March is a month that heralds the start of spring, the days lengthen and there is warmth in the sun, but don’t be caught out by frosty nights, so keep the fleece handy!
Seed sowing is underway here at Green Farm, many varieties of salad crops, tomatoes, cucumbers, broad beans, spinach, herbs, wild flowers and perennials to name but a few. I sow inside during March & April as my nursery is quite high up and therefore not sheltered from cold winds.
Still too early for the vegetable plot but I have started the onion sets off indoors so they have a good root system for when the soil has warmed and is workable.
My stall at both Bakewell & Wirksworth Farmers’ Markets returned in late February and early March after a winter layoff, my next stall will have plenty of herbs, vegetable plants, wild flowers and perennials.
Weeds will start to show in borders now, so if the soil is workable work it before the weeds take control. It is also time to prune roses and shrubs such as Cornus, apply an organic feed around their base to encourage strong growth during the month ahead.