Certain seeds can be planted this month, ready to be picked in summer (Image: Getty)
After a seemingly endless winter, the days are finally getting longer, lighter and warmer – spring is on its way. This is always excellent news for gardeners, as it means your beloved outdoor space is finally starting to come alive again.
And if you’re keen to plant some seeds, then there a few vegetables that will thrive in the summer time if they’re planted in March. That’s according to gardening expert Craig from Gardeners Dream who has lifted the lid on what to plant, and when. He says following a ‘planting calendar’ can really help you get the most out of your outdoor space, and has named the six key vegetables that everyone should sow now.
Beetroots are the perfect vegetable to plant in March (Image: Getty)
Beetroot
According to Craig, beetroot is perfect for planting in March or April when the weather starts to heat up. The plants don’t take up much space, especially when they are harvested young, so they’re perfect if you don’t have a lot of space according to the RHS.
Even better, they can be ready in as little as 40 days, meaning it won’t be long before you can harvest and eat your delicious homegrown beetroot.
Carrots
Another root vegetable that you can plant in March is the humble carrot. They might look a bit different to the ones you buy at the supermarket but they are supposedly even better and much sweeter to the taste.
Carrots enjoy sun and light well-drained soil, and are drought resistant, so they will rarely need watering unless grown in containers.
Baby carrots can be harvested in four to six weeks, while larger carrots usually take three months or more.
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Lettuce can be planted now and harvested in summer (Image: Getty)
Lettuce
Lettuce is fairly quick and easy to grow, and the seeds are best planted in mid to late March. They also don’t take up a lot of space, so ideal for small gardens or even balconies or patios.
They are best sown regularly in small batches, and a single packet of seeds can keep you going all the way through summer. You can plant them inside and move them outdoors after the last frost, and there are so many interesting varieties and colours to choose from.
Spinach
This salad staple is also very compact and speedy to grow. Planting in mid to late March is ideal, as they can even be grown in light shade.
Similar to lettuce, you can plant little and often to enjoy spinach all year round. However, it needs fertile soil that doesn’t dry out, so mild temperatures during spring are best.
Mustard
Mustard seeds are one of the key ingredients in the popular condiment, and growing your own at home is so easy. According to the experts at Garden Focused, mustard will grow in just about any soil without any problems.
It’s great for planting in spring as it’s a cool weather crop, but it does prefer a full sun or light partial shade position. You can expect these pretty plants to grow to about 60cm high.
Corn salad
Corn salad, also known as Lamb’s Lettuce, is the final vegetable that Craig has recommeded sowing in March. You can sow direct into the soil from early spring onwards.
It needs a well-draining soil in a sunny location, and a temperature of between 10°C and 20°C to germinate. They will be ready to pick in around 40-70 days, but don’t keep it in the ground for too long, as this will cause the leaves to become stringy and bitter.