Vegetables You Can Plant in March (50+ Vegetables To Grow)
March is the month when the garden wakes up. Plant over 50 vegetables this month, from cold‑hardy peas and spinach to warm‑weather tomatoes and peppers started indoors. This guide covers direct sowing, indoor starting, and herbs for a full spring garden. #MarchGarden #SpringPlanting #VegetableGardening #GrowYourOwnFood #DIYGarden
March is the month when the garden wakes up. The soil is starting to warm, the days are getting longer, and there is so much you can start planting. Over the years, I have learned that getting seeds in the ground early gives you a huge advantage. It is the secret to beating the summer heat and enjoying fresh food for months.
This is a huge list. I have put together over 50 vegetables you can plant this month, whether you are sowing them directly in the ground or starting them indoors.
The Simple Rule for March Planting
Before you grab your seeds, remember this one rule. It makes everything easier.
- Cold‑hardy vegetables can go straight into the ground in March.
- Warm‑weather vegetables need to be started indoors and transplanted after the last frost.
The list below is split into exactly those two groups, so you know exactly what to do.
Vegetables to Sow Directly Outdoors in March
These are the tough ones. They can handle cooler soil and light frosts. This is the list I use to get my garden started early.
| Vegetable | Key Info |
|---|---|
| Peas | Classic March crop. Germinate in soil as low as 40°F |
| Spinach | Cold‑hardy and produces sweet leaves before summer heat |
| Lettuce | All types: loose‑leaf, romaine, and butterhead. Perfect for cool weather |
| Radishes | Among the fastest vegetables. Ready in 3‑4 weeks |
| Carrots | Grow best when direct sown. Cool weather helps them develop sweetness |
| Beets | Tolerate early spring temperatures well |
| Arugula | Fast‑growing and thrives in cooler temperatures |
| Turnips | Hardy root vegetables for early planting |
| Kale | Extremely frost‑tolerant. A staple for early spring gardens |
| Swiss Chard | Productive and handles cooler conditions |
| Onion Sets | Plant these small bulbs directly in the ground |
| Potatoes | Plant early varieties now for a summer harvest |
| Broad Beans | Hardy and can be sown directly outdoors |
| Parsnips | Need a long season. Sow directly in March |
| Leeks | Can be direct sown in mild areas |
| Kohlrabi | A fast‑growing brassica for cool weather |
| Summer Cabbage | Direct sow for a summer harvest |
| Summer Cauliflower | Start early for a summer crop |
| Broccoli | Direct sow in mild areas |
| Swiss Chard | Great for early sowing |
| Corn Salad | A hardy green for early sowing |
| Land Cress | Tolerates cool conditions |
| Jerusalem Artichokes | Plant tubers in March |
| Asparagus | Plant crowns this month |
| Rhubarb | Plant perennial crowns now |
Vegetables to Start Indoors in March
These plants need warmth to get started. I start them inside and move them out when the weather warms up.
| Vegetable | Key Info |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Most popular March indoor start. Need warmth to germinate |
| Peppers | Need about 3 months to mature. Start early indoors |
| Chillies | Long season. March is the last call to start them indoors |
| Eggplant (Aubergine) | Start indoors now for a summer harvest |
| Cucumbers | Start indoors for transplanting after frost |
| Celery | Slow to germinate. Start indoors in March |
| Globe Artichokes | Start seeds indoors |
| Melons | Start indoors in warm zones |
| Sweet Peppers | Start indoors now |
| Cauliflower | Start indoors for a later transplant |
Herbs to Plant in March
Herbs are some of the easiest things to grow. Here are the ones I recommend for March.
| Herb | Key Info |
|---|---|
| Parsley | Sow outdoors or start indoors |
| Chives | Hardy and easy to grow |
| Cilantro (Coriander) | Thrives in cooler weather |
| Thyme | Hardy perennial herb |
| Rosemary | Plant now for a head start |
| Sage | Perennial herb for March planting |
| Oregano | Good to sow in March |
| Lemon Balm | Fragrant perennial |
| Mint | Hardy and spreads quickly. Keep it contained |
My Personal March Planting Routine
Here is what I actually do in my garden during March. You can copy this.
Early March:
- I check my soil. If it is not too wet, I start planting peas and spinach.
- I start tomato and pepper seeds indoors under a grow light.
Mid‑March:
- I plant onion sets and early potatoes.
- I sow lettuce, radishes, and carrots directly in the ground.
Late March:
- I plant kale, Swiss chard, and beets.
- I start cucumber and melon seeds indoors.
Quick Reference Table: 50+ Vegetables at a Glance
| Group | Vegetables |
|---|---|
| Direct Sow Outdoors | Peas, Spinach, Lettuce, Radishes, Carrots, Beets, Arugula, Turnips, Kale, Swiss Chard, Onion Sets, Potatoes, Broad Beans, Parsnips, Leeks, Kohlrabi, Summer Cabbage, Summer Cauliflower, Broccoli, Corn Salad, Land Cress, Jerusalem Artichokes, Asparagus, Rhubarb |
| Start Indoors | Tomatoes, Peppers, Chillies, Eggplant, Cucumbers, Celery, Globe Artichokes, Melons, Sweet Peppers, Cauliflower |
| Herbs | Parsley, Chives, Cilantro, Thyme, Rosemary, Sage, Oregano, Lemon Balm, Mint |
The Bottom Line
March is one of the most exciting months in the garden. The soil is waking up, and you can finally start planting. Cold‑hardy vegetables go straight into the ground. Warm‑weather vegetables start indoors. Herbs can be sown outdoors or started inside.
I have been planting in March for years, and it never gets old. The first tiny green sprouts pushing through the cool soil are a reminder that a new season has begun. Pick a few vegetables from this list, get your hands dirty, and enjoy the start of your growing season.
