❚ All products chosen independently by our journalists. We may receive commission via affiliate links for purchases made. See our affiliates FAQs.
Allotment jobs for March
- BBC Gardeners' World Magazine
Published: Thursday, 18 March 2021 at 9:30 am
Get a head start on your allotment this spring, find out what jobs you can do right now.
Save
- Share on facebook
- Share on twitter
- Share on pinterest
- Share on whatsapp
- Share on blogger
- Email to a friend
March is a busy time on the allotment, as you need to prepare soil, sow seeds and plant out a huge variety of edible crops. Key jobs include weeding, sowing seeds and planting out. Only plant out when temperatures are above freezing, ensuring plants are hardy and have been hardened off (acclimatised to outside conditions) before planting. Pre-warming the soil with cloches or clear plastic sheeting can enable you to plant certain crops – such as broad beans – out sooner. For more ideas, read our comprehensive guide about what to plant in March.
Ad
Here are some key allotment jobs for March.
Weed your plot
Hoeing a plot
Dig out any problem weeds, especially perennial weeds – if you get on top of them now, they'll be easier to control for the rest of the year. Hoe regularly to prevent annual weed seedlings growing.
To help choose the right hoe for you see our guide to 10 of the best garden hoes and if you're tackling perennial weeds take a look at our roundup of 14 of the best garden spades.
Protect plants from pests
A slug on a hand
Slugs can start to be a problem in warmer, wet weather, so take steps to protect your plants. Protect brassicas from hungry pigeons by covering them with fleece. You may spot early infestations of aphids but be patient – remember they're an important food source for ladybirds, hoverflies and birds such as sparrows, which will keep numbers of aphids in check so they don't become a problem.
- How to make a scarecrow
- Buy horticultural fleece from Dobies, Crocus and Thompson and Morgan
Warm the soil and force early crops
Uncovering rhubarb beneath a forcer
Cover beds with cloches or black plastic to warm the soil for early sowings. Encourage an early crop of strawberries in early summer by covering a row or two with a cloche. You can continue to force rhubarb, too, by covering it with a forcer or upturned dustbin or bucket. Need a new cloche? We've chosen a range of different styles in our roundup of the best garden cloches.
- Buy rhubarb forcers from Crocus, Water Butts Direct and Etsy
Feed brassicas and fruit
Purple and green cabbage heart
Feed cabbages and other brassicas with pelleted chicken manure or other nitrogen-rich fertiliser. You could also feed fruit trees and bushes, including cherries and plums.
Order or buy young veg plants
A tray of seedlings
Buy trays of young veg plants that you don't have the time or space to grow from seed, either by mail order or look for them at the garden centre.
Where to buy vegetable plants online
Sow seeds
Sow beetroot, broad beans, salads and Swiss chard direct into well-prepared soil. You could also make early sowings of carrots, peas, spinach and radishes if the soil is warm enough. You can also start off aubergines, chillies and peppers, plus tomatoes, under cover. Get started with our guide to peat free composts.
- Buy vegetable seeds from Crocus, Thompson & Morgan and Suttons
Get planting
Planting onions in a row
March is the last month for planting bare-root fruit trees and bushes. You can also plant bare-root strawberry runners, asparagus crowns and Jerusalem artichokes and plant out garlic, shallots and onion sets. If you like to plan ahead, find out about allotment jobs for April in our seasonal guide.
Ad
- Buy bare-root strawberry runners and fruit bushes from Crocus
- Buy bare-root fruit trees from Crocus and Suttons
- Buy bare-root asparagus crowns from Crocus, Thompson & Morgan and Suttons
- Buy shallots and onion sets from Crocus, Thompson & Morgan and Suttons
- Buy garlic from Crocus, Thompson & Morgan and Suttons
Loading...
Ad
Ad
Don't miss out this Winter
Enjoy expert advice on what to plant and grow this winter, and how to prepare your plot for the year ahead. Enjoy, 6 months for just £31.99
Great gardening savings - straight to your inbox
Sign up to the BBC Gardeners’ World offers newsletter for exclusive deals, seasonal savings, and early access to special promotions.
Loading...
Ad
Loading...
Loading...