Jobs for the Garden in March . . .
- clairecharrie
- Mar 16
- 6 min read
As the days begin to lengthen and the chill of winter starts to ebb away, March heralds the arrival of spring and it is the perfect time to roll up your sleeves and get back into the garden, making the most of the fresh air, sunshine and the burgeoning signs of new life. It’s such an uplifting time.
A crucial month for gardeners, March marks the beginning of the growing season. Here are some essential gardening tasks to tackle:
Before doing anything in the garden make sure you clean and disinfect your tools.
Prune roses to encourage healthy growth and abundant blooms.
Start sowing seeds for hardy annuals like calendula and sweet peas.
Prepare vegetable beds by weeding, adding compost, and digging in organic matter.
Plant early potatoes and onion sets for a head start on the harvest season.
Divide and replant perennials to rejuvenate them and create new plants.
Check garden structures such as fences, trellises, and sheds for any winter Clean and disinfect greenhouse glass and pots to prevent diseases. Soap and water will generally do the job but you can use Jeyes Fluid for disinfecting – always remember to the right protection for the job.
Apply mulch to flower beds and borders to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. The mulch should be at least 3-5cm deep.
Feed lawns with a spring fertilizer to promote lush growth.
Re-pot houseplants that have outgrown their containers.
How to Grow Lentils
Lentils are a versatile and nutritious legume, rich in proteins and essential nutrients. Growing lentils in this country might seem challenging due to the climate, but with the right techniques, you can achieve a successful harvest. Here are some top tips for successful growing.
Choosing the Right Variety
Lentils come in several varieties, each with different growing requirements. The most common types include:
Green Lentils: These are hardy and grow well in cooler climates, making them suitable for the UK.
Red Lentils: These grow quickly and have a shorter growing season, which can be advantageous in our climate.
Preparing the Soil
Lentils thrive in well-drained, sandy loam soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. To prepare your soil:
Choose a sunny location: Lentils need full sun to grow well.
Improve soil drainage: If your soil is heavy clay, add organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure to improve drainage.
Test the soil pH: Ensure the soil pH is between 6.0 and 6.5. Adjust the pH if necessary using lime to raise it or sulphur to lower it.
Sowing Lentil Seeds
Lentils are cool-season crops and should be sown in early spring, once the risk of frost has passed. Follow these steps:
Soak the seeds: Soak lentil seeds in water overnight to encourage faster germination.
Planting depth and spacing: Sow seeds 1 to 2 cm deep, with a spacing of 5 to 7 cm between seeds and 20 to 30 cm between rows.
Direct sowing: Lentils do not transplant well, so it is best to sow them directly into the prepared soil.
Watering and Feeding
Lentils require consistent moisture but do not tolerate waterlogged soil.
Watering: Water the plants regularly, especially during dry spells, but avoid overwatering. The soil should be kept moist but not soggy.
Feeding: Lentils are nitrogen-fixing plants and do not require much nitrogen fertilizer. However, you can apply a balanced fertilizer at planting time to ensure good growth.
Weeding and Mulching
Weeds can compete with lentil plants for nutrients and water. Keep the bed weed-free by:
Regular weeding: Hand weed or use a hoe to remove weeds as they appear.
Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to suppress weeds and retain soil moisture. Use organic mulch such as straw or grass clippings.
Supporting the Plants
Lentil plants are generally low-growing but may require support if they become top-heavy. Use the following methods:
Staking: Provide stakes or a trellis for the plants to climb on, especially if you are growing taller varieties.
Netting: Use garden netting to support the plants and prevent them from falling over.
Pest and Disease Management
Lentils are relatively resistant to pests and diseases, but you should still monitor for common issues:
Aphids: These small insects can be controlled by spraying with insecticidal soap or introducing beneficial insects such as ladybirds.
Root rot: Ensure good drainage and avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
Fungal diseases: Apply a fungicide if you notice signs of fungal infections, such as powdery mildew or rust.
Harvesting Lentils
Lentils are typically ready for harvest in late summer to early autumn.
Timing: Harvest when the pods have turned brown and the seeds inside are hard.
Drying: Pull up the plants and hang them upside down in a dry, well-ventilated area to fully dry the pods.
Threshing: Once the pods are dry, thresh them by hand or using a machine to separate the seeds from the pods.
Storing Lentils
Proper storage ensures that your lentils remain fresh and usable for a long time.
Cleaning: Clean the lentils thoroughly to remove any debris or damaged seeds.
Storage conditions: Store the lentils in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
Shelf life: Lentils can be stored for up to a year if kept in optimal conditions.
By following these guidelines, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of homegrown lentils. Happy growing!
Recipe of the Month
Lentil & Veg Medley
This tasty, simple & comforting meal is high in fibre, rich in protein and full of antioxidants. Lentils are versatile legumes that give any meal a boost of nutrition and heartiness. An excellent substitute for meat or simply add them to soups and salads. Their high nutritional value make them worthy of being a kitchen cupboard staple for good health...Enjoy!
Ingredients
200g dried green or brown or red lentils
1 litre vegetable stock
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion,chopped
2 carrots chopped
2 celery sticks chopped
3 cloves garlic finely chopped
1 tin (400g) chopped tomatoes
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
Salt and pepper
Fresh parsley
Method
In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Cook til veg is softened.
Add garlic, ground cumin & ground coriander. Cook for another minute or so.
Add 200g of lentils chopped tomatoes and stir well.
Add vegetable stock & bring to a boil.
Cover the pot, reduce heat and simmer for 25-30 minutes, until the lentils are tender. Add seasoning to taste.
When ready to serve, garnish with freshly chopped parsley
March Bee News
Early Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa)
Brrr. While writing this it is still a cold wet winter. Spring has been quite variable in the last few years and it can be harder to predict what is going to be doing what and when. But I’m keeping my eyes (and ears!) open for our distinct Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) queens coming out of hibernation and looking for a place to nest. Another wonderful bumblebee to keep an eye out for as it comes out of hibernation is the Early Bumblebee (Bombus pratorum). One of our smallest bumblebees, they have an orange tail and yellow bands on their body with the males having a fluffy yellow face. They have relatively small nests, and like some others have a second generation of nests later in the year. A short tongued bumblebee, they are often found pollinating raspberries and blackberries but visit a wide range of flowers.
Another ‘early’ bee that should be starting to appear at this time of year is the Early Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa), also known as the Orange-tailed Mining Bee. Unlike the Early bumblebee, this is a solitary bee. Slightly smaller than a honey bee, the female has rusty orange coloured fur on her thorax and a rusty orange coloured tip to her abdomen. Similarly to many male mining bees - the male is smaller and less distinctive than the females. Keep your eye out for these early bees this spring!
Wonderful things to have flowering at this time of year for bees include flowering bulbs, pulmonaria (one of my favourites!), wallflowers and native primroses. Having pollen available during the colder months (and all year round!) is so important to bees and other pollinators.
We’ve had some good news this year - the emergency use of a banned ‘neonic’ pesticide has been rejected after a number of years of approval. Prof Dave Goulson of the University of Sussex describes that one teaspoon of the chemical is enough to kill 1.25billion honeybees and even at non-fatal doses can cause problems with bees ability to forage. So that’s a big positive for pollinators! But of course, there is always lots more work to do to support our wildlife.
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