March outdoor sowings

[cazp]

Many of the vegetables I plan to grow say on their packets that it is ok to sow outdoors in March - these are the ones in my plan:-

Beetroots (Boltardy and Burpee Golden)
Lettuce (Salad Bowl)
Spring onion (White Lisbon)
Peas (Twinkle)
Mange Tout (Oregon Sugar Pod)
Cabbage (Hispi)
Celery (Celebrity)
Carrots (Amsterdam Forcing)

Is anyone else on the forum sowing any of these now? is it a good idea or too early?

My beds are covered with a heavy duty enviromesh cloche cover. I planned to lay a fleece cover over the plants when threats of frost arise.

[Matt94]

yes all of the above should be fine to go in now!

[Kaiya]

My Cabbage Hispi went into modules last weekend - I haven't sown anything this weekend as temps are down this week, but will probably start sowing some of those in the allotment if next weekend looks better!

[cazp]

My Cabbage Hispi went into modules last weekend - I haven't sown anything this weekend as temps are down this week, but will probably start sowing some of those in the allotment if next weekend looks better!

When you say modules - are you sowing in to those little peat pots, then transferring outside next week?

[rustylady]

I don't use peat pots or pellets - can't get on with them. I use multi-celled trays filled with MCP. Examples here Multi-Cell Plant Trays brought to you by The Garden Superstore. You can buy this sort of thing from Wilkos, garden centres, pound shops etc.

[di]

I sowed my first little row of carrots a couple of weeks ago. By chance, I bought something wrapped in a couple of strips of bubblewrap...I've placed it over the row and held down with stones. Don't know if it's a good idea or necessary, but if you don't try these things....

I've also sown some beetroot and spinach (as per Gertrud's instruction) , a little concerned about the spinach as we're due a cold snap, maybe snow. Not sure how hardy it is?

[cazp]

It says on the Perpetual Spinach packet I have that it is ideal for autumn and winter cropping... and also says can be sown under cloches for eary spring crops... so I assume it doesnt mind a bit of cold?

[pauco]

It says on the Perpetual Spinach packet I have that it is ideal for autumn and winter cropping... and also says can be sown under cloches for eary spring crops... so I assume it doesnt mind a bit of cold?

As long as we dont get another big freeze they will be fine under cloches.


paul.

[piskieinboots]

I sowed salad leaves outside last weekend, they are already germinated - likewise the pea shoots I sowed in the (unheated) greenhouse are also through.

Warms the cockles doesn't it

[mudpies]

Peas, beetroot, spring onion, carrot and speedy leaves all popping their heads up in the polytunnel. Am hoping to sow spinach, peas and beetroot outside next weekend weather permitting.
Indeed Suzie, it certainly gives a warm glow...just hoping that isn't followed by a cold slap!

[cazp]

Do you think enviromesh cloches will assist things along- with the addition of a bit of fleece layed over the plants if there is a hard frost?

The reason I am using the enviromesh cloches is to keep cats off and to create a little more warmth.

[ladylottie]

It says on the Perpetual Spinach packet I have that it is ideal for autumn and winter cropping... and also says can be sown under cloches for eary spring crops... so I assume it doesnt mind a bit of cold?

Amazingly my Perpetual Spinach has been cropping all through the winter! (Didn't intend leaving it in). I thought it was dying off at one point when we had frost and snow, but all the plants (about 10) have made a great recovery and are starting to shoot again.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Just be a little careful there is a downturn in the weather forecast. I think we can be pretty sure it won't be to bad so things under cover shouldn't have a problem. But very young seedlings outside may sucumb.
Colin

[rustylady]

Do you think enviromesh cloches will assist things along- with the addition of a bit of fleece layed over the plants if there is a hard frost?

The reason I am using the enviromesh cloches is to keep cats off and to create a little more warmth.

You shouldn't need fleece as well as the cloches.

[VirginVegGrower]

Just be a little careful there is a downturn in the weather forecast. I think we can be pretty sure it won't be to bad so things under cover shouldn't have a problem. But very young seedlings outside may sucumb.
Colin

Set to snow middle of this week. We drove through twenty minutes of sleet today. I am holding off direct sowing for the moment.