Gardens in march

This March we’ll see some of our spring favourites a little later than usual. The likes of Daffodils and Crocus will be later to flower because of the hard cold snap we had back in January. Ive already noticed that Witch Hazel and Snowdrops are blooming later than previous years. I can honestly say it a relief to see March again. Finally the ground is warming up and the grass in beginning to grow but also the days are becoming longer. It’s nice to finish work in the day light again.

I read recently that those that do grow their own spend on average £9.25 a week on fruit and vegetable whereas those that don't are spending on average £13.32 a week. It seems to me that there is a big drive by the media to make us ‘grow your own’ fruit and vegetables this year; I’m already noticing the difference as several of my customers have asked me to build raised beds this year so they can grow their own vegetables.
But why should home growing end there? Why not grow your own perennials and shrubs from seed? Most garden centre are encouraging this now, as a result, seeds, heated propagators and all the kit needed is easily available.

If you want to make a start to home growing and are able to grow things undercover now is time to sow tomatoes, sweet-peppers, aubergines and chillies. If your really keen to make a start outside in the vegetable garden, sow lettuce, spring onions, leeks, broad beans, parsnips, turnips and also early varieties of peas and carrots. Sow your seeds under a cloche or fleece and resist filling the space up all at once as you’ll need to leave room for sowing in April.

Things to do this month – The most important thing to do in your garden this month is an annual spring clean. Fork out weeds and deadhead stems of perennials Doing this now means you don’t have to fight your way through the beds later in the year when things are in leaf and flower.