The garden's drumroll, the prelude to a symphony of blooms and bounty. As the frost retreats and the first hopeful sunrays of spring dance across the soil, UK gardeners are presented with a blank canvas, a promise of growth. It's time to sow the seeds of tomorrow's splendour. Let's embark on a journey through the packets of potential that should find their way into your soil or propagator this month.
As you tuck these seeds into their soil beds, remember, you're not just planting for the season ahead, but you're laying down the roots for a future filled with beauty, flavour, and joy.
1. Sweet Peas (Lathyrus odoratus)
A Love Letter to Fragrance: Sweet peas are the quintessential cottage garden plant, offering both charm and a heavenly scent. Sow them now under cover for an early start, and dream of the bouquets that will grace your home come summer.2. Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum)
The Taste of Summer: Nothing compares to the taste of a home-grown tomato. Start these culinary treasures indoors, in a warm, bright spot, and you'll be on your way to enjoying the juiciest fruits of your labour.3. Chillies & Bell Peppers (Capsicum spp.)
A Spice of Life: Whether you crave the fiery kick of a chilli or the sweet crunch of a bell pepper, March is your signal to start. These warmth-loving gems need a head start indoors, where they can bask in the warmth.4. Leeks (Allium porrum)
A Staple of the Kitchen Garden: Hardy and dependable, leeks sown now will provide a harvest right through the winter months. Start them in trays under cover before transplanting them into their final positions.
5. Beetroot (Beta vulgaris)
Jewels of the Earth: For those who can't wait to see life sprout, beetroot can be sown directly into well-prepared beds outside. These ruby gems will grow steadily to provide you with both leaves and roots to enjoy.6. Broad Beans (Vicia faba)
The Pioneers of the Veg Plot: Broad beans are robust and ready for action. Direct sow them into the ground now for an early summer harvest. They're practically soldiers in the garden, braving the last chills of spring.7. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
A Salad Lover's Dream: There's a lettuce variety for every taste and situation. Sow under cover for an early crop, and imagine the fresh, crisp salads that will soon be a staple on your table.
8. Hardy Annual Flowers
A Tapestry of Colour: Cornflowers, calendula, and poppies can all be sown directly into the soil now. They'll weave a tapestry of colour through your borders and provide for pollinators too.9. Parsnips (Pastinaca sativa)
A Winter Delight: With a patience that's rewarded tenfold, sow parsnip seeds directly into free-draining soil. These root vegetables will grow throughout the year to become the stars of your winter meals.10. Dahlia (Dahlia spp.)
Drama Queens of the Garden: Start tubers in pots under cover to give them a head start. By late summer, their flamboyant blooms will steal the show in borders and vases alike.As you tuck these seeds into their soil beds, remember, you're not just planting for the season ahead, but you're laying down the roots for a future filled with beauty, flavour, and joy. Each seed is a story waiting to unfold, a promise of what's to come. Happy sowing, fellow UK gardeners! May your gardens grow lush and your hearts fuller with every sprout and bloom.