Kitchen Garden March 2024

For many of us March marks the time when the garden finally starts to grow in earnest. We can begin to sow, even if cool or wet weather means sticking to sowing tender veg in trays and pots or in the polytunnel at first. This might include your tomatoes and if you are a fan (and who isn't?) you'll want to check out our feature starting on page 32 from Rob Smith, which has some great suggestions for new varieties to provide exciting alternatives to some old favourites, which may in some cases have seen better days. Talking about newcomers to the UK allotment scene, Anton Rosenfeld offers inspiration for crops which hitherto may have struggled in a UK climate, but which are becoming ever more a practical proposition, such…

PREPARE SEED BEDS Hoe and then cover with clear plastic. This will cause weed seeds to germinate, which can then be hoed off. Mulch lightly with compost before sowing. PLANT STRAWBERRIES Plant bare root and potted strawberry plants for bowlfuls of this summer favourite. Select varieties for successional harvesting. INSPECT FLEECE Make sure you have enough crop protection in store. Check fleece and netting for tears and holes, repairing as necessary with a needle and thread. PLANT ONIONS Plant onion and shallot sets 2cm (¾in) deep and 8-10cm (3-4in) apart in prepared beds. Spaced in rows 30cm (12in) apart, sow carrots, lettuce or radish in between to maximise harvests. PLANT FIRST EARLY POTATOES Now is the time to plant first early potatoes. Planted from mid to late March, depending on…

JOBS FOR THE MONTH GROW CARROTS IN A CONTAINER For an extra-early crop of tasty fresh carrots, sow some in containers. Deep pots are fine for all varieties, whereas choose roundrooted carrots for shallower containers. Fill the container with multipurpose compost and sprinkle the carrot seed across the surface. Cover with a little more compost and water thoroughly. In March grow carrots in a conservatory, greenhouse or polytunnel − later sowings are fine outside. Or cover with fleece to help keep the germinating seeds warm. Once germinated, thin out, leaving the rest to grow on. Wash the thinnings and add to a salad or make into pesto. Once the carrots have been harvested, use the compost to mulch beds or earth up main crop potatoes. SOW CELERIAC Celeriac benefits from…

WISE WORDS “Gardening is the work of a lifetime: you never finish.” (Oscar de la Renta, Dominican fashion designer). “Have you viewed us on YouTube yet?” BIRDS, SPUDS AND BUGS Steve has an area at the bottom of the garden for wildlife and when he found a couple of rose stakes and some plant saucers during a pre-season shed declutter, decided to make a couple of simple bird tables. A pint milk container fixed to the middle of the saucer with the same screw that fixes saucer to pole and with a feeding hole cut in the side makes a great seed dispenser and helps to keep the seed dry. Tony has been gifted a little bug hotel and he's been calling out to all the insects in the neighbourhood…

OUR SERIES FOR YOUNG GROWERS Hi! I'm Belle and I'm here every month to share lots of fun activities for you to do at home, on your own or with your family Let's turn our empty eggshells into perfect mini growing containers for tasty herbs! We will be saving the eggshells from going in the bin, reducing our use of plastic and growing tasty leaves – so it's a fantastic activity for us to try out together. YOU WILL NEED: ■ Eggshells – still intact, minus the top. ■ Egg carton ■ Peat-free compost for seed sowing ■ Herb seeds – you could try basil, parsley, dill or coriander ■ Spoon ■ Spray bottle filled with water ■ Warm, sunny windowsill ■ Clear, plastic bag (optional) WHAT TO DO: 1.…

GROW TO EAT If you're looking for a down-to-earth guide to growing your own vegetables, consider Grow to Eat: A Practical Guide to Growing Colourful and Delicious Veg from Seed, written by regular Kitchen Garden contributor Rob Smith. Initially, Rob urges the reader to grow what they will eat, to assess how much space is available and to consider vertical growing where space is limited. The main thrust of this book, however, is growing the veg itself. This is divided into five sections: Root Vegetables; Brassicas; Onions, Garlic and Shallots; Peas and Beans; Vegetable Fruit (such as peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes). With essential sowing and growing instructions, top tips, step by steps and advice on problems, Grow to Eat is full of practical advice from a seasoned gardener. Rob's infectious…