March has been a dry month and, as in previous years, this can persist well into April and May, causing stress to some plants. So plant yields will suffer if a spring drought takes hold.
Use cardboard or other mulches to preserve the soil moisture especially around larger plants like soft fruits and new fruit trees. Heavier clay/chalk soils can dry into large hard clods if cultivated now – the result of higher temperatures and drying winds.
It’s best to lay well-rotted home-made compost, other organic material or cardboard on harder, compacted soils – let the worms do the cultivation as they pull the material down into the soil and create air spaces.
Plant ‘chitted’ potato sets, starting with the early varieties – but be aware that as soon as the foliage appears above the surface it is vulnerable to late frosts.
The new shoots of raspberries, especially those growing from the base, can also be burnt by frosts this month – so make sure you cover with horticultural fleece or straw if cold nights are forecast.
Fleece is a fine, light woven material that lets in light and rain, but it creates shelter and warmth to enhance plant growth. It also helps to prevent evaporation from the soil.
For more in-depth gardening information see Keith’s brand new blog – and come to the Grow Your own – Spring Jobs workshop on Tuesday 5th April.
