What to Plant in March
USDA Zone 9a
Last frost: Feb 1 – Feb 15
Frost-free days: 250–300
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
Dill
Rosemary
Thyme
Oregano
Sage
Mint
Lemongrass
Tomatoes
Peppers
Eggplant
Beans (bush)
Beans (pole)
Cucumbers
Summer Squash
Winter Squash
Corn
Carrots
Radishes
Sweet Potatoes
Watermelon
Okra
Southern Peas
Transplant 16
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Rosemary
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
80–120 days
Thyme
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Oregano
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Sage
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Tomatoes
Feb 15 – Mar 15
1 per sq ft
65–80 days
Basil
Feb 20 – Mar 15
4 per sq ft
25–35 days
Peppers
Feb 20 – Mar 15
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Eggplant
Feb 20 – Mar 15
1 per sq ft
70–90 days
Cucumbers
Feb 20 – Mar 15
2 per sq ft
50–70 days
Summer Squash
Feb 20 – Mar 15
Winter Squash
Feb 20 – Mar 15
Lemongrass
Mar 1–28
Watermelon
Mar 1 – Apr 1
¼ per sq ft
70–90 days
Okra
Mar 1–15
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Sweet Potatoes
Mar 15 – May 1
1 per sq ft
90–120 days
Direct Sow 13
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Plant now
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Beans (bush)
Feb 15 – Apr 15
9 per sq ft
50–60 days
Beans (pole)
Feb 15 – Apr 1
Corn
Feb 15 – Apr 15
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cucumbers
Mar 1 – Apr 15
2 per sq ft
50–70 days
Summer Squash
Mar 1 – Apr 15
Winter Squash
Mar 1 – Apr 1
Watermelon
Mar 15–22
¼ per sq ft
70–90 days
Okra
Mar 15 – Jul 1
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Southern Peas
Mar 15 – Aug 1
Later this month
Carrots
Sep 1 – Mar 1
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
Radishes
Sep 1 – Apr 1
16 per sq ft
22–30 days
Dill
Oct 1 – Mar 1
4 per sq ft
40–60 days
March Gardening Tips
- Watermelon, Eggplant, Sweet Potatoes can be transplanted outside this month. Harden off seedlings over 5–7 days before planting out.
- Direct sow Corn, Watermelon, Mint straight into the garden — no transplanting needed.
- Add compost to beds now so nutrients are available when planting time arrives.
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