Q: I’d like to get an early jump on this year’s gardening. What edible plants are suited for sowing in March?
A: Unless you live in a very cold climate, March is a good month to start sowing seeds for hardy plants such as leeks, peas, parsnips and spinach. In case of a late cold spell, you might consider sowing them indoors this month and planting them the next. March is probably your last chance to plant fruit trees and bushes, such as apples, pears, blueberries and blackberries. It’s your last chance for garlic, too. You can also get a jump on lettuce, onions, radishes and other salad crops. Asparagus can be grown from seed, but it’s easier to use ready-to-plant rootstocks called “crowns,” which can be planted in trenches in March or April.
