His Garden Tips For March 2005

This month I will be planting Jerusalem Artichokes. The tubers will be planted in the bed prepared last month .One usually plant in rows 6 inches deep 2 feet apart 3 feet between rows.

At the end of this month, or early in April. I will sow Basil in trays in soil mixed with all purpose compost approx. 25 percent soil 75 percent compost. Place the trays in the Grow House, or on a windowsill. If the lady of house agrees. Temperature as near 60 degrees as possible. As soon as the plants appear, I will put the Trays out side for a while each day, in a sheltered spot to harden off  Leaving them out longer each day. A warm part of the garden will be reserved for planting out.  I will mention planting out on this site later.

Broad beans sown last Autumn.

In February, I said that I would sow Peas and Broad Beans. The soil was too wet. The job will be attended to this month, if the soil is not too wet. See February for method followed.

The Asparagus bed will be weeded.A dressing of 6 lb common salt, 2 lb sulphate of potash 3 lb nitrate of soda and 3lb of superphosphate. Thoroughly mixed will be applied , at a rate of 3 ounces to the square yard, towards the end of this month.

Early this month , I will prepare a seedbed , creating a fine deep tilth, ready for , Brussels Sprouts, Leeks, Spinach Beet, Parsnip, and Summer Cabbage. All to be sown  early in April. In rows far enough apart allowing room to use a Dutch hoe.

The second early potatoes , will be in trays , allowing the growth of chits, ready for planting out in April.

I will plant my onion sets early this month. See February for preparation of bed . However, the bulbs will be planted approx . 4 inches apart , in rows 12 inches apart . Pressing the bulbs halfway into the bed. If the bulbs are uprooted, just press them back into the soil. Blackberries are usually pruned in the autumn. However, I am pruning wild Blackberries this month, and expect reasonable results. The results, will be on this sight.

When pruning Blackberries, cultivated or wild. I cut out all week , dead and old wood, that appears to be unproductive . By unproductive, I mean wood with few or no buds. Old wood is usually dark in colour and tough. New wood usually green , and supple . It will be noticed that bushes are against a fence , to which I will tie the briars.

If you have any Gardening Queries or wish for any advice directly concerning your garden, then please send a stamped, addressed envelope, together with a cheque or postal order made for £5.50 made out to A. Corbin to –

Five Chimneys

Pilley Street

Pilley

Lymington, Hampshire SO41 5QG

United Kingdom
 

Any unanswered queries will have their cheques/postal orders returned