March Allotment Jobs

What’s Possible in March - Allotment Overview

The average morning temperature in the UK during March is between 8°C and 12°C, while nighttime temperatures can dip as low as 2°C and 5°C. The southern part of the country is generally warmer, and on average you will experience about 5 hours of sun.

However, weather conditions can be unpredictable. It might be sunny one day, and then suddenly, the next day may be overcast. Don’t forget to check the weather app before heading to your allotment.

There will be plenty to do, including some of the jobs from January and February if weather or life has kept you from working on your allotment.

You will likely be thinking about what to sow in March and what vegetables to grow in March. While many crops can be sown directly, some may still need protection. If you’re growing in a cooler region, it might be simply too early for your location. Using cloches at this stage can help you give young plants a stronger start.

If you’re wondering what to plant in March, it is a good time to set Asparagus crowns in their permanent home.

Later in the month, you can plant out your chitted early crops of potatoes.
If you’re wondering what to sow in March, you can sow indoors using seed trays and propagators. Keep them in a bright, warm spot until they’re ready to be hardened off, repotted, or planted out. 

By now, your windowsills are probably filled with seed trays and spilt compost. As your indoor space fills up, you can begin moving some seedlings into a greenhouse or a polytunnel, providing they are warm enough. It’s also a good idea to use heated propagators where needed to ensure they stay warm enough for healthy growth. Meanwhile, you can still plant fruit trees and prune those that are still dormant.

As March progresses, brighter and drier days should become more frequent, and spring should start to become more noticeable. Many growers will now be thinking about what bulbs to grow in March.

Early flower bulbs should be pushing through, but as new growth appears, so do the weeds, so stay on top of them.

Try to finish any remaining maintenance jobs and continue preparing your beds for the months ahead. Things will only get busier from here, so planning for planting out next month (where your local weather allows) will make a big difference.

The last of the parsnips and leeks should be lifted now, along with any remaining sprouts. With luck, you will still have some cauliflower to harvest, as well as kale, swede, chard, and maybe some spinach.

March Allotment Jobs Checklist

Many first-time growers might get overwhelmed by all the work they will face this month, while more seasoned allotment growers are prepared with the fruits and vegetables to grow in March. However meticulous preparation during winter will help you feel more in control of your early-spring sowing schedule.

As you plan what to grow in March, here are some helpful tasks to guide your allotment work:

Sow Hardy Veg Outdoors When Soil is Workable

Workable soil is soil that easily crumbles in your hand with little or no pressure, and doesn’t stick to your palm like clay. The former indicates frozen soil, while the latter indicates wet soil. Neither condition is suitable for sowing.

Depending on your microclimate, you can sow some hardy vegetables outdoors, such as broad beans, peas, spinach, spring onions, and hardy salad leaves.

However, before you sow outdoors, it’s helpful to warm the ground by covering it with a cloche. This raises the soil temperature and gives young seedlings or plug plants a better chance to survive. Some of the best plants to grow in March directly outdoors include parsnips (which need a long growing season), as well as carrots and beetroot (which can be started in late March).

For plants that were started earlier, harden them off by keeping them outdoors and covering them with a cloche or fleece at night.

Plant First Early Potatoes

After chitting potatoes in January and February, March is the time to plant them outdoors. For anyone wondering what to sow in March, early potato varieties such as ‘Rocket’ or ‘Swift’ are a great place to start.

Dig about 10-15cm deep and plant the chitted potatoes, and keep them covered at night to protect from any late frost.

Start Tomatoes, Peppers, and Courgettes Indoors

With unpredictable weather, you cannot rely on being outdoors all the time. Some of the best plants to plant in March begin indoors, such as tomatoes, peppers, brassicas, and courgettes.

Plant them in seed trays or small containers and keep them on a sunny windowsill or in a heated propagator at around 18°C to 21°C. These crops have long growing periods, so starting them early gives them a valuable head start.

Enrich the Soil with Compost and Mulch

As the soil begins to defrost, it’s the ideal moment to enrich it with compost and mulch for the growing season. Clear any remaining vegetation and weeds that may have emerged as the temperature rose.

Cover the soil with well-rotted manure or compost and rake it in. Adding mulch will help keep the weeds in check and retain moisture during the dry months.

Protect Plants from Pest and Pigeons

Slugs and snails thrive during warm and wet weather, so start treating your beds to keep them at bay. You can scatter homemade deterrents (like broken eggshells) on the soil to keep your plants protected from pests.

You can also protect your vulnerable seedlings from birds with netting and mesh. Simple deterrents like scarecrows, plastic bottles on canes, or other recycled items can also help keep the birds away from your plants.

Brassicas in particular have tender leaves that pigeons love, so make sure you cover them with nets or mesh to prevent damage.

March Calendar for Allotment Growers

␧March 1st-10th: Sow parsnips, onions, and peas outdoors

␧March 11th-20th: Plant early potatoes, start brassicas indoors

␧March 21st-31st: Sow carrots, beetroot, and spinach outdoors

What to Sow vs What to Plant Now

March is the perfect time to put winter preparation into action. Depending on your region’s microclimate and the crop you’re cultivating, you’ll have opportunities to sow indoors and plant outdoors.

Here are some of the best plants to sow indoors or under cover:

• Tomatoes
• Peppers
• Cucumbers
• Celery
• Lettuce
• Brassicas (cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli)
• Beetroot
• Herbs such as parsley, coriander and basil

You can start these seeds indoors or keep them protected under cover using a horticulture cloche and fleece. In colder regions, grow lights, heated propagators, or polytunnels may be particularly useful.

Here are some of the best plants to plant in March outdoors in regions where the soil has thawed and the chances of frost have greatly reduced (though nighttime protection is still encouraged):

• Parsnips
• Peas
• Spinach 
• Spring onions
• Broad beans
• Salad leaves
• Leeks
• Spring cabbage

It is important to harden off these plants before planting them outdoors. If you’re buying plug plants, ensure they’re compatible with local conditions and soil type.

Growing in Containers, Small Spaces, and Indoors

At Allotment Online, we understand how unpredictable March weather can be, which often makes direct outdoor sowing a challenge. For first-time growers, finding a space in a council-owned allotment can be tough, especially with a new growing season approaching. Even so, limited space or unpredictable weather shouldn’t hold back your enthusiasm for growing.

Here are some plants to grow in March indoors or in containers:

• Start with the early potato varieties in tubs, and keep them indoors until the weather improves.
• Salad leaves grow well in small containers or seed trays and can be kept on sunny windowsills.
• Herbs like parsley, basil, and coriander thrive in troughs or small pots placed in a bright spot indoors.
• Radishes and spring onions can also be started in growing boxes.

This is the best time to review what bulbs to plant in March. Some popular flowers to grow in spring indoors include:

• Lilies
• Calendula
• Poppies
• Dahlia
• Magnolias
• Bergenia

Precautions for Container and Indoor Growing in March

• Protect plants from sudden temperature dips at night and monitor indoor conditions closely. You can use heated propagators or bubble wrap to keep the containers warm.
• Place the containers in south-facing spots to ensure adequate light exposure. Try not to start too early in March, as natural light is still limited. A grow light will help prevent plants from becoming too leggy.
• Avoid overwatering, as container-grown plants are more prone to waterlogging.
• Take 7-10 days to gradually harden off plants before transplanting them outdoors.

Our March Grow-Your-Own Starter Kit

While the year may have started in January, for allotment growers, the new growing season begins in March. Whether you’ve taken up allotment growing as a new hobby or are a seasoned grower, our Grow-Your-Own-Started Kit will come in handy.

Here’s everything you will need to get started from March and not miss out on anything:

• Buy seed trays, labels, and compost
• Keep cloches and fleece handy for protecting plants during the night
• Use a propagator or a heat mat to ensure optimal temperature indoors
• Start planting onion sets and potatoes outdoors
• Net the young brassicas and fruit trees to protect them from pests and birds
• Prepare your soil by digging in manure and mulch
• Buy plug plants and seeds you want to grow
• Plan your plot based on crop rotation and companion planting goals

Common Problems and How to Avoid Them

While knowing the best plants to plant in March is a good idea, it is just as important to understand the common challenges of early-spring growing and how to combat them.

Frost and Unpredictable Weather

March weather varies across the UK. While the southern areas are generally warmer, frost can still occur at any time, especially during the night or early morning.

Avoid planting outdoors in early March. Later in the month, begin planting indoors or under cover. Use a cloche, bubble wrap, or fleece to protect young plants outdoors, especially at night, and make sure to harden off each crop before transplanting it to its final position.

Waterlogged Soil

As the ground thaws and spring showers begin, waterlogging becomes a major threat to tender plants, which cannot survive in saturated conditions.

To ensure better drainage, we recommend aerating the soil with a garden fork. For heavy clay soils, you should also mix in well-rotted organic manure or mulch to improve structure. Additionally, using raised beds or containers is an excellent preventative measure against waterlogging and localised flooding.

Pests

With temperatures rising, weeds and pests, including aphids, fungal and bacterial spores, as well as pigeons and other small predators, become far more active.

Protect the young seedlings with nets and cloches. Carry out regular weeding and check for signs of bacterial or fungal infection regularly.

Tools & Techniques for March Success

When you are wondering what seeds to plant in March, you must also be prepared with the right tools for a successful growing season ahead.

• Garden fork and spade
• Hand trowel and dibber
• Rake
• Watering can
• Horticulture fleece and cloche
• Container, growing boxes and seed trays

FAQs for March Allotment

What vegetables can I grow in March? 

Some of the best vegetables to grow in March include carrots, peas, spinach, beetroot, and onions. Depending on your local climate, you can start them off indoors in containers or plant directly outdoors protected by fleece and cloches.

What bulbs can I plant in March? 

Some flower bulbs you can plant in March include Lilies, gladioli, and alliums. It is the perfect time for planting flowers, as they will bloom later during the season.

Is it too late to plant bare-root fruit? 

To get the best result, bare-root fruit trees should be planted in January or February. However, you can make the most of the tail end of the growing season and plant them during early March.

Can I sow tomatoes now? 

Yes, tomatoes have a long growing period. It is a good idea to get them started indoors during March with a heated propagator or heated mat.

What seeds to plant in March for quick results? 

If you’re a first-time grower, you can begin with radish, lettuce, and spinach, as they’re fairly low-maintenance with a quick growing period.

Start Your Allotment Growing Journey and Share Your Experience with the Community

Growing your own produce can be an exciting and fulfilling experience. At Allotment Online, we encourage first-time growers to get over their fear while assisting seasoned growers with professional advice. Our community-led platform offers tips, strategies and encouragement.

Do you have a growing story you want to share? Share your stories, photos and suggestions with us in our comments and socials.

Our website offers growing strategies for both amateur and experienced growers. If you are excited to start on your allotment journey, you can check our directory for the nearest allotment association.

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