Still hardy out so hold off on planting

Kitty Scully advises that only really hardy plants should be set outdoors this month —sowing indoors for transplanting later is the way to go.

Despite what UK gardening books may advise, there are very few crops that actually enjoy being planted outside in Ireland in March. Instead this is the month for preparing ground and sowing seeds indoors in plug trays for later transplanting next month.

That said there are a few seasonal stalwarts that can handle current ground temperatures and do best if direct sown outside now. Here are three of my chosen early sowers: