What To Plant In March

Are you wondering what to plant in March? I can hardly wait to get my hands in the soil; what about you? Now that we have moved north, we must start with new raised gardens.

It will be easier to grow food here, where the weather is more agreeable to gardening. Redoing everything this year will be a lot of work and expense, but I love to garden and go outside in the sunshine.

You may want a cold frame to protect your plants from frost or high winds. This is where I buy my garden seeds: SeedsNow

My friend Rick Stone, from Our Stoney Acres, is a gardening expert year-round. He even shows how to make a COLD FRAME!! He lives where it snows in the winter, so you know.

I highly recommend these for seedlings: CowPots and Organic Seedling Soil. This way, you plant your seeds and place the CowPots in your garden when the temperatures are correct. Check here to find your zone. Note: With the effects we’re seeing due to climate change, the zone information we’ve always relied upon has changed. If you have any questions, I suggest you check with your state’s extension service to see how they might classify your location.

How I store my garden seeds: 

Plastic Photo Container and Label Maker

What Does The Term pH Level Mean?

Are you wondering what the term pH level means in gardening? Each plant prefers a different level of acidity to grow the very best harvest.

Therefore, you can adjust the pH of your soil by adding lime or sulfur to raise or lower it, depending on its needs.

You can have your soil tested, possibly by your state extension service, or try to do it yourself with a soil tester. pH Tester

Soil Amendments

Improve your garden’s soil by adding a few inches of organic matter, such as grass clippings, decaying leaves, and manure. When your garden’s soil is fertile, your flowers and vegetables will grow better, so that should be more than enough reason to take this step.

We first need to pull any growing weeds since the last time you turned over the soil. We should also dig out any leftover crops you missed the last time you harvested.

Turn the soil several times and add the following amendments if necessary. You may remember that I have raised garden beds because I don’t want to bend down as far to work my garden anymore.

I’m adding two more raised beds this year because I urgently need to raise more food for my family. This is my favorite soil. I would check to see if you can buy it where you live. It’s fabulous!!

Azomite Micronized Bag, 44 lb

Coco Coir Block

Soil Builder Earthworm Castings

Organic Bone Meal

Organic Vermiculite

What to Plant in March By Zone

I recently realized that I mostly posted about what to plant each month based on where I lived, but not everyone lives here! So, I also wanted to share with you what to plant by zone. Remember that climate change has changed our weather; therefore, zones are not always accurate.

Zone 1-2

There isn’t much you can plant in zones 1 and 2 during March, but you can start a few things. Here are some you can try:

• Asparagus
• Celery
• Chives
• Endive
• Leeks
• Radishes

Zone 3

It’s probably still pretty chilly in Zone 3 during March, but there are additional items you can start planting. You can start with the following:

• Onions
• Tomato
• Cauliflower
• Cabbage
• Brussel Sprout Seeds

Zone 4

Zone 4 is a lot like Zone 3, so you can plant the same things and a few more. Here is a list:

• Peppers
• Egg Plants
• Onions
• Tomato
• Cauliflower
• Cabbage
• Brussel Sprout Seeds

Zone 5

In Zone 5, some things need to start indoors, whereas others can go straight into the garden. However, you will want to make sure you use cold frames to protect against any unexpected frost in Zone 5.

Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants must be started indoors and transplanted into your garden at the end of March or early April. Here is a list of things you can plant outdoors:

• Potatoes
• Peas
• Lettuce
• Radishes
• Carrots

Zone 6

It may not be the ideal time to start planting in Zone 6. However, if the weather is mild, you can plant roses, trees, and shrubs. Additionally, the following can be moved outdoors:

• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower

Zone 7

In Zone 7, the weather is milder, so you have a few more options for what you can plant in your garden. Be sure to plant the following around mid-month:

• Carrots
• Beets
• Kohlrabi
• Radishes
• Lettuce
• Turnips
• Swiss Chard

Additionally, you can transplant the following from indoors to outdoors:

• Onions
• Shallots
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Collards
• White potatoes
• Asparagus
• Chives
• Rosemary
• Thyme

Zone 8

Nights can still be chilly in Zone 8, so ensure you have row covers and windbreaks on hand. Plant the following in March:

• Spinach
• Turnips
• Mustard
• Beets
• Carrots
• Broccoli

In mid-month, you can begin planting the following:

• Corn
• Tomatoes
• Squash
• Peppers
• Cucumbers

Zone 9

Like Zone 8, you can plant quite a bit in Zone 9 because it is warm in March. It may be cool in the evenings. But, for the most part, you don’t have to worry much in zone 9. Here’s what you can plant:

• Cabbage
• Broccoli
• Spinach
• Radishes
• Asian Greens
• Lettuce
• Parsley

Additionally, you can move the following from indoors to outdoors in mid-March:

• Tomatoes
• Peppers
• Eggplants

Zone 10

It is pretty warm in Zone 10 during March. So, you can plant warm-weather plants at this time. Here is a list of what you can plant:

• Okra
• Sweet potatoes
• Mustard
• Collard greens
• Cucumbers
• Melons

What To Plant In March

I’m starting my seedlings right now inside my home. I have never bought the lights people use to keep their plants warm, and it always seems to work out.

I have a lot of good sunshine coming through our windows, which is a massive help in germinating these seeds. I only buy USDA Certified Organic Non-GMO seeds produced by professional growers.

1. Beets

When prepping the soil for planting beet seeds, please don’t neglect the needs of these red beauties. They prefer well-drained soil, never clay as I had in Southern Utah, which is too heavy for the large roots to grow.

If your soils are complex, the beets may become rigid and not be the best vegetable to cook and eat.

The temperature must be at least 40 degrees F. (4 C) to plant the seeds so they can germinate. Beets don’t like the hot weather and do poorly in the high temps.

When the soil is ready, plant the seeds 1 to 2 inches apart, cover them with soil, and sprinkle them with water. You will see a few sprouts in about 7 to 14 days.

Thin as needed to keep the roots a good size for harvesting. You may want to plant some beet seeds every 2-3 weeks for a good harvest for extended periods.

You can plant them in partial shade, but the soil depth must be 6-8 inches to produce excellent roots. The beets are ready to harvest in about 8 weeks.

When ready to dig them, gently remove the soil around each root. The greens can be harvested when the beets are young, and the root is small.

pH level for Beets: 6.0-7.5

2. Broccoli

Broccoli is a very hardy vegetable, and you can typically have two crops per season (spring and fall). It needs at least six hours of sunshine each day, so plant the seeds where they will get the proper sunlight.

Broccoli seeds need to be planted at least 18 inches apart and in rows that are 24 inches wide. If the rainfall doesn’t cover them, they need almost 1.5 inches of water per week.

The ideal temperature for broccoli is between 65 and 80 degrees. The soil must be well-drained for the best growth. To be sure about the soil, have it tested or purchase a soil kit.

Watch for the flower head beginning to form in the middle of the plant every day. If the buds start to turn yellow, cut the head from the stem. You will still see small shoots grow that are great to harvest.

pH level for Broccoli: 6.0-7.0

3. Carrots

Carrots like smooth, loamy soil with nutrients added, as shown above. I like to moisten the soil slightly, sprinkle the seeds over it, and cover them with compost.

Keep the rows about 3 inches apart and stagger, planting the seeds over two to three weeks to have an abundant harvest for the season.

Be careful if you live in intense heat, as carrots don’t like to dry out. If you water them by hand for two to three weeks after planting the seeds, you will soon see the little sprouts.

This is when you will fertilize with some Miracle-Gro Fertilizer and thin the carrots as needed. Use mulch to cover them if you live where the summers are extremely hot.

pH level for Carrots: 5.5-7.0

4. Cauliflower

Cauliflower is a cool-season crop; however, it’s a bit more temperamental than broccoli. The trick is having consistently cool temperatures to produce crops with larger heads like those grown in coastal neighborhoods.

Cauliflower likes temperatures around 60 degrees. If the temperatures get too hot or too cold, it stresses the plants and produces tiny buds.

Plant the seeds about 18 inches apart with rows 30 inches wide. Cover the seeds with soil and compost. Water the seeds gently.

When the cauliflower heads are about two inches in diameter, cover them with their leaves, if possible, to shade and protect them. Ideally, the head will grow to 6-7 inches in diameter.

pH level for Cauliflower: 5.5-7.5

5. Celery

Because celery seeds are so tiny, you may want to mix them with sand before sprinkling them over the loamy, well-drained soil described above with nutrients added.

The temperatures must be at least 50 degrees F. (10 C) before planting the seeds. Cover the seeds with soil and sprinkle them with water.

They like to be planted shallowly. Once you see some sprouts, you will want to thin them. They will not tolerate a drought at all.

They need a lot of water, so keep that in mind where you plant them. Please fertilize regularly to have the best harvest.

pH level for Celery: 5.8-7.0

6. Lettuce

Add the amendments above to the soil where you plant your lettuce seeds. Lettuce is easy to grow and sprouts up pretty fast.

Make sure the soil is loosened, loamy, and well-drained. Lettuce loves nitrogen and potassium, so watch the leaves as they start to grow.

Work in a lot of organic matter or compost. Lettuce matures in 55 to 60 days. Romaine takes longer to mature, and so do head lettuce types.

Plant the seeds about 1/4 inch deep, tamp them in the soil, and water them. Easy and simple. Read the package to space according to the lettuce you choose.

Seeds will not germinate in soils above 80 degrees F. or warmer. You can start some seeds indoors and transplant the seedlings into a shady spot when the weather is too hot outside.

You may want to choose heat-resistant varieties if you live where the temperatures get too hot in the summer. It’s better to pick early than late because the leaves become bitter.

pH level for Lettuce: 6.0-7.0

7. Onions

Plant the onion sets about one inch deep, with the bulb end facing down, about 5-6 inches apart. The onions’ growth will depend on how much sunshine they have.

“Long Day” onions need 10-14 hours of sun daily. “Short Day” onions need 10 hours of sunshine to grow correctly. “Day Neutral” onions will grow very well regardless of the hours of sun they have.

ONIONS: “Long Day”=Zone 6 and colder areas. “Short Day”=Zone 7 and warmer. “Day Neutral”=they can grow anywhere but perform better in zones 5 and 6. Consistent soil moisture and good fertilizer are key to growing the best onions.

pH level for Onions: 5.5-6.5

8. Peas

Peas prefer cool weather, so March is a good month to plant them. You can grow them as soon as you can work your soil. It is best if the soil temperatures are 10-20 degrees C or 50-70 degrees F.

The best time to sow peas is mid-February until the end of May. Depending on the heat, you can plant them again in July through mid-August.

If your soil is moist or damp, do not soak your peas; you don’t need to. I have never soaked my peas.

Make sure your soil has the amendments it needs. I prefer bush peas because they seem the sweetest.

My favorite ones are called Little Marvel. They only grow about two feet tall, and that works for me. They are sweet to the taste and can be harvested in about 60 days.

You may want to trellis them. Plant the seeds about 4-6 inches apart and 1/2 to 1 inch deep.

pH level for Peas: 6.0-7.5

9. Radishes

I like the radish called Red Champion because it is larger and has bright red skin. It grows in small areas, and the days to maturity are 25-30.

Another one I like is Pink Beauty because its white flesh is crisp and mild. It grows well in pots or containers, and its days to maturity are 25-30.

I sprinkle the seeds over the soil, do a slight soil coverup, and sprinkle with water. If you stagger the planting days, you will have several freshly picked radishes to harvest and enjoy.

pH level for Radishes: 6.0-7.0

10. Spinach

I plant New Zealand spinach seeds because they can withstand the heat of Southern Utah. It’s a large-growing plant, but I make salads and smoothies and freeze a lot of spinach for the year.

This spinach variety grows from spring to fall without any issues. The more I cut it back, the more it grows. It matures in 75 days.

Here again, make sure your soil has the amendments above it and that you turn the soil over again and again. Plant the seeds at least one foot apart and the rows two feet apart.

pH level for Spinach: 6.0-7.5

How To Hand Pollinate

All you need is a paintbrush or cotton swab (see above). If you need to hand pollinate because you are not seeing any fruit develop, here is something you may want to try. You do this by removing the male blossom (male blossoms don’t have fruit behind them). They produce pollen, leaving the center covered in the pollen to collect with the brush or swab. Use a brush or swab to apply the pollen you collected to the center of the female flower. This works for squash, melons, and cucumbers every time.

Please Check Out What To Plant Each Month:

• What To Plant In January
• What To Plant In February
• What To Plant In March
• What To Plant In April
• What To Plant In May
• What To Plant In June
• What To Plant In July
• What To Plant In August
• What To Plant In September
• What To Plant In October

Final Word

I hope today’s post about what to plant in March inspires you to start a garden if you haven’t already. You can try growing in the ground, pots, planter bags, and raised gardens.

Remember to look for community gardens in your area. They are great for getting to know your neighbors. I love Farmer’s Markets, but my gut tells me I need to grow food in my yard.

What are you thinking right now about raising your food? I wish I had more land, but that won’t happen. May God bless this world. Linda

Where I Buy My Seeds: SeedsNow

Copyright Images: Healthy Lettuce Deposit photos_6553021_s-2019, Pollination Artificial Depositphotos_6561815_S By DLeonis, Baby Spinach Depositphotos_5968897_S By Mirage3, Radishes In The Garden Depositphotos_74279029_S By OksanaYasiuchenia, Young Green Pea Plants Depositphotos_9938286_S By Muzsy, Onions In Vegtable Garden Depositphotos_5588487_S By Erierika, Lettuce Being Planted Depositphotos_59807659_S by Alexraths, Celery Leaves Depositphotos_3814864_S By Ksena32, Cauliflower In the Vegetable Garden Depositphotos_32133759_S By SlavicaPopovska, Lush Cabbage Broccoli in the Garden Depositphotos_50104863_S By Sever180, Fresh Beets Depositphotos_7524898_S By MonaMakela