Edible gardening notes for early autumn (March).
By the time we hit March things definitely start to cool down. We notice, in particular, the chilly dewy morning and evenings.
But don’t be fooled. Though we can feel moisture returning to the air, the earth is still extremely dry after a long hot summer and a rainless start to autumn. Keep your pots and gardens well watered at this time to keep your plants happy and your edibles producing.
Here are some tips on seasonal planting and harvesting this month.
March — Edible Planting
- Plant leafy vegetables like kale, spinach, parsley, silverbeet
- Brassicas — broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kohlrabi
- Leek, spring onions, onions, celery
- Early garlic
- Fruit trees
March — Harvest
- Apples, pears, beans, kūmara, pumpkin, potatoes, aubergine
- Onions and garlic — when bulbs are firm and foliage has turned yellow, folded over or ia starting to die back
- The first of feijoas and citrus
- The last of strawberries, nectarines, peaches, plums, tomatoes, chillies, cucumbers, zucchini
- Many root vegetables including beetroot, carrots, parsnips can be left in the ground until you need them. But if you’re worried about slugs or extreme frost, lift them now and store.
