Which seeds to sow in March

This month, the real gardener starts to get excited because it means that spring will soon arrive! But before you start gardening, it is important to make a plan, taking into account what was grown in the vegetable garden last year. The four-year rotation, or crop rotation, is widely known among (organic) gardeners. This means that you divide your garden into four imaginary compartments to call them: leafy vegetables, tuberous and root crops, legumes and cucurbits/tomatoes/aubergines.

Strawberries

If well cared for, strawberry seeds can produce wonderful fruit. In hot summers, you have to be very careful! Strawberry seeds need light, well-tilled soil rich in humus. It is difficult to grow strawberries in heavy limestone soils, such as in wine-growing areas. It is advisable to water the strawberry plants - which are preferably planted in rows - every morning and try to avoid watering the strawberries themselves. Regular addition of artificial fertiliser (especially for strawberries) promotes good fruiting and development. Strawberry plants  are planted in March and September. The plants can remain in the same place for two years, because they tire out the soil. Weak runners should be removed, but strong runners that are close to the mother plant can be used to grow new plants.

Radish

Radish seeds like rich, solid soil that holds water well. Round radishes should be sown on the surface and long radishes 2 to 3 cm into the soil. Sow a small amount every two to three weeks, preferably in rows, which makes thinning easier. It is already possible to sow radish seeds in February under a plastic tunnel, but from March onwards you can sow them in the open ground. In dry weather, radishes often suffer from ground fleas that make small holes in the leaves. Spraying will help you to get rid of these animals.

Sowing indoors

Indoors you can start sowing the seeds of crops that can also be grown in the open ground (later), such as aubergine, cucumber, courgette and melon seeds. You can also grow tomato seeds indoors or in a heated greenhouse. The Marmande Tomato is an early variety that is perfect for cultivation in March, and for late harvesting you choose for example the Beefheart Tomato.
Those who grew artichokes last year can now start cutting the plants and transplanting them.

Sowing in the open ground

At the beginning of the month, you can sow in the open ground in warm regions. Start with carrot seeds, early spinach, peas (first the wrinkled seeds and later the round ones), radish and parsley. If you sow cauliflower seeds now, you can transplant the small plants at the end of the month. The same applies to broccoli seeds and red cabbage seeds. You can also start sowing kale. The crops are very susceptible to lice, so they need to be watched closely, watered well and harvested on time. This variety is perfect for freezing! You can also sow kohlrabi, celery, leaf lettuce, savory and scorzonera seeds. Be careful not to sow cucumber seeds next to melon seeds.

And don't forget the asparagus! They should be planted this month. Depending on the species, it will take two or three years before the stems can be harvested. The plants should be placed in a trench about 30 cm deep, making sure that they are planted correctly (shoots up); at a distance of 70 cm.

Herbs

This month, parsley and basil seeds can be sown in loose soil, which should be well moistened. Chives can also be sown in warmer regions.