What to Plant in March: Gardening Tips for Early Spring

In many areas across America, the mild days of March make it the perfect time to start planting your spring garden. However, if you live in a cooler climate, all isn’t lost. You can still start the planning process and begin growing seeds indoors until it’s warm enough to transplant them outside. In some hotter areas like the Southwest, planting can begin even earlier. Not sure what to plant and when? Enter your ZIP Code to see a planting calendar for your area.

If your yard isn’t quite ready for spring planting yet, use these tips to get your garden into shape.

Growing from Seeds

Many flowers and vegetables, especially those you want in large numbers, are easiest grown from seeds. In warmer climates, you can sow them directly in your garden. In cooler regions, sow them indoors and then transplant them outside to your garden bed after the risk of the last frost has passed.

Flowers to Grow from Seeds

Below is a list of popular annuals that are easy to grow from seeds. Some of them, such as cosmos, nigellas, and poppies, will even self-sow, meaning you don’t need to plant them yearly. Others, including sweet peas, sunflowers, and marigolds, have seeds that are easy to collect and save for the next year. 

Note that a few of these flowers below (marked with an *) can be toxic to humans and pets, so be mindful when choosing which ones to plant in your yard:

Cornflower

Petite blooms resemble miniature carnations, commonly in vivid blue flowers (although you can find some with pink, white, and scarlet blooms).

Cosmos

Daisy-like flowers in various colors, including pink, orange, red and yellow, white, and maroon, with some varieties reaching up to six feet tall.

Marigold*

Fragrant blossoms in vibrant yellow, orange, and red shades that attract beneficial pollinating insects while repelling bothersome pests from your garden.

Nasturtium

These fast-growing, delicate flowers are ideal for ground cover or adding color to arches or trellises. They are also commonly used as garnish on salads and in cocktails.

Nigella*

Enchanting, hearty bloom with an airy, delicate foliage resembling tiny fairy lanterns. (“Nigella” comes from the Latin word for black, referring to the black seeds.)

Poppy*

Crepe paper-like petals in shades of orange, red, pink, purple, and more, with showy blooms that are naturally deer and rabbit-resistant.

Snapdragon

Cone-shaped blooms in almost every color imaginable, with some varieties reaching four feet tall, ideal for flowerbeds, hanging baskets, and containers.

Sunflower

Heat-tolerant, sun-loving flowers, commonly bright yellow, are very attractive to pollinators. Some varieties can reach up to 12 feet high and 3 feet wide.

Sweet Pea*

Fragrant, delicate tendrils in a wide range of colors, with a climbing variety well-suited for hanging baskets, tall containers, or atop fences and lattices.

Vegetables to Grow from Seed

Although you can grow all vegetables from seeds, some of the best options for your March garden include root veggies like beets, radishes, and carrots; cucumbers; greens such as lettuce, spinach, collards, and Swiss chard; and squash of all varieties, including everything from acorn squash to zucchini. Some vegetables, however, like spinach, carrots, and beets, don’t like to be transplanted, so it makes sense to grow these from seeds directly in your garden. Peppers and tomatoes are easy to start from seeds, typically indoors, until they’re big enough to survive outside.

Growing from Seedlings and Bulbs

Growing from Seedlings

Planting from seedlings or starts can help you get a jump on the growing season, especially when you’re growing plants like tomatoes, peppers, and melons that need time to mature. Keep in mind that you may not need multiple plants for all types of veggies and fruits that you want to grow, especially for most types of squash and melons. If you only want to plant a few of one type, it’s a good idea to visit your local nursery, where you can buy a variety of young plants.

Growing Herbs from Seeds

Most herbs are easy to grow in sunny areas with decent soil. They can generally be grown from seeds or seedlings and are low-maintenance and hardy in milder climates. If poor soil or drainage is an issue, consider planting your herbs in containers. Make sure you plant them in a sunny, easily accessible spot.

Start with those herbs you use the most. Try parsley, basil, oregano, thyme, dill, sage, or rosemary. With proper care, you can enjoy these herbs throughout the year. Mint is also great to have at hand, but it will take over planting beds, so make sure you plant it in a container. Cilantro is fun to have around, but it can bolt quickly in warm climates. It can be helpful to plant cilantro over several weeks to stretch your harvest.

Growing Summer Flower Bulbs

It’s hard to go wrong with summer bulbs. While not as foolproof as spring bulbs you plant in winter, summer bulbs are also fairly easy to grow. If there’s no more chance for frost in your area, March is the time to plant summer-blooming bulbs, including allium, calla, and canna lilies, dahlias, gladiolus, and irises. If you don’t have a spot in your garden, bulbs do well in containers. To help you plan ahead, the table below shows you when different bulbs bloom and how long they typically last.

Allium

Late spring/early summer and last about a month

Calla Lily

Late spring/early summer and last about two months

Canna Lily

Late spring and last through the summer

Dahlia

Late summer and last until late fall

Gladiolus

Early summer and last about three months

Iris

Mid-spring and last through the summer

Enjoying Your March Garden

As you can see, when it comes to deciding what to plant in March, there’s a lot to choose from. Whether you’re growing from seeds, seedlings, or bulbs, creating a vibrant, peaceful, and fragrant-filled garden filled with color and charm can be a rewarding experience you’ll enjoy year-round.

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The contents of this article are provided for general guidance only. First American Home Warranty does not assume any responsibility for losses or damages as a result of using this information.