Yvonne Harbutt, from Rougham Hall Nurseries, near Bury St Edmunds, encourages us to grow our own vegetables and fruit and gives some helpful hints

As March arrives, we start to notice the lighter mornings and the daylight hours drawing out into the evenings.

The end of the month will see the clocks change and spring will finally be under way – a sure sign it is time to spend more time in the garden.

Growing your own fruit and vegetables is becoming very popular – especially encouraging children to be involved with growing produce and gaining an understanding of the importance of eating seasonally and healthily.

If you are new to growing produce, spring is the ideal time to give it a go. It doesn’t have to be complicated, if you have an area of the garden where you can dedicate to growing, start with a few seed potatoes and onion sets. Alternatively, these can be planted in tubs and troughs if space is an issue.

Choose some early sowing vegetable seed – carrot, broad bean, peas, spinach, tomato and lettuce are all popular for an early start. Sow in seed trays and place on the windowsill or greenhouse, where you can monitor watering requirements and germination progress.

For the experienced gardener, the growing season will have already started. Preparation of the allotment or vegetable patch will be complete and some seeds sown, plants may well be growing too.

Late March/April is the time to start planting seed potatoes. There are plenty of varieties to choose from depending on your preference for first earlies, salad, second earlies and maincrop. Allow them to ‘chit’ to produce shoots before planting.

Onion sets and shallots can be planted directly in the ground during March and it is not too late to include ‘spring planting’ garlic too. They prefer a moisture retentive position to avoid drying out during the season.

You may want to skip the seed sowing process and choose small plug plants – a large range of varieties are available, but you’ll have to wait until the end of the month or early April to buy them, depending on the weather. Don’t be too keen with some tender varieties, it is safer to wait until the frosts are behind us. Sweetcorn, runner beans and cucumbers for example, will be more successful if sown later in April when temperatures are (hopefully) consistently warmer.

Why not consider fruit growing this year? Fresh berries and currants are delicious and some (redcurrants, blackcurrants, blueberries, gooseberries etc) are often hard to find in the shops and can be expensive for small punnets in the supermarkets.

Choose a sunny position in the garden or grow in large planters which can be moved around if required. A fruit cage will give added protection from predators who often strip the bushes of fruits long before they are ready. Try planting strawberries in a garden patch or hanging baskets and tubs, and protect with fine netting if necessary.

It is very rewarding to grow your own produce. Even if you choose to start with a few salad leaves and a tomato plant or two, you will enjoy the fresh, tasty delights of homegrown food.

PLANT OF THE MONTH

Hamamelis – Witch hazel

An early flowering, fragrant shrub with interesting, eye-catching flowers on bare stems. Colours ranging from yellow, coppery-orange and red varieties. Provides a welcome source of nectar for bees and other pollinators during the early months.

Ideal as a feature plant in the winter border, giving a bold splash of colour and unusual texture. Attractive foliage during autumn when oval-shaped leaves turn to golden yellow and red tones.

Best planted in a sunny or partially shaded position. Most soil types are suitable but thrives in well drained, moisture retentive area. They are easy to care for and require minimal maintenance.

NURSERY NEWS

From March 31, our shop and plant sales in Rougham will be temporarily relocated to our plant centre in Barrow. We need to refurbish the shop as it is in urgent need of repair. We look forward to seeing you at RHN Plant Centre and Farm Shop in Barrow IP29 5BE. Sorry for any inconvenience caused.

We have some interesting talks and workshops planned for the coming season, to check out the events visit rhn.me.uk.

Bookings now being taken for our first talk Plant Propagation, with Barry Gayton, on March 24.

MOTHER’S DAY, MARCH 30

Plants make perfect gifts for loved ones on special occasions, including Mothering Sunday. A thoughtful choice gives endless pleasure year after year. Planted arrangements are always popular – you can create your own for a personal touch. Consider evergreen shrubs such as rhododendron and azalea or a small acer for a sheltered spot in the garden.

Whatever you choose, it is sure to be well received.

Growing for more than 60 years

RHN Plant Centre and Farm Shop, Colethorpe Lane, Barrow IP29 5BE

Rougham Hall Nurseries, Bury Road, Bury Saint Edmunds IP30 9LZ

Call 01359 270577

See rhn.me.uk

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