March From the Potting Shed
Potatoes that have been chitting can be planted from the middle of the month, the earlies first. I will plant potatoes over a period of four weeks so as to get a continuity of supply.
Still time to sow Sweet peas and Broad Beans. Early peas can also be started in the greenhouse and planted out later in the garden. If you were unable to get your tomato and peppers started earlier then get them sown now for cropping in the late summer.
Borders can now be tidied up of the old stems, and these stems can be composted. Look out for any thing like ladybirds, lacewings and hoverflies that may be hiding in the stems and let them stay on the ground to allow them to escape into the new foliage.
Lawns can be treated with moss killer such as Mo Bacter which does not require the moss to be removed once it has died. Bacteria will break down the moss which then feeds the lawn. Grass seed can be added once the moss has died back.
Check over fruit trees and bushes and remove any damaged branches that are the result of the strong winds that we had this winter. It is also a good time to plant any new bushes or trees and also apply a good organic mulch to established plants. To help control some of the pests of fruit you can place bird feeders around the plants to encourage the birds to feed on any pests that are starting to appear.
Now that the snowdrops are finished flowering they can be lifted and divided to give them more space to grow. Enjoy all the spring flowers and the fresh new shoots that are going to give promise to the year ahead. Herbaceous plants can be lifted and divided.
Remember to keep some in pots for the Froyle Gardening Club plants sales later in the year!
-Geoff