His Garden March 2006

The seed bed prepared last month, will be lightly Dutch hoed and raked over.

Leek and Brussels sprouts will be sown early this month, Summer Cabbage and Cauliflower. In drills half an inch deep, 6 or 7 inches apart.

Parsnip, Lettuce and Spring Onions, in drills half an inch deep, 12 inches apart. Also Broad Beans and Peas. For method followed see February 05

The last Cauliflower sown in trays last September, and placed in the Grow house are ready to plant out.

The plants will be planted out 18 inches apart, in rows 2 feet or so apart. I have limited space, so plant rather closely. I have seen 2 feet between rows, 2 feet between plants.

Second early Potatoes will be planted at the end of the month. To prepare the bed, I will fork over the plot and create a reasonable tilth, approx. 12 inches deep, forking in well rotted farmyard manure, or compost, or both. The seed will be planted 6 inches deep, in rows 12 inches apart.

About the middle of the month I will plant onion sets. For preparation of the onion bed, see February 006. The onion sets will be planted, 4 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart. Pressing the bulb half way in to soil. It is advisable to keep an eye on the bed until the bulbs get established, as they are likely to become uprooted. Just press back into place.

This month Climbing Roses can be pruned . The first year after planting, I would prune young shoots back reasonably hard, and shorten long rods by about one third.

Established Climbers, I cut out all week growth, and shorten the tip ends of long rods, and prune out non productive wood.

Sweet Peas can be sown this month. I dig out a trench, twelve inches deep by two feet wide. I fork 6 or 7 inches of well rotted farmyard manure into the bottom of the trench, as I back fill. As the remaining soil is returned to the trench, a little sand would be forked in, and a light dressing of lime applied.

I will lightly fork over beds where green leaves of bulbs are appearing, just loosening the soil around the leaves.

Last month I mentioned preparing a herb bed. Unfortunately, I will not be able to prepare the bed. However, I will mention one or two herbs, that can be added to a herb bed, each month. This month one can sow Chervil. When the seedlings are robust enough, I would thin out to 6 or 7 inches apart.