With some proper planning and preparation, you can start to think about this year’s produce growing. It is important to keep in mind that frost and very cold temperatures may still be a problem. It would be best to keep an eye on the forecast and delay sowing if temperatures are predicted to drop too low, or to dip for an extended period of time.
Here are a few vegetables that you can get going with in February:
February is a good time to chit first and second early seed potatoes indoors. Chitting, or sprouting, seed potatoes before planting can help to increase the crop yield. Just stand potatoes upright in an egg box on a windowsill for around 4-6 weeks.
You can sow onions indoors in February for transplanting outside later on. They need a long growing season, so sowing them early will give them time to mature.
Tomatoes can be started from seed indoors in March, on a warm windowsill, or under protection of a greenhouse.
For tomatoes, don’t miss Eli’s recommendations for the best varieties to grow in Scotland and her top sowing tips.
Chillies, peppers, and aubergines can all be sown on a warm windowsill, in propagators, or on heat mats in the greenhouse as they need a long growing season to maturity.
Garlic bulb cloves can be planted in February, pointy end up, around 2.5cm deep and 10cm apart. They will be ready to harvest from July.
Peas are hardy and can be sown outdoors from February onwards either planted in seed trays to be transplanted later or direct-sown in the ground. They will be ready to harvest from May onwards.
Like peas, broad beans are also hardy and can be sown outdoors from February. Exactly like peas, they can be planted in seed trays or direct-sown in the ground, ready to be picked from May onwards.
Some salad greens such as spinach, lettuce, and rocket are hardy enough to be sown outdoors directly into the soil in a cold frame, or in a sheltered spot, to be harvested from April onwards. Providing a little bit of cover will bring crops on faster.
Top Tip: Warm the soil in raised beds with clear polythene after weeding and raking it level. The polythene will keep the soil dry whilst still allowing radiant light to warm the surface. Do make sure to weigh it down with heavy bricks or similar to keep it in place in strong winds.
March is the real start of the growing season in Scotland, and with the warming weather and extended daylight hours from the end of the month, it is a good time to think about sowing a wider variety of vegetables.
Leeks can be sown in pots or modules under protection in March. They will be ready for transplanting outside once the weather warms up.
Squash can be sown in pots indoors in March, under protection of a greenhouse or windowsill, to be transplanted later in the season.
Potatoes can be planted out towards the end of March or beginning of April in well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter.
Parsnips can be sown directly into the soil in March. They need a long growing season, so the earlier they are sown, the better.
Carrots can be sown directly into well-draining soil in March, once the soil can be worked, spaced about 2.5cm (1in) apart.
Radishes are a quick-growing crop and can be harvested as soon as a month after sowing. They can be sown directly into the soil in March.
Beetroot can be sown directly into the soil in March and will be ready to harvest in around 2-3 months.
As above, do keep in mind that weather conditions and microclimate can have an effect on the success of your sowings. The vegetable varieties you choose will also factor in the chances of success so do try to pick hardy varieties suited to grow well in Scotland.