What should I plant in March in zone 6a?

In March in zone 6a, you can plant Marigolds, Zinnias, Nasturtiums, Sweet Peas, Celosia, and more. Check indoor start, transplant, and direct sow dates for your specific zone.

When do I plant Marigolds in zone 6a?

In zone 6a, Marigolds: start seeds indoors Mar 15, transplant outdoors Apr 25--May 5, direct sow May 1.

When do I plant Zinnias in zone 6a?

In zone 6a, Zinnias: start seeds indoors Mar 15, transplant outdoors Apr 25--May 5, direct sow May 1--Jun 1.

When do I plant Nasturtiums in zone 6a?

In zone 6a, Nasturtiums: start seeds indoors Mar 15, transplant outdoors Apr 20, direct sow Apr 20--May 5.

What to Plant in March

USDA Zone 6a

Last frost: Apr 1 – Apr 15 Frost-free days: 170–190

Zone:

Spring is building momentum. Start tomatoes and peppers indoors if you haven't already. Cool-season crops like peas, spinach, and lettuce can go outdoors once the soil is workable.

March at a Glance

Indoor Transplant Direct Sow

1 5 10 15 20 25

Marigolds

Zinnias

Nasturtiums

Sweet Peas

Celosia

Basil

Cilantro

Fennel

Tomatoes

Broccoli

Cauliflower

Cabbage

Kale

Lettuce

Spinach

Peas

Cucumbers

Summer Squash

Winter Squash

Pumpkins

Carrots

Beets

Radishes

Turnips

Onions (sets)

Onions (seed)

Potatoes

Swiss Chard

Kohlrabi

Okra

Watermelon

Cantaloupe

Asparagus

Rhubarb

Start Indoors 17

Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.

Tomatoes

Feb 15 – Mar 1

1 per sq ft 65–80 days

Kale

Feb 15 – Mar 1

1 per sq ft 50–65 days

Lettuce

Feb 15 – Mar 1

4 per sq ft 45–60 days

Celosia

Mar 1–8

Basil

Mar 1–15

4 per sq ft 25–35 days

Fennel

Mar 1–8

Swiss Chard

Mar 1–8

4 per sq ft 50–60 days

Marigolds

Mar 15–22

Zinnias

Mar 15–22

Nasturtiums

Mar 15–22

Cucumbers

Mar 15 – Apr 1

2 per sq ft 50–70 days

Summer Squash

Mar 15 – Apr 1

Winter Squash

Mar 15 – Apr 1

Pumpkins

Mar 15 – Apr 1

¼ per sq ft 85–120 days

Okra

Mar 15–22

1 per sq ft 50–65 days

Watermelon

Mar 15–22

¼ per sq ft 70–90 days

Cantaloupe

Mar 15–22

Transplant 9

Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.

Plant now

Rhubarb

Mar 1–28

1 per sq ft 365–730 days

Lettuce

Mar 15 – Apr 1

4 per sq ft 45–60 days

Onions (seed)

Mar 15 – Apr 1

9 per sq ft 100–120 days

Asparagus

Mar 15 – Apr 15

1 per sq ft 730–1095 days

Later this month

Broccoli

Mar 25 – Apr 10

1 per sq ft 60–100 days

Cauliflower

Mar 25 – Apr 10

1 per sq ft 55–100 days

Cabbage

Mar 25 – Apr 10

1 per sq ft 70–100 days

Kale

Mar 25 – Apr 10

1 per sq ft 50–65 days

Kohlrabi

Mar 25 – Apr 10

Direct Sow 13

Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.

Plant now

Sweet Peas

Mar 1–15

Spinach

Mar 1 – Apr 1

9 per sq ft 35–50 days

Peas

Mar 1 – Apr 1

8 per sq ft 55–70 days

Cilantro

Mar 15 – Apr 15

9 per sq ft 30–45 days

Lettuce

Mar 15 – May 1

4 per sq ft 45–60 days

Carrots

Mar 15 – Jul 15

16 per sq ft 70–80 days

Beets

Mar 15 – Jul 15

9 per sq ft 50–70 days

Radishes

Mar 15 – Sep 15

16 per sq ft 22–30 days

Turnips

Mar 15 – Apr 1

9 per sq ft 30–60 days

Onions (sets)

Mar 15 – Apr 1

9 per sq ft 100–120 days

Potatoes

Mar 15 – Apr 1

1 per sq ft 70–150 days

Later this month

Kale

Mar 25 – Apr 10

1 per sq ft 50–65 days

Kohlrabi

Mar 25 – Apr 10

March Gardening Tips

Start Lettuce, Kale, Watermelon indoors now to give them a head start before transplanting outside.
Lettuce, Broccoli, Cabbage can be transplanted outside this month. Harden off seedlings over 5–7 days before planting out.
Direct sow Lettuce, Peas, Kale straight into the garden — no transplanting needed.
Add compost to beds now so nutrients are available when planting time arrives.