March - this is what you can sow and cultivate

March is prime time for pre-cultivation, but even now, you can sow certain plants outdoors to get an early start on spring.

Tomatoes, corn, potatoes, and summer flowers are typical seeds that benefit from being sown during this first month of spring.

Both tomatoes and their tangy relative tomatillos are perfect to start indoors in March. They're super easy to get going, and there’s a whole world of fun tomato seeds to explore. How about growing black, purple, or striped tomatoes this year?

Sow the seeds in low-nutrient seed-starting soil, and make sure the plants get between 20–25°C and plenty of sunlight. A south-facing window might do the trick, but if you want sturdier, bushier plants, adding some grow lights makes a big difference. About three weeks after sowing, you can gently begin adding nutrients, and as the plants grow, it’s time to repot them into larger containers.

Corn loves warmth and should ideally be sown indoors in March. You can choose between several different types of corn, like sweet corn, flour corn, and popcorn, but it’s best to stick to one variety in the same area—otherwise, they might cross-pollinate. When it’s time to plant them outside, group the corn plants together so they can wind-pollinate each other effectively.

If you want an early potato harvest in the summer, March is an excellent time to get started. There are several ways to grow potatoes—for example, by planting seed potatoes in pots or laying them on top of a layer of soil in a larger container. The advantage of the latter method is that you can fit more potatoes, but the downside is that the roots might tangle together before you have a chance to transplant the potato plants outdoors.

No matter which method you choose, make sure your potato plants get plenty of light and stay cool. If it's too dark, the plants will become long and spindly—they’ll use all their energy stretching toward whatever light is available.

You can absolutely start thinking about summer flowers already in March. Start indoors with those that need early sowing, and order the seeds you want to grow this year. When the time comes, you’ll be ready to jump right in.

See our flower seeds

March is also the time to wake up dahlia tubers and pelargoniums from their winter rest. Plant dahlia tubers in pots with fresh soil, and repot your pelargoniums before placing them in the light.

Read more:

• 5 tips for successful pre-cultivation

Already in March, it's possible to grow certain types of greens in pots and planters, giving you a head start on spring.

If the cold remains stable, you can continue with winter sowing in plastic boxes or outdoors in garden beds and planting boxes.

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• Tips and tricks - Grow your own