The March Garden – What Can You Plant?

March is a time of change in a polytunnel garden. Winter crops may begin to go to seed. You might be coming to the end of your vegetables stores. But spring is in the air, or if its not, finer weather is just around the corner. This is an exciting time. But what exactly can you plant in March?

Though it is still a little early to plant out more tender crops, there is plenty that you can sow and grow in your polytunnel this month. The protection a polytunnel gives can allow you to get started around a month earlier than you would do outside. Towards the end of the month, polytunnel staging might take over from windowsills as your main seedling growing area. You might even begin to sow certain seeds directly into the ground or growing areas of your polytunnel later this month.

Exactly when you sow your seeds will, of course, depend on where you live. Those in the south will generally be able to sow and plant with confidence a little earlier than those in the north. It is always important to think about the last frost date in your area, and to keep an eye on the weather forecast to see what to expect.

But to help you decide what to grow this month, here is a list of some of the more common crops you could consider:

Fruits and Vegetables to Plant in March

Indoors, to be transplanted into your polytunnel later, it is not too late to sow tomatoes, peppers or aubergines early in the month if you have not got round to it already. It is getting a little late, but you may still get a worthwhile crop if you choose short season/ early maturing varieties.

Here are some other top fruits and veg to plant in March in modules or (towards the end of the month), directly into growing areas in your polytunnel in some areas:

• Beetroot

• Broad beans

• Celeriac

• Celery

• Chard

• Early Carrots

• Early Peas

• First Early Potatoes (from later in the month)

• Leeks

• Lettuce

• Onions (planted as sets)

• Pak Choi (and other Asian Greens)

• Parsnips

• Radishes

• Rocket

• Spinach

• Spring Onions

Bear in mind that you could also consider sowing or planting perennial fruits and vegetables in your polytunnel. At the very beginning of the month, you can still consider choosing and planting bare root fruit trees, shrubs and canes in your polytunnel or elsewhere in your garden.

As the month progresses, you could also sow seeds for perennial vegetables in your polytunnel. A number of perennial brassicas and perennial alliums, for example, can be sown in early spring. You can also plant Jerusalem artichoke tubers and asparagus crowds this month.

Herbs to Plant in March

In March, you can also begin to plant a wide range of herbs.

• Start basil off indoors to plant out after all risk of frost has passed.

• Sow parsley, chervil, dill, fennel and other annual herbs in modules, transferring to pots/ containers/ growing areas in your polytunnel when weather begins to warm.

• Sow perennial herbs such as rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano etc. under cover.

Flowers to Plant in March

And don’t forget to sow plenty of flowers to draw in those pollinators and other beneficial wildlife. Flower seeds to sow this month include:

• Summer bedding plants – e.g geraniums, petunias etc. (in a heated propagator).

• Half-hardy annuals in modules/ trays/ containers for planting out in June.

• Sow your sweet peas.

• Wildflower mixes (bee-friendly mixes) straight into the soil.

• Hardy annuals straight into the soil in your polytunnel or elsewhere in your garden.

March and April are both busy months planting-wise. It is a good idea to be organised and start early. Remember, with a polytunnel, it is easier to get started sooner and grow great produce and other plants all year round.

Are your plans in place? Do you know what you are sowing and growing this month? Share your comments, experiences and suggestions below.