What Plant in March

Let’s plant in March! Spring is just around the corner but it isn’t too early to think about the seeds you should plant in March! It is not too early to think about what you’ll be planting and getting your seeds ordered.

These vegetables, herbs and fruits will work for most people but if you’re in an area, like me, with extreme heat you’ll want to check out planting calendars for your zone.

If you’re in Phoenix I recommend using the calendar from the Maricopa Extension Office.

If you aren’t sure what planting zone you are in the USDA has a great interactive map for you. And you can just put in your zip code and it will tell you exactly what planting zone you are in.

Seeds You Should Plant in March

This list is going to work for most people but definitely check for your specific zone.

I always recommend using companion planting and crop rotation for best results in the garden.

Root Vegetable Seeds to Plant

• Beets – If your soil hasn’t consistently reached 50 degrees in March you’ll want to wait. Consider starting your seeds indoors and then transplant later. To help with germination Rodale’s suggests that you soak your seeds for a few hours before planting.
  Beet Seeds to Consider: Early Wonder, Boltardy, Detroit Golden
• Carrots – Carrots should be planted directly into the garden (don’t try to start them indoors). It is best to plant them about 4 weeks before the last frost. Here in Phoenix, carrots are a fall and winter crop.
  Carrot Seeds to Consider: Tendersweet, Danvers, Amarillo Yellow
  Be sure to see: How to Preserve Your Garden Carrots
• Onions – You can plant onion seeds, sets or beginning plants.
  Even though onions are a “root” crop Farmer’s Almanac recommends treating them like a leaf crop.
  Onion Seeds to Consider: Spanish Sweet, Evergreen Bunching, Red Burgundy
  Also see: How to Grow Scallions in Your Backyard

Leafy Green Vegetable Seeds You Can Plant in March

• Spinach – More of a cool weather veggie. Planting spinach in early March should give you plenty of time to harvest this tasty treat before the summer heat causes it to bolt. Plant 4 – 6 weeks before last frost.
  Spinach Seeds ton Consider: Bloomsdale, Noble Giant, Matador Viking
• Lettuce – Make sure your spring lettuce gets plenty of light but not all day; it won’t bolt as quickly if it has some shade too.
  Lettuce Seeds to Consider: Classic Romaine, Buttercrunch, All Year Round

Other Vegetable Seeds You Can Plant in March

• Broccoli – since this is often a fall veggie and likes cooler weather, plant a quick growing variety to ensure you have time to get a good head before summer. The hybrid (non gmo) Flash variety is said to be good for late crops.
  Broccoli Seeds to Consider: Di Cicco, Early Purple, Waltham
• Cabbage – Start your cabbage indoor about 7 weeks before your last frost.
  Cabbage Seeds to Consider: All Season, Red Acre, Savoy Perfection
• Corn – Start directly in garden, not indoors; in soil at least 60 degrees. Corn grown commercially is 90% GMO so it is important to plant and consume non-gmo corn.
  Corn Seeds to Consider: Bantam Sweet, Rainbow Corn, Fishers Earliest
  Also see – Everything You Need to Know About Growing Corn
• Cucumbers –  Make sure you choose a variety that fits your space (bush or vining).  Best to plant in the garden after the last frost has definitely happened.
  Cucumber Seeds to Consider: Marketer, Straight 8, Space Master
• Peas – Sow after your last frost. Peas won’t do well once it gets really hot so if you have a hotter climate you may want to wait on peas and grow them in the fall.
  Pea Seeds to Consider: Sugar Snap, Little Marvel, Sugar Ann
• Peppers – Peppers love the heat but you can start them in March, indoors, and transplant them later.
  Sweet Pepper Seeds to Consider: Banana, Chocolate Bell, Red Cherry
  Hot Pepper Seeds to Consider: Anaheim, Habanero Chocolate, Jalapeno
• Summer Squash – Another vegetable you can start indoors in March for transplanting later. Squash loves the sun and good drainage.
  Squash Seeds to Consider: Black Beauty, Scallop, Round de Nice
• Tomatoes – Here in Phoenix, my tomatoes are already 6 – 8 inches tall in March. But if you live in a colder climate you’ll want to start your tomatoes indoors and plant them outside when the frost has passed.
  Tomato Seeds to Consider: Homestead, Ponderosa Red, Rainbow Heritage
  See Tips for Growing Awesome Organic Tomatoes.

Fruit Seeds You Can Plant in March 

• Melons – I love growing melons because most like long hot summers (aka Phoenix). But you can start them inside in the March to get a head start on your summer garden.

Melon Seeds to Consider: Honey Rock, Sugar Baby, Crimson Sweet

Harvesting Watermelon

Herb Seeds You Can Plant

Many herbs love the warmer months or try growing them indoors!

See Culinary Seeds to Try

• Oregano
• Thyme
• Basil (Growing Basil Everything You Need To Know)
• Dill
• Sage

What to Plant in a Medicinal Garden

I hope this helps you get ready for your early Spring garden. What will you be planting?

More on Gardening

Starting Seeds & Using Transplants
Easy to Grow Vegetables
Flowers to Plant in Vegetable Gardens
How to Maximize Your Vegetable Garden Space
Where to Buy Heirloom Seeds

Guides on What to Plant by Month

April
May
June
July
August