March 2021

Gardeners often refer to their crops as ‘winter’ or ‘summer’ crops but the reality is, the sowing of these crops is more often than not done in the preceding season which ensures maximum growth before the hot or cold weather settles in. With Autumn having officially arrived and the weather still remaining warm, March and April is the optimal time to get seed sown, germinated and thriving for traditional winter crops such as broccoli, cauliflower, peas and kale. For many growers, March and April will be as busy as the spring planting season.

White or cabbage moth will continue to be an annoyance for those growing members of the brassica family – think varieties of broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and kale. Until the weather cools or the first frosts occur, continue to monitor seedlings daily for egg or caterpillar activity and remove as necessary. For best results and to save yourself time, cover your crops with insect exclusion netting.

Broccoli is a real favourite here at Farmhouse Seeds and is such an easy and tasty vegetable to grow. If you want larger heads, Calabrese is a great variety, or for an ongoing supply of smaller broccolini type shoots, Green Sprouting is a must. For strong healthy plants, sow seed into trays and once your seedlings have their second set of leaves, on pot for 2-3 weeks before planting out. When on-potting, plant a 1/3 deeper than the previous soil level, similar to tomatoes, broccoli will develop extra roots along the buried stem and give you stronger and healthier plants.

Peas can be sown in cool and temperate zones, sow into well composted and freely draining soil. An initial sowing now along with a further one or two in the coming weeks will ensure a continued harvest. Podded peas do freeze well so If you have space why not sow a large crop and freeze for later use.

Sow lettuce seeds in all but the most tropical of locations in March. Lettuce will thrive in the cooler Autumn weather and bolting will be much less of a threat. Lettuce can be sown directly and thinned as required however slugs, snails and birds all love to feast on the baby seedlings and for this reason we sow in punnets and plant out once the plants are a little more established. For quick growth sow into well composted, fertilised soil.

Tropical Gardeners continue to sow Eggplants this month. Eggplants are hungry feeders, plant into well composted soil and feed regularly with pellatised chicken manure or a liquid fish emulsion. Pick regularly to encourage more fruit.

With the dry season on the horizon it is a good idea for those in the tropics to start planning and preparing beds for crops that cannot be grown in the humidity of the wet season such as Zucchini, Lettuce, Cucumbers and tomato.

For more information on growing from seed check out our seed blog, packed full of useful information for getting the most of our your seeds.

Happy Gardening!!

Vegetable, herb and flower seeds to plant in March

In Cool Climates

• Asian Greens – Sow direct
• Beetroot – Sow direct
• Broccoli – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (CM) (HS)
• Cabbage – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (CM)
• Cauliflower – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (CM) (HS)
• Carrot – Sow direct
• Kale – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (CM) (HS)
• Kohlrabi – Sow direct (CM)
• Lettuce – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (HS)
• Leek – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Mustard Greens – Sow direct
• Onion – Sow direct or in punnets
• Radish – Sow direct
• Rhubarb – Plant out seedlings*
• Rocket – Sow direct (HS)
• Silverbeet – Sow direct in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Spinach  – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (HS)
• Swede – Sow direct
• Turnip – Sow direct
• Herbs – Chives,Coriander, – Sow direct
• Pollinating flowers – Sweet Alyssum,Sweet pea – Sow direct

HS – Heat sensitive, protect from afternoon sun.

CM – Protection from Cabbage moth will be required.

In Temperate Climates

• Asian Greens – Sow direct
• Beetroot – Sow direct
• Broccoli – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (CM) (HS)
• Cabbage – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (CM)
• Carrots – Sow direct
• Cauliflower – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Kohlrabi – Sow direct (CM) (HS)
• Lettuce – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (HS)
• Leek – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Mizuna – Sow direct (HS)
• Mustard Greens – Sow direct
• Onion – Sow direct or in punnets
• Radish – Sow direct
• Rocket – Sow direct (HS)
• Rhubarb – Plant out seedlings*
• Silverbeet – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (HS)
• Spinach – Sow direct,  in punnets or plant out seedlings (HS)
• Swede – Sow direct
• Turnip – Sow direct
• Herbs – Chives –  Sow direct*, Basil,Coriander- Sow direct or in punnets*
• Pollinating flowers –  Sweet Alyssum*, Sweet pea

HS – Heat sensitive, protect from afternoon sun.

CM – Protection from Cabbage moth will be required.

* Last chance to plant or sow

In Hot/Arid Climates

• Asian Greens – Sow direct (HS)
• Broccoli – Sow direct or in punnets (CM) (HS)
• Cabbage – Sow direct or in punnets (CM) (HS)
• Cauliflower – Sow direct or in punnets (CM) (HS)
• Carrots – Sow direct
• Kohlrabi – Sow direct (CM)
• Leeks – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Mustard Greens – Sow direct (HS)
• Onion – Sow direct or in punnets
• Radish – Sow direct
• Swede – Sow direct
• Herbs – Chives sow direct, Basil plant out seedlings*
• Pollinating flowers  – Sweet Alyssum, Sweet pea or sow direct or plant out seedlings.

HS – Heat sensitive, protect from afternoon sun.

CM – Protection from Cabbage moth will be required.

* Last chance to plant or sow

In Tropical Climates

• Asian Greens – Sow direct
• Beans (Snake only) – Sow direct
• Capsicum – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Chilli – Sow in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Corn – Sow direct
• Eggplant – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Luffa – Sow direct
• Mustard Greens – Sow direct
• Mizuna – Sow direct
• Okra – Sow direct
• Radish – Sow direct
• Rosella – Sow direct
• Malabar Spinach – Sow direct
• Herbs –  Basil and can be sown direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings and Thyme – plant out seedlings
• Pollinating Flowers  –  Marigolds or Zinnia sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings. Sunflower or Calendula – Sow direct

* Last chance to plant or sow