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I get a lot of messages asking what you can plant in March, so here are some great tips to help you along and get the amazing spring garden you have always wanted!
It’s the perfect time to start working on your spring gardening plans, even though spring doesn’t officially start until much later in the month.
Much of the United States still has to contend with cold weather spells in March, but for the Southern portions of the country, things are already starting to heat up.
For many parts of the U.S., Spring has already sprung or is just around the corner. It’s an exciting time for gardeners.
MID-ATLANTIC REGION
While frost is still an issue in March, hardy annuals such as Alyssum, Dianthus, and Viola can still go out before the last expected frost.
Hold off on planting your summer bulbs and tubers until the soil warms up and dries, and plant shrubs when the ground warms.
You’ll also want to wait on planting vegetables and fruits until the danger of frost has passed and the ground is no longer frozen and is actually workable. If you have roses in your garden, prune them before buds break.
MIDWEST REGION
Frost is also an issue in many Midwestern states during the month of March, so you’ll want to start growing your seeds indoors.
You can also cut back grasses and finish pruning shrubs. Start spraying fruit trees.
NORTHEAST REGION
It’s still rather cold in the Northeast in March, so like in the Midwest, you’ll want to start your warm-season seeds indoors and keep an eye on plant crowns that might have heaved out of the ground during a thaw.
Towards the end of the month, as it warms up, you can start removing mulch.
PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION
March in the Pacific Northwest is conducive to starting your seeds of greens indoors.
Things you can do to start preparing your garden include: deadheading early bloomers; continuing to mulch; diligently hunting slugs; and setting out your apple maggot traps. At the end of the month, you can plant peas.
SOUTHEAST REGION
Unlike the northern parts of the country, in the southeast, you can start actually planting things in the ground.
This is an excellent time to plant cool-season vegetables such as lettuce, peas, root veggies, cabbage, broccoli, chard, and greens.
You can also plant cool-season flowers and berry bushes. Cool-season greens and root crops (carrots, onions, beets, radishes, and turnips) can be planted directly outdoors.
Seeds of warm-season vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant should be started indoors at this time.
SOUTHWEST REGION
The Southwestern portion of the U.S. can also start planting things outdoors beginning in March, but freezes are still possible, so you’ll want to keep covers on hand.
Start out by pulling back your mulch so that the soil can warm up. You can start planting your summer bulbs, as well as beets, greens, lettuce, potatoes, and corn.
Indoors, you’ll want to start growing your eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, squash, and melons—it’s still a little too cold for them.
SOME REGIONAL EXCEPTIONS:
FLORIDA
It’s tropical season in Florida right now, so for the most part, you’re safe. Cold spells can happen on occasion, so keep prepared.
At this time, you can begin replacing cool-weather annuals with summer annuals and start putting your perennials in the ground so they can establish themselves. Plant your warm-season crops before it gets too hot.
You should have already started growing your citrus trees in containers; now you can transplant those outdoors. Established citrus trees can be fertilized now, but you should wait 4 to 6 weeks to feed newly planted ones.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
In Northern California, March is the time to start planting summer-blooming bulbs and tubers.
You’ll also want to prune old growth off the bougainvillea, plant potatoes, and fertilize trees and shrubs. Feed your roses, harden them, and set out seedlings. It’s a great time to start gardening!
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
If you haven’t done it already, start your seeds. It’s also time to spray fruit trees and divide fall-blooming perennials. Start scouting for slugs and snails.
HAWAII
Hawaii is a year-round gardening paradise. At this time of the year, you’ll want to continue mulching and start feeding your gardenias. It’s also time to sow a cover crop.
ALASKA
While many people think of Alaska as perpetually snowy, it actually has four seasons and gets warm.
March, however, is still on the cold side, so it’s best to start your seeds indoors right now. You can also check on your rhubarb; it could be up.
