the ground isn’t waterlogged or frozen. You can get summer and autumn fruiting varieties.
âś“ Rhubarb – start your rhubarb seeds off in a heated propagator or alternatively plant dormant crowns in the garden with plenty of manure, leaving the tip of the crown visible above the soil.
âś“ Strawberries – Yes the time has come! You can plant pot-sold strawberries outdoors ready for fresh, sweet fruit in a few months’ time.
âś“ Tomatoes – Sow indoors using a propagator with a plastic bag over the pots to create a humid environment. Transplant seedlings into bigger pots as they grow. Tomato plants can be moved outside from May.
Always check your seed packets or individual plant information because sowing and planting instructions can vary between different varieties.