Seed Addict Subscription – March

Hello Veg Addict

Welcome to your guide for your March ‘veg addict’ seed subscription!

Here’s what’s in your box:

• Tomato Black Cherry
• Sugar Snap Pea Sugar Lace
• Fennel Fino
• Broccoli Early Green Calabrese
• Spinach Monnopa

Tomato Black Cherry

Sowing info

Surface sow seeds in small pots of moist, peat-free compost and just cover. Tomatoes are fast growing plants, so best started in mid to late spring. They need heat to germinate, and benefit from lots of light, so supplement both if necessary. Germination takes place within 1-2 weeks.

Growing info

Once plants reach roughly 20cm in height, start feeding with quarter strength organic feed. Pot on when roots are visible through drainage holes and plant out after last frost. Will require support. Remove side shoots and lower 50% of foliage to maintain straight, healthy plants. Though tomatoes can be grown outside, they will perform better for longer in a polytunnel or greenhouse.

Blog – How to Sow and Grow Tomatoes

Sugar Snap Pea Sugar Lace

Sowing info

If you don’t have a problem with mice, direct sow peas outdoors from March to June. Alternatively, sow seeds in lengths of drainpipe filled with peat free compost. Once plants are around 20 cm tall, they can be slid down the drainpipe into their final position. Cold hardy peas can be overwintered in the drainpipe in the greenhouse before planting out in early spring.

Growing info

Plants will require some support. May require netting if pigeons are a problem for you. Regular harvesting will encourage the plant to continue producing loads of peas. Harvest before peas swell in pods.

Blog – How to Sow and Grow Peas

Fennel Fino

Sowing info

Fennel prefers to mature in cooler conditions so sow early in the season or in mid June for an Autumn harvest. Sow around 5mm deep into peat free compost, will germinate above 10c.

Growing info

Thin seedlings as they grow allowing approximately 20 cm between the plants. Keep well watered to prevent bolting. Bulbs are ready when they’re around 8-10cm wide. Any bulbs left unharvested from July will likely bolt due to day length.

Blog – Nailing Herbs You Can Grow Indoors

Broccoli Early Green Calabrese

Sowing info

Sow in module trays at a depth of 10mm throughout spring and summer for a continual supply . Germination takes around a week. Transplant when large enough to handle, allowing 45cm between plants each way.

Growing info

Keep well watered especially in dry weather. Will benefit from being netted with fine insect mesh due to the higher number of pests present when growing broccoli in summer. Hardest the central head first, then continue to hardens the sprouting side shoots before the flowers open  as they appear.

Spinach Monnopa

Sowing info

Spinach dislikes warm weather so sow in early spring for a harvest before the season warms up,  or best sown  in late summer and autumn for over wintering. Best sown where it is to grow 2cm deep in shallow drills 20cm apart. Germinates best at 15-21c, usually in 7-14 days. Thin seedings to 10cm apart.

Growing info

Keep plants well-watered during dry spells, watch out for slugs, and regularly hoe between rows to suppress weeds. For best results, cover with a tunnel or cloche to protect from winter winds or grow undercover in winter. 45-60 days to maturity.

Garden jobs for this March

• Tidy and top up beds: Gently clear away winter debris and add a generous layer of compost or mulch to feed the soil and lock in moisture for the season ahead.
• Check and fix supports: Give canes, trellis and netting a once-over now, tightening and repairing while it’s still easy to get into the beds.
• Keep on top of weeds: A quick hoe on a dry day makes a big difference in March, stopping weeds before they get comfortable and take over.