Enjoy a delightful exploration of seasonal produce with Monty
### Monty Don's March Fruit and Veg Garden Recommendations
As the weather starts to warm up and the days become longer, Monty Don, the beloved gardening expert, offers his guidance for March's fruit and vegetable tasks. Although there are no direct search results for March-specific gardening advice from Monty, his approach to gardening, as demonstrated in the 2024 series of Gardeners' World, remains a reliable source of inspiration.
#### Raspberries
March is the perfect time to plant bare-root raspberry canes. To prepare the canes for planting, soak their roots in water for several hours before digging a trench and planting them about 45cm apart. The roots should be well spread out, and the soil should be firmed in around them. For summer-fruiting varieties, cut back old canes to ground level that fruited last year and tie in new canes to supports. Autumn raspberries should have all canes cut to ground level in February or early March for a fresh flush of growth. Mulching with well-rotted compost will help retain moisture and suppress weeds, and watering should be done in dry spells.
#### Potatoes in Containers
Start chitting seed potatoes indoors in bright, cool, frost-free conditions. This encourages strong shoots before planting. In March, first early potatoes (e.g., ‘Rocket’, ‘Swift’) can be planted in containers as long as the risk of frost is past or you have frost protection. Place a layer of compost in the bottom of the container, sit the seed potatoes (chitted end up) on top, and cover with more compost. As shoots emerge, ‘earth up’ by adding more compost, leaving just the tips exposed. Keep the compost moist but not saturated, especially as plants fill out the container.
#### Spinach and Rocket
Spinach and rocket can be direct sown outdoors from March, especially in warmer, sheltered spots. Alternatively, start them under cloches, fleece, or in a cold frame for earlier crops. If you have started seedlings indoors, these can be planted out into the garden or allotment from March—hardened off first to acclimate them to outdoor conditions. Both crops prefer cooler conditions and will bolt (run to seed) quickly if too hot or dry. For continuous harvests, sow small batches every few weeks.
#### Additional March Jobs
Prepare beds by forking over vegetable plots, removing weeds, and enriching soil with compost for the coming season. Plan succession planting by determining when to sow and transplant different vegetables to ensure space is used efficiently. Be prepared to protect young plants from late frosts with fleece or cloches.
Monty's practical advice always blends foresight with immediate action, a principle well reflected in the outlined March tasks. For the most accurate and up-to-date advice, watch Monty's segments on Gardeners' World as each month's episode airs, as he often demonstrates seasonal tasks in real time.
Gardening enthusiasts should take note that March is an ideal time to focus on home-and-garden tasks, such as planting bare-root raspberry canes and starting chitting seed potatoes, as suggested in Monty Don's March Fruit and Veg Garden Recommendations. Additionally, Monty's approach to a balanced and vibrant lifestyle often involves forward planning and immediate action, making his gardening tips in Gardeners' World an excellent resource for implementing a home-and-garden lifestyle.
