March Growers' Guide

As Summer slowly relinquishes its hold on the landscape, the transition to autumn begins its subtle dance. The scorching heat of the sun mellows as the days grow shorter and the nights grow longer. The once vibrant greens take on hints of amber and crimson. The dandelion flowers close up and it is time to harvest their roots.

Flowers

Flower seeds to sow now

Alyssum, Billy Buttons, Calendula, Cornflowers, Delphinium, Echinacea, Everlasting Daisy, Hollyhock, Lupins, Mignonette, Poppy, Pyrethrum, Sweet peas, Tansy, Viola

Veggies & Herbs

Seeds to sow now

Amaranth, Artichoke, Beetroot, Bok Choy, Carrot, Celery, Chervil, Chives, Chinese broccoli, Coriander, Dill, Endive, Fennel, Garlic, Garlic chives, Kale, Leek, Lemon balm, Lettuce, Mizuna, Mustards, Onions, Pak Choy, Parsley, Peas, Peppermint, Radish, Rocket, Sage, Salsify, Silverbeet, Sorrel, Spinach, Spring Onion, Swede, Thyme, Turnip

Seedlings to transplant now

Asparagus, Beans, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Kohlrabi, Leek, Lettuce, Rhubarb, Silverbeet

Try to have your garlic planted before the equinox.

Fruits

Keep watering regularly - especially citrus.
Mulching your fruit trees is important for water retention in the soil.
Use seaweed solution or similar weekly to help keep your tree strong and cope with the heat. Spraying in the late evening is usually a good idea.
Order your bare rooted fruit trees if you have not yet already.
Cut out citrus tree water shoots.
Finalise all your summer fruit tree pruning for tree maintenance.
After your last raspberry harvest, remove old canes.
Use supports to hold up heavy bearing raspberry canes.
Check for and remove dropped citrus to stop fruit fly.
Thin citrus as the fruit develops to stop branches breaking.
Remove any mummified fruit and fallen fruit from stone fruit trees.

Soil, Tasks and Tools

Ensure your worm farm is somewhere warm for the winter
Keep your veggies mulched
Decide if you want to plant a green manure over winter - lablab, cow pea, millet etc
Clean up fruit fly traps for next season
Tidy up nets as required
Wash fruit bags and dry for next season
Repair irrigation systems, consider adding timers where possible
Sharpen pruning tools after summer pruning
Clean saws and other blade tools