March on the Allotment

Here In Canterbury, March always feels like the true beginning of the growing year. The light changes. The birds are louder. And even on chilly mornings, there’s that quiet sense of momentum building across the plots.

In Kent, we’re lucky to have slightly milder conditions than much of the country — but we still need to keep an eye on late frosts and heavy rain. March isn’t about rushing. It’s about steady, thoughtful progress.

If your soil is workable (not waterlogged), you can sow directly:

Under cover (greenhouse or bright windowsill):

There’s something special about those first trays of seedlings lining a greenhouse bench — tiny signs of the months ahead.

If you haven’t started chitting your potatoes yet, pop them in egg boxes in a bright, cool place.

March is your last chance to:

A good mulch now saves hours of watering later.

And don’t forget — check in with your neighbouring plot holders. March is when the community spirit starts reappearing along with the seedlings.