Like many things in life, the biggest challenge with gardening is the time it takes to see actual results. However, like those great life events, when done right, gardening is worth the wait; in fact, the wait makes the results even more impressive.
Here’s what you can start planting in March.
Sowing indoors
If you have space to start growing veg indoors, or you are lucky enough to have a greenhouse, then now is a great opportunity to get ahead with your growing.
Get a head start with your spring/summer crops by sowing them indoors and planting them out after the last frost (usually May).
Tomatoes – grow an excess in plugs or pots, then give half away and plant a few extra.
Pumpkin – ideal to sow undercover in March or straight out in May after the frosts.
Cucumber – sow 1-2 cm deep in individual pots. When you plant them out, remember that they are climbers, so provide plenty of vertical space for them to grow.
Aubergine – these need a long season, plant in March and move to individual pots as soon as you see leaves.
Sowing outdoors
Some plants have a longer season and will cope pretty well with being sown out, even in the colder weather, provided the ground has warmed a little.
Parsnips and carrots – put out between now and May, making sure that the ground is stone free.
Peas and beans – the earlier you sow your beans and peas, the sooner you will get a crop. If you sow continuously from March – July, you should get crops from July – October. For March planting, make sure you choose early peas to get the best results.
Leeks and onions – sow now until April or October.
Beetroot – love it or hate it, beetroot is relatively easy to grow; sow direct into your prepared bed from March to July and they will be ready in around 2 months.
Spinach and spring onions – sow every three weeks from March until June for a steady supply from May until October.
Whilst it is not possible for a kitchen gardener to be entirely self-sufficient, the feeling of victory that is gained from taking the fruits of your labour from garden to plate is really very special. And, of course, the more you practice gardening, the better you will get.
If the prospect of starting your kitchen garden is daunting, it may be worth finding a local gardener who can help you to get started, then return once a month to help you maintain that all-important momentum.
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