Tales From The Plot March
March is the time when everything starts to get going. I usually have a mental plan in my head for the year to come as to where everything is going to go – usually that plan goes out the window within a few short weeks lol!
There’s a lot that can be planted that is frost resistant: broad beans are set direct into the ground, mine are already in and just showing their faces above the soil, I saved some seed from last year and it’s a good feeling because anything I get from them I feel like they’re free … they will need protecting while they are so young and tender.
Peas will be set this month, also sown direct into the ground, some plot holders start them off in a greenhouse in guttering which just doesn’t seem practical for me however I learnt last year they will also need protection from both birds and insects, I lost the lot last year so lesson learned.
I will also set some carrot seeds in this month, I grow them in tubs in an attempt to keep the carrot fly away, whilst this is usually quite successful it’s not 100% guaranteed, I believe covering with micromesh is probably the way forward. I grow a variety called sweet candle: I can’t recommend them enough, and as the name suggests they are deliciously sweet.
I normally have quite a lot of seedlings sown in and on the way by now, I’ve always started them off in our spare room windowsill. However things will be a little later this year – the spare room after redecorating is now a dressing room, and any mention of the windowsill being a nursery has been frowned upon! Now seeds will have to be set in a unheated greenhouse which I think will move them back by about six weeks…it is what it is, we have to make the most of what we got.
The good thing about this time of the year, if you’ve done the job right the plot is tidy and pretty much weed free, just regular hoeing will hopefully keep it that way, do not fall into the trap that most plot holders fall into – March is not the month to plant potatoes in the open. You can start some off undercover protected from ‘Jackfrost’ I know how tempting it can be to get them in, however patience is indeed a virtue!
Here are some dates for your diary:
Syston Allotments AGM: Thursday 1st May
Plant Sale: (usually in the Town Square but look out for poster): Saturday 24th May
Open Day: Saturday 16th August
Richard Thorpe 15b Syston Allotments
