Rooko's March Top 10 Tryouts & Tips

1. As the cold weather continues into March any seeds being sown outdoors will probably need protecting with cloches or fleece for the time being. When sowing seeds into dry ground or compost in pots or trays it is worth dampening the soil/compost before sowing to stop seeds being easily washed away.

2. If you are still tidying up weedy or overgrown areas of your plot or garden remember some wild plants we class as weeds will attract early bees to them. Bees also need to drink so spare a little water in your garden for them.

3. When the warm weather does finally arrive so will the army of aphids and other pests so now might be a good time to prepare your concoctions to combat them, (hopefully organically). The following plants should also deter aphids. Anise, Chives, Coriander, Garlic, Leeks, Petunias, Onions, Radish.

4. Parsnips can usually be sown between February and May. They don't normally like cold wet ground to germinate, so warming the soil prior to sowing will help germination. Sow thinly in drills 1cm deep with each row about 30cm apart.

5. Most vegetable gardeners are aware that Rhubarb leaves are toxic but did you know that Parsnip seedlings are poisonous.

6. Red dead nettles are very attractive to bees but they can host Potato leaf roll virus and carry Cucumber mosaic virus.

7. Making your own fertilizer from Comfrey will save using chemical fertilizers. Place the harvested plants into a suitable container adding a little water. Leave to rot down when a black liquid will be produced. Water the liquid down to about 15 (water) to (1) black liquid and use freely over your planting areas.

8. If you are growing outdoor Tomatoes this year they will make good companion plants TO, Asparagus, Peppers, Roses. Tomatoes will benefit FROM, Alliums, Basil, Borage, Carrots, Celery, Geraniums, Marigolds, Nasturtiun, Oregano, Parsley and Petunias. Avoid growing near, Beetroot, Brassica, Corn, Dill, Fennel and Potatoes. 

9. Keep checking your water storage containers for leaks (perhaps caused by freezing) or you may find them empty later in the year when the water is needed. 

10. A few jobs for March depending on weather and ground conditions in your area.

SOWING/PLANTING IN MARCH 

1. Any remaining leeks should be lifted now. Pull any remaining parsnips.
2. Plant onions and shallots in mild areas.
3. In mid-March plant out early potatoes.
4. Others to sow this month: Beetroot, Broadbeans, Early Carrots (under cloches), Early Peas, Brussel Sprouts (earlies), Kohl-Rabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Peas, Radish,Parsnips, Turnips.
5. Outdoor cucumber & Tomatoes can be sown now and kept in a greenhouse or propagator.
6. Plant fruit bushes/canes. Plant Summer Cabbages, Cauliflower (under cloches).

OTHER JOBS IN MARCH

1. Prune Apple and Pear trees early in the month.
2. Spread compost around the base of fruit trees/ bushes/canes.
3. Use cloches or fleece to warm up the ground prior to planting later.

                                                                                                                                                               

Hello I'm Back

Many thanks to everyone who sent me their best wishes for my hip operation on Friday January 25th. I managed to escape from hospital on the following Tuesday and I am currently at home recovering (I can't spell convalescing). One of the more pleasant things about being in hospital was the fact that several of my visitors brought gardening magazines with them, for me to read. Most of the magazines contained free packets of seeds. This was a fine bonus and now I only need to purchase some Sweetcorn seeds to complete this years wants list. One amusing thing that I noticed whilst reading the January/February editions of the magazines, was that most of the people in the photographs were gardening, outdoors, wearing Summer clothes and working in glorious sunshine, as if.

One of my friends went down to check out the condition of my plots last week and said that the ground conditions were still too wet to achieve any positive work on them. I finally managed a visit to the plots myself last evening, again to check things out. I was pleasantly surprised to see that there were no weeds at all, growing in the prepared areas of either plot. Apart from the fact that my Cabbages had suffered from attacks by slugs and snails all was well. The soil had dried out considerably since last week, due to the recent cold, breezy weather of late. The recent heavy frosts had also broken down the soils surface considerably too. I checked over my sheds and inspected my stored seeds for any signs of decay. In general the allotments were looking bleak and windswept, with only 1 other person there, walking their dog. About a dozen plots (out of 119) were looking well tended and had been dug or rotavated during the past week. It was too cold to spend much time there so I lurched back to the car on my crutches, turned up the heater and was driven home.

Due to my operation and the time needed to recover, I had decided not to sow early seeds into pots and trays this year, thinking that sowing direct would save time and effort. I am now re-thinking this as I believe that this current cold spell will last well into March. I haven't spent much time at my computer lately so I am looking forward to reading up on the gardening blogs next week.

I hope the following may be of use to my readers:

1. Hozelock have 2 offers at the moment (Chelsea Flower Show Tickets) and A Flexible Hose.
THIS IS THE LINK

2. (U.S.A. except Florida) Organic Gardening magazine are giving away free seeds (with subscriptions).
THIS IS THE LINK

A New Sign for My Allotment

There's always tomorrow!!

Rooko's February Top 10 Tryouts & Tips

1. I've put this tip at No1 because I think this year is going to be a real battle against slugs & snails here in UK. Keep a container of salt at hand when you are out in the garden or down the plot. Cooking salt is probably better than table salt. Carry a salt shaker in your pocket and sprinkle any slugs/snails you see with the salt.

2. Although the weather in my area is still very wet it is also very mild. Some seeds that can be planted directly outside this month are: Broad beans, (Peas under cloches beware of very wet ground and vermin), Lettuce and other salad crops (under polythene cloches), Carrots, Chicory, Radishes, Spring onions & Beetroot can all be sown under cloches. Raspberry canes, Blackberries, Strawberry plants & Rhubarb crowns can be planted outside now, unless the ground is frozen or waterlogged.

3. Shallot sets can be planted this month (not into waterlogged soil). The planting area should have been manured/composted in the Autumn. Rake over the planting area removing any weeds. Add some general purpose fertilizer and plant in rows 30 to 40cm apart with a space of 20cm between each set.

4. Planting areas can still be covered with dark polythene sheeting or cardboard sheets. This will help to warm the soil earlier and also prevent nutrients being washed away by further rain.

5. If you are planning to plant fruit trees this year, ensure they are planted before March, again do not plant them into waterlogged or frozen soil.

6. The majority of Beetroot seeds consist of a cluster of several seeds. Some monogerm varieties are available. If you sow these varieties then less thinning is needed.

7.  The following can be pruned in February, Apple, Blackberry, Loganberry, Buddleja davidii, Clematis (Summer flowering), Currant (black red white), Fig, Fuchsia (hardy), Gooseberry, Honeysuckle, Hydrangea, Lilac, Raspberry, Some Roses.

8. Check the Ph of your soil this month so that you know whether it is too acid, alkeline or it is balanced.

9. Top up your pots tubs and planters with fresh compost this month.

10. Keep checking your stored vegetables for any signs of decay, rot or mould.