Vegetables we could plant outside in March ?

[JacqueslePeacock]

...and harvest before July?? Are there any? DH wants to start growing veg and I have promised him some pots, some compost and some seeds/plug plants for his birthday at the start of March. The only trouble is, we're away for most of July and August this year so we won't be able to look after them then. Is there anything that would be ready before that? Or am I asking too much here?

Thank you!

[funnyperson]

www.jameswong.co.uk/#/sow-a-long-2/4572140313

[LadyGardenersQuestionTime]

Just in pots, not in the ground?

You can get mixed salad leaves going now, and some baby carrots if you get deepish pots. New potatoes (look for 'first earlies'), herby things like coriander.

[ZingSweetMango]

marks place

[JacqueslePeacock]

We only have a tiny garden, so no ground space, but I've bought enormous, deep pots, so that's not a problem.

So...salad leaves, baby carrots, early new potatoes and herbs...that sounds great! Thank you!

Should I be buying them in seed form or as plants? (Can you tell I have no veg growing experience?) I'm nervous about seeds as we have nowhere indoors to plant them so they would have to go straight out. I could rig up a cover over the pots if necessary though.

[gardeningmum]

You buy seed potatoes, which you will need to 'chit' before you plant. You can buy many herbs as pot plants. Your biggest problem with being away in the summer will be watering so go for the mediterranean ones like rosemary and thyme. Chives may also be a good choice. Radishes are the fastest veg I know to grow - they may only take 6 weeks from sowing - though early March may be a little early to start.