Looking to get a head start on your growing season! Learn what to plant in march in your vegetable garden by seed, transplant, and what you can start indoors in march with this March Planting guide!
It’s that exciting time of year when the earth warms up just a fraction, and the gloom of winter starts to crack. Gardeners, whether they’re seasoned experts or enthusiastic beginners, feel that irresistible itch to dig in the dirt.
March plays a critical role for many gardeners, especially in warmer regions, as it marks the beginning of the spring garden growing season in full swing. But what exactly should you be planting this month? Let’s break down the must-have plants for March, whether you’re an experienced green thumb looking to optimize your garden or a beginner who’s just cleared the weeds and can’t wait to get started.
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Sow seed based on your last frost date
Before we dive into the list of things you can plant in March let’s talk about the crucial importance of the frost date for this list and any other list you may come across.
Many beginner gardeners fall into the trap of planning the “when” of their garden based on their USDA hardiness zones. These numbers are important, but they only tell us the extreme temperatures our plants can survive. Essentially, whether or not a particular crop is perennial (or returns year after year) in your area. If you plant solely off of Hardiness Zones then you may be a zone 7 gardener who lives in NEW YORK, following the gardening plan of someone living in ALABAMA.
That’s why it’s essential to know your specific last frost date. The Farmer’s Almanac has a handy tool where you can enter your zip code and get the estimated average frost dates for your particular location.
Additionally, I will caveat this by saying, this post is designed specifically for people who have frost dates between the 1st and 20th of APRIL.
If your last spring frost date is after this time frame, you can still peruse, but recognize you may just be starting most of these crops indoors. If your frost date is earlier, you’ll likely be putting all of these in ground.
What to plant in march
March is a great time to consider transplanting hardy annuals, leafy greens, cool season vegetables, root crops as well as plant summer bulbs in your kitchen garden! We have divided this list of what to plant in March into 3 different categories. They are:
- What to transplant outdoors in March
- What to direct sow in March
- What to Start Indoors in March
Remember, these are all based on a frost date of before April 15th.
What to transplant outdoors in March
These crops are all frost hardy and will do well outdoors. If you’re planting a spring garden or are eager to get your hands dirty, these plants are perfect for transplanting in March. If you started plants indoors, these would have been started in February. You can also purchase these as transplants from your local nursery.
Cabbage
Cabbage is a member of the Brassica family and is an excellent crop to transplant into your garden in March. It can be started from both seed and transplants, but for an early start, I would suggest starting indoors.
Cauliflower
Another member of the Brassica family is cauliflower! This cool-season crop loves to mature in spring or fall when temperatures are cooler. Start these indoors before transplanting.
Chinese cabbage
Chinese cabbage crops such as Tatsoi and Bok choy are great crops to plant in March. They have a shorter time span from seed to harvest and can be transplanted or direct sown in the garden. Succession plant these crops for an extended harvest into the early summer.
Collards
Collards are a southern staple and excellent spring and fall crop. Collards can be started indoors and transplanted in the garden throughout March. Additionally some varieties can even be direct sown.
Kohlrabi
Kohlrabi is a versatile crop which is often overlooked. The leaves and bulbs of the kohlrabi are both edible and nutritious.
Lettuce
Lettuce is another crop that can be direct sown in early March. It grows well in cooler temperatures and can be harvested throughout the spring season. One variety of lettuce that has done well for me in both the spring and into the summer is the Marvel of 4 Seasons Lettuce from Botanical Interests.
Mint
Mint is an herb that can be transplanted in March, mint can be an aggressive spreader, so consider growing Mint in containers instead of directly in your garden bed.
Mustard
Transplant mustard in late March for an early start to this delicious green. Additionally, Mustard can be direct sown throughout the month as well.
Onions
Onions are a great crop to transplant in early spring. If you are planting green onions (spring onions) You can consider seeds, but bulb onions should be planted as sets in March due to their long germination and maturing time.
Oregano
Oregano is another perennial herb that can be transplanted in the early spring/late winter garden. Being a part of the mint family, oregano can be invasive, so consider putting it in pots.
Parsley
Parsley is a cool season biennial herb that thrives in the spring garden. Both flat leaf and curly parsley transplants well in the early spring.
Swiss chard
Swiss Chard is a versatile crop that thrives in nearly all temperatures. It is unfazed by the cooler temperatures of early spring and can thrive in the summer as a warm season green as well!
Thyme
Thyme is a perennial herb that is a great companion plant and, in my opinion, excellent choice as a rabbit deterrent. It’s also a medicinal herb with a wealth of benefits!
White potatoes
Whether white, red, or blue, potatoes are a great option to plant as soon as your soil can be worked in early March. Potatoes are grown from seed potatoes and are planted in late winter and early spring for a summer harvest in about 60-90 days.
Also read: Successfully Transplant Seedlings after Germination
What to direct sow in March
March is a month when we can start direct sowing things in our garden with the understanding that we may have to provide protection for our new plants. This could be in the form of a cold frame, frost cover, or just bringing them indoors on cold nights if they are in containers. Some plants will love the cooler temperatures and others may struggle. But, it is possible to have a successful crop from seeds sown in March. Let’s look at the top crops to sow directly in the garden in March.
Beets
Root crops like beets love the cool temperatures of early spring. Beets are easy to grow and mature quickly. Sow beets directly into the garden in rows 12-18 inches apart.
Broad Beans
Broad beans are a crop that thrives in long cool winters, they are also an excellent green manure and mulch for your garden.
Carrots
Carrots also thrive in cooler temperatures and can be sown as soon as the soil is workable. They should be planted about 1/2 inch deep, with about an inch between each seed.
Collards
Collard greens can also be direct sown in the garden in March. These greens are a southern staple but grow well in a variety of climates.
Dill
Dill is an herb that can be sown directly in the garden in early spring. This versatile herb is great for pickling, flavoring dishes, and attracting beneficial insects.
Seed Starting Cheat Sheet + Weekly Tips for your Garden!
Kale
Kale can be sown or transplanted into the garden in March. It’s cold hardy and will do well even if the temperatures drop below freezing. Kale does tend to do better in the cooler temperatures of fall and is an excellent winter crop!
Kohlrabi
As we learned earlier, Kohlrabi is an often overlooked cool season crop that can be succession sown. I like to transplant my initial planting, and then succession sow through early May.
Mustard
Mustard greens are often transplanted, but can be direct sown as well! Plant early in the month for an early harvest.
Oregano
Oregano, a perennial herb, can be planted in early spring or late winter gardens. As a member of the mint family, oregano has the potential to become invasive, so it is advisable to plant it in pots. This way, you can enjoy its benefits without worrying about it taking over your garden.
Parsley
Parsley, a biennial herb that flourishes in the spring garden, is known for its cool-season adaptability. Whether transplanted or grown from seed, March is the perfect time to cultivate this versatile herb.
Radish
Radishes are a fast-growing root crop that can be direct sown in February and March as soon as the ground can be worked. Succession plant radish for prolonged harvest all spring long.
Spinach
Spinach is another leafy green that is great in the early spring garden. Spinach is very sensitive to heat, so you will want to sow spinach as soon as the ground can be worked.
Sweet Peas
Peas are a great crop for your spring garden. This cool season crop does not transplant well but can be direct sown outdoors in March for an early harvest.
Thyme
Thyme, a perennial herb, serves as an excellent companion plant and an effective deterrent for rabbits. Moreover, it boasts medicinal properties that make it a valuable and beneficial addition to any garden.
Turnip
Another root crop that thrives in the spring garden is Turnips! Turnips can be direct sown in rows about 12-18 inches apart. They are quick to mature and make a great addition to any spring salad.
What to start indoors in March
In addition to what we can plant right now are a few things that we can continue to start indoors. These are going to be are warm weather vegetables that we will transplant into the garden once all danger of frost has passed. Here are a few things that you can start indoors in March:
Cucumbers
Cucumbers are a popular summer vegetable that can also be started indoors in March for an earlier harvest. Make sure to give them plenty of sunlight and support as they grow.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a summer garden powerhouse, but they take a long time to mature. Starting tomatoes indoors in March can help you get a head start on the growing season and ensure a bountiful harvest.
Peppers
Similar to tomatoes, peppers also take a long time to mature. Starting them indoors in March allows for earlier planting and a longer growing season for these delicious vegetables. You may see more success with sweet peppers as they mature slightly quicker than hot peppers.
Eggplant
Eggplants are another warm weather vegetable that can be started indoors in March. They require similar care as tomatoes and peppers, making them a great addition to your early spring gardening plans.
Squash
Squash is another summer favorite that can be started indoors 2-3 weeks before transplanting. I generally like to start squash and cucumbers directly in the garden however because they can have sensitive roots and be difficult to transplant.
Also read: The Ultimate Seed Starting Station Set-up Guide
Remember that this list of what to plant in March is based on a frost date before the 15th of April. If you have a frost date in May, you may want to check out our February Planting Guide which will tell you everything that you would be able to plant in March in cooler regions.
Keep in mind that the weather is ever-changing, so it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on the forecast and adjust your planting plans accordingly. Happy gardening!
