His Garden for March 2007

This month I will sow most main crop vegetables, in a seed bed prepared on ground that had a dressing of manure last year. Providing it is not wet and cold, and a reasonable seed bed can be created.

The seed will be sown drills approx. half an inch deep. Leaving 8 or 9 inches between rows, making sure that a Dutch Hoe can be used.

Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage and Brussels Sprouts. The plants should be ready to trans plant, in May or June.

Another line of Broad Beans at the end of this month. For method followed, please see January 007.

Carrots, Leeks, Parsnip , Swede, Spinach, and Turnip can be sown this month. In drills approx. half an inch deep, in rows 8 or10 inches apart.

I will plant a row of early potatoes early this month, in drills 5 or 6 inches deep, spacing the potatoes 8 or 9 inches apart, leaving approx. 24 inches between rows.

Carrots prefer a fine seed bed. I will thin the seedlings out to approx.2 inches apart. As the roots become large enough to use the kitchen, or in salads. I will eventually thin out leaving 5 or 6 inches between plants.

Parsinp , as with Carrots, do better in a fine seed bed. Both prefer loamy soil, though I have had reasonable results, in heavier soils.

The seed will be in drills half an inch deep. Three seed to station, 6 or 8 inches between each station. Thinning out the weakest, leaving the strongest. Spacing the rows 12 to 14 inches asunder. Though parsnip do not take kindly, to transplanting, I have had reasonable success.

Leeks will be sown thinly in a well prepared seed bed. In drills approx. half an inch deep, leaving 8 or 9 inches between rows. I will mention thinning out, and transplanting in April and May.

Perpetual Spinach, will be sown thinly in a well prepared seed bed. In drills 1 inch deep, leaving 10 or 12 inches between rows. Thinning the plants out, to 5 or 6 inches apart.

Swede will be sown in a well prepared seed bed. In drills half an inch deep, leaving 15 or 16 inches between rows. Thinning the plants out, to 8 or 9 inches apart.

I will not sow Turnip, until the end of this month, or early next. The seed will be sown, in drills half an inch deep, leaving 10 or 12 inches between rows. Thinning the plants out, to 8 or 9 inches apart.

The onion sets will be planted early this month. I have found that a reasonable tilth is sufficient.

The sets will be planted 4 or 5 inches apart, pressing the sets approx. half way into the bed. Should one require more than one row, I would leave 12 inches between rows.

Planting out Spring Cabbage plants, potted up November 2006 and placed in the Grow House.

As Spring approaches, the weeds are begging to appear in the Shrubbery. To commence Dutch Hoeing and lightly forking over with a short three grained prong, will halt their progress.

A herb that can be sown this Month, is Chervil. Sow in drills no more than an eight of inch deep. Thinning out to 6 or 7 inches apart.