MARCH GARDEN TIPS

Words: Transition Chesterfield

Images: Robert Nixon Betts

Mid-March onwards is the time to plant out potatoes, assuming that the weather is not too cold. If frost is forecast, simply delay the planting until it is over. Once the foliage starts to show, be prepared to cover it if a frost is forecast; most varieties will recover from a light frost but may be weakened, affecting the yield. The cover can be as simple as a sheet of newspaper – anything as long as the foliage isn't directly exposed to the freezing air will usually be fine at this time of year.

Plant onion sets and shallots. Birds sometimes think the tips are worms and pull them up; just push them back if this happens. To discourage the birds, run a few lines of black thread tightly over the bed.

Give perennial herbs a good tidy up, rosemary and sage can often do with a trim now and you can divide and replant clumps of chives and mint also. It is time to buy and plant out young plants of thyme, sage and rosemary.

If the weather is warm the lawn will start to grow, so if there's a dry day give it a cut with the blades set fairly high. Petrol mowers can usually cope with longer, wetter grass but electrics may struggle, so try not to ever let it get too long.

In March, seeds to sow indoors include tomatoes, aubergines, peppers, broccoli, calabrese, lettuce, Brussel sprouts, summer cabbage and try growing beetroot in clusters in modules. Weeds will start into growth, so try to prevent them getting hold by regular weeding. At the same time you can prepare beds by lightly digging them over, incorporating any old compost you have.

Deadhead daffodils, letting the foliage die down naturally, then removing it when it starts to turn yellow. This is when the bulb's reserves of energy are restored, and it prepares for next year - tying it up prevents this happening efficiently and doesn't look nice.

There will be a lot more heat in the sun, so open greenhouse and conservatory doors if you have seedlings in them, so they don’t overheat. But clear sunny days often mean clear, chilly nights, so remember to close them again.

The winter, so far, has been kind to slugs and snails, so expect there to be lots this year. As it gets milder they will start to appear in the garden, so be prepared to combat them. There are lots of possible solutions (pellets, beer traps, and copper bands) but, whatever you do, you'll never entirely be rid of them, so concentrate your efforts on precious plants and small areas.

Plants in containers will appreciate a top dressing. Carefully remove an inch or so of soil and replace it with a new one suitable for containers; it might seem unnecessary to use different sorts of composts for different places but, especially with pots, the right kind makes a big difference.

We’ve now reached the time when the gardening year traditionally starts to get going, so there’s lots to do; keeping on top of it all is the key to success. However, it can be weather dependent - never worry if you can’t do something at the exact time columns like this say you should; relaxing and enjoying it is far more important; get round to things when you can. If you’re trying to get your children interested in gardening then all your good work could be undone by dragging them out into the cold and wet for several hours to do something that could well wait for a week or two.

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Wanted: Walking Stick

Smart, silver top walking stick wanted.

T: 01246 569274 (Brookside)

Langley/Denby Mayflower Pottery: £150

A selection of plates, bowls, cups and saucers, tea pot, jugs, large salad bowl etc. Call for details.

T: 07842 551560 (Brampton)

Rocking Horse: £25

Beautiful soft childrens rocking horse complete with saddle and reins. Has gentle rocking motion with sound.

Clean, hardly used.

T: 07833 515909 (Walton)

Hair Fascinator: £5

Cream coloured. New, never worn.

T: 07833 515909 (Walton)

Baby Bath Seat: £5

T: 01246 930722 (Walton)

Baby Bath: £12

T: 01246 930722 (Walton)

Radiator: £10

Single panel radiator 1150 x 600mm.

T: 01246 930722 (Walton)

Computer Desk: £30

Beech effect desk, pull-out keyboard & mouse shelves, 70cm D x 118cm

W, fair condition, really solid.

T: 01246 555257 (Ashgate)

Laminate Flooring: £30

Oak coloured approx 12m2

T: 01246 930722 (Walton)

Folding Chair: £5

Small folding angling/garden chair in green. Has small pocket at front and cup holder.

T: 07833 515909 (Walton)

Dog Playpen: £20

Large indoor/outdoor dog playpen.

T: 07463 523422 (Walton)

Folding Bike: £80

Compass Northern Folding Bike, white, steel frame, one size, Shimano 6 speed gears, luggage rack and stand. VGC.

T: 07713 248289 (Brampton)

Clip Ear Rings: £Free

Fabulous collection of clip ear rings. Offers accepted to go to local charity. Call for details.

T: 01246 297463 (Brampton)

Tri-Walker: £25

Dark red tri-walker with integral basket. VGC.

T: 07758 489542 (Somersall)

Small Electric Mini Oven: £20 Microwave size. VGC.

T: 07758 489542 (Somersall)

Glass TV Stand: £10

T: 07463 523422 (Walton)

Ladder: £Free

Double extension 15 rung wooden with alloy rungs always kept in garage.

T : 01246 566010 (Walton)

Blue 2-Seater Sofa Bed: £50 VGC. Collect from Newbold

T: 01246 551706 (Newbold)

Stabilisers: £10

Rebound semi-flexible bike stabilisers, little used.

T: 01246 555257 (Ashgate)Craft

Craft Beading Kit: £Free

Job lot of craft beading supplies & kit. Free to good home & buyer collects.

T: 07932 402645 (Brampton)

Cross Stitch: £Free Supplies and kit, job lot. Free to good home & buyer collects.

T: 07932 402645 (Brampton)

Jigsaw Puzzles: £Free

Collection of six jigsaw puzzles. Various pictures, size and 1,000 pieces or more. Free to good home & buyer collects.

T: 07932 402645 (Brampton)

Metal Single Loft Bed: £50 Complete with desk under and seat/ pull-out futon.

T: 01246 555257 (Ashgate)

Fishing Rod: £Free

Fibreglass 10 foot fishing rod.

T: 07833 515909 (Walton)

Cocktail Wear: £Free

Quality cocktail wear, size 12 and 14, suit tall slim build. Good offers accepted to go to local charity. Call for details.

T: 01246 297463 (Brampton)

Various: £Offers

Pretty 3 branch chandelier 3 shades with crystal droplets; Twin ceiling spot light, boxed; Cottage ceiling light; 3 Panasonic cordless phones & charges; VAX bagless upright Power 8 plus accessories, boxed; 10 in 1 steam mop & accessories, boxed; All VGC & very little use. Open to offers.

T: 07477 820414 (Walton)

Vinyl Collection: £199

Collection of mainly singles, some LPs. Mainly 1960s with some 1970s. Some more valuable than others. Condition varies. Call for details.

T: 07842 551560 (Brampton)

Clothes: £Various

Brown faux fur coat Urban Mist size12/14 £25; Grey faux fur shrug cape Julian McDonald size 12 £15; Jacques Vert silver Grey lace short sleeve dress size 14 £15; Together long sleeved midi dress cream / grey size 14 £15.

T: 07413 068082 (Walton)

Heavy Duty Kerb Ramps: £25

Threshold ramps x 2. Super strong suitable for vehicles, trailers, motorcycles, mobility scooters etc. Each 10 x 32 x 50 cms. As new.

T: 07597 598643

Ladies Hotter Shoes: £15

Size 6.5 Francis style. Brand new, genuine reason for sale.

T: 07597 598643

Wood Single Loft Bed: £50 John Lewis.

T: 01246 555257 (Ashgate)

Adverts for items (and groups of items) under £200 are free. Adverts for over £200 are £5 which we donate to Ashgate Hospice (picture items donation priced on request).

Please contact:

E: paul@s40local.co.uk

T: 07764 801080

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Fancy £20 just for filling in our crossword?

For your chance to win, send in your completed crossword to reach us by Friday 10 March 2023 to S40 Local, Studio

2, West Studios, Sheffield Road, Chesterfield S41 7LL or take a photo/scan it to paul@ s40local.co.uk

Congratulations to last month's winner Derek from Cutthorpe. Across

3. Loser adapts in case of stew (9)

8. Even Alan is involved in corruption (5)

9. Indian mogul 1542-1605 (5)

12. Concerning model’s sitting and relaxing (8)

13. Egyptian goddess of fertility (4)

14. Memories of extras welcoming turned strong beer (7)

18. Ploy by the American in mid-stream (4)

19. Closure in ballet or music (4)

20. Stop, quiet after sailor changes oil (7)

25. Shade in amongst race (4)

27. London line has a bare look (8)

28. Complies with old boy and yes it is strange (5)

30. Dog and model-maker (5)

31. Mineral within a mineral or mis-developed body (9) Down

1. Old Rover given commanding position (8)

2. Incompetent writer comes back into city centre (5)

3. The girl in the outskirts of Coventry is elegant (6)

4. Host in Japanese religion (6)

5. She takes leading role in extra vehicular activity (3)

6. Areas of influence where Boris is one short (4)

7. Deeply involved up to them (4)

10. Bad taste of Kit’s champagne (6)

Name:

11. Scots own the A1 North (3)

14. Spot that could be black and mounted (6)

15. Sentimental drivel and sticky substance (3)

16. Non-accidental injury (1,1,1)

17. Instrument puts Don and Mal in confusion (8)

21. One who dawdles in an American shoe (6)

22. The outer stomach conceals two points giving strong smell (6)

23. An untruth from the FBI (3)

24. May be seen on Bonfire Night or on trousers (5)

25. Great work given to me (4)

26. Requirement in Eden (4)

Last month's answers.