What to Plant in March: The Complete Guide

Spring often comes quickly during the early months of the year, which is why you may be wondering what to plant in March. Depending on where you live and what you want to grow, this can be a particularly tricky month for seedlings and young plants. Unexpected frost conditions occur often throughout March, which can be a pain on top of the potential for seasonal allergies.

Determining what to plant in March is largely decided by your Hardiness Zone. If you live in Zones 1-5, you will likely only be growing seeds indoors or in a greenhouse. Some of these seeds may include broccoli, peppers, tomatoes, snapdragons, cabbage, and cucumbers. In other, more temperate Zones, many flowers can be directly sown outside such as zinnias, daisies, and begonias. Plus, peas and spinach are good to grow in March!

In this article, we’ll dive in and address everything you should know about planting flowers and vegetables during the month of March. We’ll go over some of the best options for you to try to grow, depending on your Hardiness Zone, and some tips as to how to best plant these plants. Let’s get started!

What to Plant in March: Flowers

During the month of March, spring has sprung in many locations in the United States. However, snow certainly persists in many northern Zones, making it difficult to anticipate when to sow your flower seeds. As much as we all want to see beautiful blooms during this month, some flowers are too delicate for such frigid temperatures! 

Hopefully you planted plenty of spring bulbs to make up for a lack of blooms in March. Most crocus, tulip, daffodil, and hyacinth bulbs should be starting to sprout. If you live in the right climate for it, here are some other flowers that you can plant during March!

Daisies

Nothing says springtime like daisies! Hardy in Zones 4-10, there are enough daisy varieties to spark your garden creativity. Shasta daisies and English daisies are incredibly popular when sown in the month of March, and you can get English daisies in a few different colors. Gerbera daisies need warmer temperatures on average, but you may be able to start them from seed indoors during March. 

These cheery blooms need full sun, but they thrive on very little water. Overall, so long as they like where they are, daisies are easy to grow and are capable of coming back year after year!

Zinnias

Most zinnia varieties are sensitive to frost, so plant these quick-growing flowers carefully, with a specific date in mind. Some Zones can handle directly-sowing zinnias during March, especially if you know your final frost date has passed. You can attempt to grow zinnias indoors or in a greenhouse, but be aware that these beauties don’t transplant well. 

Given the fact that it only takes two to three months for these flowers to fully bloom from seed, you may want to wait until the time is right! Many zinnias need full sunlight, just like daisies, and be sure to space them out once your seeds have started to sprout!

Snapdragons

Most people start their snapdragon flowers from seed indoors. They transplant well, but you may also have a cold-hardy variety in mind that allows you to directly sow your seeds. Speaking of varieties, snapdragons come in so many. From gorgeous double blooms that rival bulb flowers to petite and dwarf varieties, you can find a snapdragon for your garden.

Typically hardy in Zones 6-10, snapdragons thrive in full sun, though some varieties tolerate partial shade. Keep in mind that the taller the variety, the more likely it will need stakes or other support as the plant ages. However, snapdragons look beautiful in both containers and in borders or other ornamental gardens, so definitely consider these striking blooms!

Marigolds

If you didn’t plant your marigolds during the month of February, it’s definitely the time in March! So long as your soil is workable, sow your marigold seeds outdoors, directly into a garden bed or loose soil rather than a container. It may take warmer weather before you see true growth from these tiny seeds, but marigolds are survivors. They do well in many soil types and conditions so long as they have plenty of sunshine.

Some popular marigold types include French and African marigolds, with many more varieties found under both of these classifications. The primary difference between the two types is that French marigold plants and blooms tend to be smaller compared to African marigolds. Most African marigold varieties also take longer to bloom, needing more space to spread out. However, you can get beautiful double blooms and large flowers from either type!

What to Plant in March: Vegetables

Your garden bed may need tilling before you get your vegetables planted in March. In fact, your ground may still be too frozen to plant things directly outside! However, many vegetable plants work best when started indoors, especially during the month of March. Here are some of the most popular vegetables to consider planting during this time of year, indoors and out.

Tomatoes

You won’t be directly sowing tomato seeds outdoors during the month of March. However, this is one of the last months to start your tomatoes indoors from seed. While many people opt for an established plant from their local garden store, tomato seeds are extremely affordable. Plus, there are so many varieties of tomatoes that it can be incredibly fun to search for a type that speaks to you!

Peas

In direct opposition to tomatoes, all pea plants need to be directly sown outdoors, and March is the perfect time to do so. Depending on your Zone, March may be too late to sow peas, based on how sensitive they are to warm temperatures. However, when grown in full sun to partial shade and given proper support, your pea plants should still thrive when planted in March!

Cucumbers

Best started indoors, your Zone will greatly affect when you can plant cucumbers outdoors. In fact, all cucumbers grow best in warm soil, so you may not want to start your cucumbers indoors or out during March if you live in Zones 1-4. However, most other locations can start their cucumbers inside, in temperatures ranging from 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit. There are many different types and sizes of cucumber plants, with some capable of growing in containers!

Spinach

If you didn’t attempt to overwinter your spinach plants in a greenhouse or cold frame, it’s time to plant this easy crop! You can directly sow spinach seeds in a variety of containers, and you should see baby leaves sprouting as early as three or four weeks. Spinach plants need cold temperatures in order to properly germinate, so March is a perfect time for these healthy greens. Don’t attempt to transplant spinach, as it can get fiddly. Instead, directly sow your seeds and thin the leaves as the plants age!

Peppers

Just like your tomato plants, peppers should be started indoors during the month of March at the latest. These summer-loving crops need plenty of time to germinate before they get planted in warm soil, so know your Zone and how to best time your pepper plants. There are also countless different types of peppers, from the sweet to the spicy. You may enjoy shopping around for different types of pepper seeds!

Carrots

Most carrot varieties start slowing in growth and even tasting weird once soil temperatures reach 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit consistently, making them ideally sown in March. Depending on your region, carrots do best when planted during this month given their need for cold temperatures. Most people have success if they directly sow their carrot seeds roughly two or three weeks before their final frost date.

Broccoli

Just like carrots, broccoli also loves the cold! You can start broccoli seeds indoors or out as well, making this a flexible and delicious crop to consider. Another benefit of growing broccoli is the fact that the leaves are edible. This means that, should you choose to directly sow your seeds, you can eat the young shoots that you harvest as you thin your plants! Full sunshine is a must for broccoli, and fertilize your crops during their early growing days.

Cabbage

Depending on your region and the type of cabbage you want to grow, March can be a great time to start this crop indoors or out. Most cabbage works best when started indoors, roughly a month or two before your final frost date. Make sure to harden off your cabbage before transplanting outside, and you should transplant just before your final frost date arrives. Keep in mind that your cabbage plants may attract a variety of pests, so preventative measures should be anticipated.

What to Plant in March: Berries

Did you know that March is an optimum time for planting berry shrubs and plants? While you likely won’t grow most of your berry plants from seed, most garden centers and nurseries carry established berry plants or even dormant cuttings. Keep an eye out for these if you want thriving berry bushes in your yard!

Strawberries

Strawberries need a whopping 8-10 hours of direct sunlight each and every day, which may put a wrinkle in your garden plans. However, the better the spot you choose for these little guys, the sweeter the fruit will be! There are a number of different types of strawberries, from their colors to their sizes. Most strawberry plants produce offshoots throughout the year, and you can use these offshoots to keep your strawberry crop coming back year after year! Weeding around your strawberries is a must to keep them alive and properly fed.

Blackberries

Most gardeners choose to purchase blackberry vines or established plants from nurseries. No matter which you choose, you can plant your blackberries during March as soon as the soil can be tilled. Blackberries come in many different types, including vining and erect. However, they all do best in full sun, especially if you want large and sweet berries!

Raspberries

Just like blackberries, raspberries need full sun in order to produce en masse. However, some raspberry varieties can handle shady conditions, so keep this in mind. These berry plants are also a bit more delicate than blackberries. You should keep them away from harsh winds and maintain consistently moist soil without drowning them. Depending on the type, pruning and fertilizing your raspberry plants are a must. 

Blueberries

Unlike blackberries, blueberries are often grown with more success in a container setting. There are many different types of blueberries, some of which can handle freezing conditions. Full sun is perfect for blueberries as well as moist but not soggy soil. Add fertilizer once the plant has established itself, and make sure to protect your blueberries from birds and other pests accordingly!

Know Your Zone for Best Success!

Given just how temperamental the month of March can be depending on where you live, it’s important to be acquainted with your Hardiness Zone. Knowing when your average frost dates occur as well as paying attention to how the past few growing seasons have gone can be key to a successful garden.

Did your yard remain frozen well into the month of April last year? Do you live in a tricky Zone (such as Zones 8 and 5) and are feeling unsure about what to plant? While starting things indoors will always guarantee a successful start, planting things at the right time needs to happen to keep your seedlings thriving!

Practice makes perfect, and some years are more abnormal weather-wise than others. You can always chat with local garden centers or nurseries in your area to get some tips as to what plants and crops take best to the potentially chilly soil found during the month of March!

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