March Allotment Gardening Checklist

Vegetable Tasks

Undercover Sowing:
Greenhouses, cold frames, or cloches can be used to sow early cauliflower, broccoli, celery, early cabbage, and lettuce. This protects seedlings from frost and accelerates growth.

Broad Beans:
Sow directly in mild areas, or start undercover in colder regions. Consider trench planting and mulch with straw to protect against frost and birds.

Onions & Leeks:
Plant sets and seeds now; choose varieties suited to your local conditions. Onion sets are faster, but sowing seeds gives a wider variety.

Perennial Vegetables:
Establish horseradish, seakale, and asparagus beds now. Dividing older clumps helps rejuvenate the plants. Add compost or well-rotted manure when planting to boost soil fertility.

Spinach, Rocket & Salad Leaves:
Sow in sheltered spots or under cloches for an early spring harvest. Use fine netting to protect seedlings from pigeons.

Carrots & Potatoes:
Start early carrots under cloches. Plant early potatoes under cloches for a head start; choose certified seed potatoes to reduce disease risk.

Peas & Broad-Leafed Veg:
Sow hardy peas outdoors; consider early dwarf varieties for quicker cropping.

Greenhouse Care Tasks

Heated Greenhouse:
Sow tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, melons, and aubergines. Keep seedlings close to glass and rotate trays to avoid legginess.

Unheated Greenhouse:
Be cautious with watering; overwatering can promote fungal diseases. Ventilate on warm days to reduce humidity.

Indoor Fruit:
Start seeds of tender herbs or tropical fruits such as figs, passionfruit, or citrus in pots indoors.

Garden Maintenance & Top Jobs

Prune Roses:
March is the last chance to prune bush and climbing roses before spring growth. Remove dead or damaged stems and shape the bush to encourage air circulation.

Divide Perennials:
Overgrown clumps of hostas, astrantias, or geraniums can be split and replanted for better vigour.

Mow & Feed Lawns:
If weather allows, lightly mow lawns to remove winter debris. Apply a spring feed to encourage healthy growth.

Support Bees & Pollinators:
Leave dandelions and other early flowers to bloom. Consider planting early nectar-rich flowers like hellebores, winter aconites, or primroses to support pollinators.

Prune Buddleja & Summer Flowering Shrubs:
Cut back to a low framework to encourage abundant blooms.

Mulching & Soil Prep:
Prepare beds for summer planting with compost or well-rotted manure. Mulching helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Pest & Disease Monitoring:
Check overwintered crops for aphids, slugs, and fungal issues. Apply organic controls where necessary.

Composting:
Turn compost heaps to aerate and speed decomposition. Start adding early spring garden waste.

March is a month of fresh beginnings. Take advantage of milder spells to get ahead with sowing, planting, pruning, and soil preparation. With careful planning now, you’ll set yourself up for a vibrant and productive spring and summer. To see last years blog please visit here.