IN THE GARDEN

What to plant in March

March weather facts

Average high temperature: 21.4°C Average low temperature: 17.2°C Average rainfall days: 10 days

Time marches on. Spring comes in and brings along with it the enticing sweetness of the petrichor, just like how the soil sings when rain soaks it up at dawn. Now you can hear sprouts break the ground as they peek into the brand new world, curious to taste the sunshine and experience fresh air, I for one, am excited to experience a new season. Grab your shovel and let the winds of change blow.

Cuttings of hydrangeas planted in January should now be rooted and may be potted. Propagate coleus for pots and beds. Achimenes may now be potted with particular attention being given to the drainage. Caladiums will now be starting to sprout and should be potted. Pot off chrysanthemums from cutting pots. Prune poinsettias.Transplant annuals sown at the beginning of the month into boxes or pans. Give shrubberies a dressing of manure. Take up, divide and replant cannas and hedychiums.

Seeds of the following may be sown: mustard and cress, radish, turnip, Chinese spinach, French beans, cucumber, lettuce, sweet corn, Chinese long bean and ochroes. Plant out any seedlings ready from last month’s sowings canvalias should be planted about 10 feet apart. Watercress may still be planted. Plant out tomatoes raised from cuttings. Brinjals may be planted. Get stakes ready for cucumbers, canavalias (sword bean) and Chinese long beans. While you’re putting in the call to England order vegetable seeds too.

Do not panic if your garden is still recovering from the cold. As with all things in life, progress shows in due time, heed patience my friend.. It is important that we learn from our mistakes and make improvements. Who knows? One day you might earn a green thumb.

By William James Tutcher

F.L.S. (1867-1920)

Superintendent of Hong Kong Botanical Gardens. Paraphrased from his seminal 1906 work Gardening for Hong Kong.