Gardener names the top 8 flowers and crops to plant now (Image: Getty)
Garden boss Chris Bonnett from GardeningExpress says there are plenty of crops and flowers that can be sown in March, whether directly outdoors or by starting them indoors first. As soil begins to warm and daylight hours increase, hardy vegetables such as kale, beetroot, and spinach can be sown outside.
More tender crops, including tomatoes and chillies, benefit from being started indoors, on a sunny windowsill or in a heated propagator. March is also a good opportunity to plant onion sets and early potatoes, as well as hardy annuals such as cornflowers and poppies – all of which cope well with cooler conditions. Before planting, make sure to check that the soil isn’t frozen or waterlogged, clear weeds, and consider covering beds with fleece if frost is forecast.
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To prepare the soil for planting, loosen it with a fork or tiller to improve aeration, and mix in a generous layer of organic matter (compost or manure) to improve structure and nutrients.
Here are Chris Bonnett’s recommendations on what to plant in March:
1. Chillies
Chillies grow well in pots, and they should be started indoors in March, ideally in a heated propagator or on a warm, bright windowsill. Sow them in small pots, but once seedlings have a couple of leaves, move to 9cm pots, gradually increasing to 20-30cm pots as they grow. Chillies require a long growing season, so sowing them now will give you an earlier and longer harvest.
2. Beetroot
Beetroot can go straight into the ground once the soil temperature reaches at least 7°C, which usually happens mid to late March. Sow the seeds in shallow drills, 2cm deep, and thin them out as they grow so the roots have room to swell. Keep them well-watered during dry spells and you’ll be rewarded with sweet, colourful roots in just a few months.
3. Spinach
Spinach seeds germinate best in cool weather, which makes March a great time to sow them outdoors. Pick a sunny or partly shaded spot and prepare the soil first. Sow the seeds thinly in shallow drills, leaving 20 cm of space between each row. Spinach grows fast, so it’s useful for sowing in any short-term gaps in your veg plot or borders.
4. Kale
Kale is tough and handles chilly spring days with ease. You can sow it in trays or straight into the ground. Once it’s growing well, pick the outer leaves regularly, and it’ll keep producing for months.
Kale is tough and handles chilly spring days with ease. (Image: Getty)5. Tomatoes
Tomatoes should be started indoors now so they’re strong and ready for summer. Sow the seeds in small pots, cover lightly with compost and keep them warm by using a heated propagator or by placing them on a warm windowsill, covered with a clear plastic bag. When the seedlings get a bit bigger, move them into their own pots to give the roots space to grow.
6. Potatoes
Early potatoes can be planted in the ground or in large containers in March. If you’re planting in the ground, dig a trench 15cm deep, place the seed potatoes sprout-side up, and cover lightly with soil. If you’re using containers, make sure they’re 30cm wide and deep, half-filled with peat-free multi-purpose compost.
7. Hardy annuals
Hardy annuals like cornflowers and poppies can be sown directly outside. Simply scatter the seeds over prepared soil and lightly cover them.
8. Onions
Onion sets are easy to plant – just push them into the soil so the tip is showing. They don’t need much attention, just a sunny spot and soil that drains well.
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