What to Plant in March

USDA Zone 8a

Last frost: Mar 1 – Mar 15 Frost-free days: 220–250

Your last frost is behind you or nearly so. Warm-season crops can go in the ground soon. Direct sow beans, squash, and cucumbers as the soil warms up.

March at a Glance

Indoor Transplant Direct Sow
1 5 10 15 20 25
Basil
Cilantro
Dill
Parsley
Rosemary
Thyme
Oregano
Sage
Mint
Lavender
Tomatoes
Peppers
Eggplant
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Cabbage
Brussels Sprouts
Kale
Lettuce
Spinach
Beans (bush)
Beans (pole)
Cucumbers
Summer Squash
Winter Squash
Corn
Carrots
Beets
Radishes
Onions (sets)
Potatoes
Okra
Collards

Start Indoors 3

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

Cucumbers
Cucumbers
Feb 15 – Mar 1
2 per sq ft 50–70 days
Summer Squash
Summer Squash
Feb 15 – Mar 1
Winter Squash
Winter Squash
Feb 15 – Mar 1

Transplant 22

Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.

Plant now

Rosemary
Rosemary
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft 80–120 days
Thyme
Thyme
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft 70–90 days
Oregano
Oregano
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft 60–90 days
Sage
Sage
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft 75–90 days
Parsley
Parsley
Feb 15 – Mar 1
4 per sq ft 70–90 days
Broccoli
Broccoli
Feb 15 – Mar 1
1 per sq ft 60–100 days
Cauliflower
Cauliflower
Feb 15 – Mar 1
1 per sq ft 55–100 days
Cabbage
Cabbage
Feb 15 – Mar 1
1 per sq ft 70–100 days
Brussels Sprouts
Brussels Sprouts
Feb 15 – Mar 15
1 per sq ft 80–110 days
Kale
Kale
Feb 15 – Mar 1
1 per sq ft 50–65 days
Lettuce
Lettuce
Feb 15 – Mar 1
4 per sq ft 45–60 days
Collards
Collards
Feb 15 – Mar 1
Mint
Mint
Mar 1–8
4 per sq ft 60–90 days
Lavender
Lavender
Mar 1 – Apr 1
1 per sq ft 90–120 days
Tomatoes
Tomatoes
Mar 15 – Apr 1
1 per sq ft 65–80 days

Later this month

Basil
Basil
Mar 20 – Apr 5
4 per sq ft 25–35 days
Peppers
Peppers
Mar 20 – Apr 5
1 per sq ft 60–100 days
Cucumbers
Cucumbers
Mar 20 – Apr 5
2 per sq ft 50–70 days
Summer Squash
Summer Squash
Mar 20 – Apr 5
Winter Squash
Winter Squash
Mar 20 – Apr 5
Eggplant
Eggplant
Mar 25 – Apr 10
1 per sq ft 70–90 days
Okra
Okra
Mar 25 – Apr 10
1 per sq ft 50–65 days

Direct Sow 17

Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.

Plant now

Cilantro
Cilantro
Feb 1 – Mar 1
9 per sq ft 30–45 days
Lettuce
Lettuce
Feb 1 – Mar 15
4 per sq ft 45–60 days
Spinach
Spinach
Feb 1 – Mar 1
9 per sq ft 35–50 days
Carrots
Carrots
Feb 1 – Sep 1
16 per sq ft 70–80 days
Beets
Beets
Feb 1 – Apr 1
9 per sq ft 50–70 days
Radishes
Radishes
Feb 1 – Nov 1
16 per sq ft 22–30 days
Onions (sets)
Onions (sets)
Feb 1 – Mar 1
9 per sq ft 100–120 days
Kale
Kale
Feb 15 – Mar 1
1 per sq ft 50–65 days
Potatoes
Potatoes
Feb 15 – Mar 15
1 per sq ft 70–150 days
Dill
Dill
Mar 1 – Apr 15
4 per sq ft 40–60 days
Mint
Mint
Mar 1–8
4 per sq ft 60–90 days
Beans (bush)
Beans (bush)
Mar 15 – Aug 1
9 per sq ft 50–60 days
Beans (pole)
Beans (pole)
Mar 15 – Jul 1
Corn
Corn
Mar 15 – Jul 15
1 per sq ft 60–100 days

Later this month

Cucumbers
Cucumbers
Mar 20 – Jul 1
2 per sq ft 50–70 days
Summer Squash
Summer Squash
Mar 20 – Jul 1
Winter Squash
Winter Squash
Mar 20 – May 1

March Gardening Tips

  • Start Cucumbers, Summer Squash, Winter Squash 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 Corn, Lettuce, Kale straight into the garden — no transplanting needed.
  • Add compost to beds now so nutrients are available when planting time arrives.

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