March Garden Diary: Chores and Challenges -Seeds or Vegetable Plugs?

Looking back, this is the wettest January, February, and March I can remember, so we are way behind with our gardening endeavours. This week, we had a break in the weather. The rain stopped, and the sun shone.

On Sunday, impatient because many of the seeds I’d planted at the beginning of March were slow to germinate, we took a chance and went to Rogil Market to buy established seed plugs. Despite the blustery weather, the plant man was one of only three stalls to brave the weather. The rest of the market was empty. It was great to see all his regulars, like us, and his effort was not in vain.

When we returned home, I potted on all the vegetable plugs and put them in a sheltered location under cover.

1. Seeds v Vegetable Plants?

What are the benefits of buying established vegetable plants?

1. Plants are already established, saving weeks of growing time and nurturing baby seedlings.
2. Seeds may not germinate–this has happened to me on numerous occasions–so I’ve wasted several weeks before I realised the seeds are dud.
3. You only grow what you need. Perfect for the small gardens/veg patch.
4. It’s easier to organise successive plantings to spread the harvest.

Any other benefits?

What are the benefits of growing from seed?

1. Seeds are easy to save and share.
2. You can order unusual varieties that may not be available at your local market or garden centre as established plants.
3. Seeds are also cheaper than established plugs for a large vegetable garden.

Any other benefits?

Which method do you prefer?

2. Patience is a Virtue

Cucumber and Yellow Pepper Plants

Two of the twelve cucumber seeds I planted on March 5th are finally beginning to poke their heads through the soil.

These are the cucumber and yellow pepper plugs we bought at the market for 25c each. The yellow pepper plant seeds from last year have failed to germinate so far.

Courgette Zucchini Plants

Again only 25c each

Black Tomato Plants

Tomato Seeds v Matured Plants

As you can see from the picture below, the tomato seeds I planted on March 5th are way behind so I asked myself …

These tomatoes were planted on 5th March from seeds I saved last year and others Fred, the French Gardener, kindly sent me.

CHORES AND CHALLENGES

3. Turning the Compost Heap

Our compost heap is divided into three sections, each in a different stage of decomposition. This week, Mr. P turned the central section (mainly brown waste such as leaves) into the first, mainly green waste.

4. Raised Vegetable Bed

After all the rain, Mr Piglet set to weeding the main raised vegetable bed, which was overrun with weeds. He’s done a good job, yes? The only vegetables growing there at the moment are red onions and carrots. We now just need to fertilize with rotted manure, some wood ash, and homemade compost, then cover it with black plastic to warm up the soil and suppress the weeds (for now).

Compared to last year, we are way behind with our planting.

5. Spinach Bed

Mr. P also weeded the spinach bed! I think he was on a mission.

Related Posts: Looking back at Piglet’s Plot in March (2024) it was definitely more advanced.

SoS: What’s Happening on Piglet’s Plot 23rd March?

6. Vertical Strawberry Planter V2

Last Spring, we made a vertical strawberry planter, and as per the YouTube instructions, we filled the central watering system with green waste, etc. VERY BAD IDEA! Not only did the green waste stink as it decayed, but it also attracted hundreds of fruit flies, and we had to evacuate all the strawberry plants.

We have now emptied the planter and inserted a wider-diameter tube for the central watering system, which I am filling with cotton material and gravel to enable a slower water release (in theory). We will see. I am only planting one layer of strawberries to see how they fair. Further update next week.

I am open to ideas for an improved watering system. Please, PLEASE share.

That’s my six for this Saturday, folks. Do pop over to Jim’s blog to discover more gardening bloggers

Gardening in March: Pruning, Seeds and Harvest