Gardening: The plot thickens this March

In the Garden 

The first week in March represents the first official recognition that spring has arrived. We've had a few enticing days that also tell us the natural world is waking up too. 

Given the temperate nature of our climate here we can prune roses a few weeks earlier than the rest of the country. They need to be pruned whilst still dormant and ours will have woken up by the end of the month. Tea roses can be left until the first week in April. Being more tender than their hybrid cousins, their new shoots are highly vulnerable to frosts. 

Everyone is keen to start the mower after sharpening the blades and this is no bad thing when the grass is dry. The spring lawn regime can now commence. Mowing on a higher setting will pick up surplus leaves and allow light to get at the roots. 

One thing you will notice, is that due to the extreme wet weather we’ve had the moss has multiplied and needs a tined rake criss-crossing over it by way of disruption. I've done this after mowing as you can see it more clearly and then go over the raked area with the mower to hoover up the dead moss. This can be saved and used to line hanging baskets. 

If you’re looking for an achievable and quick project you could do worse than create a herb garden by sacrificing part of the bottom lawn. Lay a square cross pattern of brick path to make the beds and find a large ornamental stone for the centre. 

Around this you can plant hyssop, chives, fennel and lovage. Lavender can be planted around the perimeter as a hedge. Different mint varieties can go in pots in each corner. Basil and Thai basil can be grown in pots and left there in summer. Thyme and rosemary are taller and can go at the back protecting sage and marjoram. Many of these can be sown under glass from seed now. Plants you might use regularly like tarragon and parsley will cut and come again. 

If you don’t like the idea of this then just plant the herbs and put them in pots near the back door. 

On the Plot 

Tomatoes need to be planted from seed now, six weeks before the last frost date. If you don’t have a greenhouse then a sunny windowsill or a clear plastic storage box works just as well. 

By the time they are mature, outdoor varieties can be planted outside and you’ll have the house back. Many growers decide on the same varieties every single year. Others grow three or four different varieties every year by way of experimentation. 

It’s important to choose one of the two main types. These are determinate (bush varieties) and indeterminate varieties. Determinate plants don’t need the side shoots pinching out but produce their crop all at once so you'll need to plant them in succession. All this information makes them ideal for a greenhouse were space is at a premium. 

Indeterminate varieties can run away with themselves and need their tops and side shoots pinching off. They will give you a much bigger crop but require more space and effort. Cherry and plum tomatoes are great indeterminate plants but you need to keep them in check which is not too onerous. 

Given that there are thousands of specific varieties of tomato then its worth growing from seed for the excitement and taste you get. You could of course buy established plants and bring them on but your choice is limited. Ive found the tastiest tomatoes are often found away from the mainstream. 

Plant them in small pots so they can spread their roots and grow to a size where transplanting is minimum. Don’t forget to label them as nothing is more frustrating than finding an ideal fruit and not knowing its name.