March is a pivotal time for gardeners. As the chill of winter subsides and the warmth of spring begins to take hold, it signals the start of a new growing season. For those eager to cultivate a vibrant and productive garden, March offers the perfect opportunity to get ahead with both vegetables and flowers. In this article, we’ll explore the 17 must-plant vegetables and flowers that will set your garden up for success. Whether you’re growing food or enhancing your garden’s aesthetics, these selections will thrive in early spring, ensuring a fruitful and colorful growing season.
Why March is the Perfect Month for Planting
March is often the transitional month where temperatures start to rise, and days become longer. It offers the ideal conditions for cool-season crops that can withstand chilly nights and mild days. It’s also a time to plant early flowers that will bloom in spring, providing beauty and attracting pollinators to your garden.
By getting your seeds and transplants in the ground this month, you’ll take full advantage of the growing season, ensuring that your vegetables and flowers have plenty of time to mature before the heat of summer arrives. Let’s dive into the 17 essential plants you should be sowing in March.
1. Lettuce: The Crisp Salad Staple
Lettuce is one of the easiest and most rewarding vegetables to plant in March. It’s fast-growing and perfect for cooler temperatures, which makes it thrive during early spring. Whether you prefer loose-leaf, romaine, or butterhead varieties, lettuce can be sown directly in your garden or started indoors for transplanting.
Lettuce thrives in partial shade and moist soil, so keep it well-watered and harvest young leaves regularly to encourage continuous growth.
2. Spinach: Nutrient-Packed Superfood
Spinach is another cool-weather crop that excels when planted in March. This leafy green is packed with vitamins and minerals, and its versatility makes it a must-have in any kitchen garden. Like lettuce, spinach prefers cooler temperatures and will bolt (go to seed) once it gets too hot.
Plant spinach seeds directly into the soil in early March and enjoy harvesting the tender leaves within a few weeks. You can also succession plant spinach every two weeks for a constant supply.
3. Carrots: Sweet and Crunchy Delight
Carrots thrive in cooler weather and are ideal for early spring planting. March is the perfect time to sow carrot seeds directly in the garden. Make sure the soil is loose, well-drained, and free of rocks to allow for the straight growth of roots.
Carrots take a little longer to mature than some other crops, but with patience, you’ll be rewarded with crisp, sweet roots by early summer. Consider growing varieties like Nantes or Danvers for exceptional flavor.
4. Peas: Early Spring Favorite
Peas are cool-season crops that can handle the chill of March without any issues. Whether you choose sugar snap peas, snow peas, or shelling peas, these legumes will provide you with an abundant harvest when planted early.
Plant pea seeds directly into the garden once the soil is workable, and give them something to climb on like a trellis or stakes. Peas not only taste great, but they also improve soil quality by fixing nitrogen, making them a valuable addition to any garden.
5. Radishes: Quick-Growing and Delicious
Radishes are one of the fastest-growing vegetables, making them a great choice for impatient gardeners. By planting them in March, you can have fresh, crunchy radishes ready for harvest in just three to four weeks.
They thrive in cooler weather and can be planted directly into the ground. Radishes don’t require much space, so they’re perfect for small garden beds or container gardens. Regular watering will help prevent them from becoming too spicy.
6. Beets: Versatile and Nutritious
Beets are another excellent vegetable to plant in March. Not only do you get the root vegetable, but the beet greens are also edible and packed with nutrients. Beets grow well in cool temperatures and can be harvested when the roots are about 2-3 inches in diameter.
Beets prefer well-drained, slightly acidic soil and full sunlight. Regular watering will ensure a smooth and tender crop. Planting in March will give beets time to develop their signature sweetness before the summer heat sets in.
7. Broccoli: The Spring Super Veggie
Broccoli is a nutritional powerhouse and thrives in the cool temperatures of early spring. It’s best to start broccoli indoors in February and transplant seedlings into the garden in March. Broccoli requires full sun and rich soil to produce large, flavorful heads.
Keep the plants well-watered and mulched to retain moisture and encourage healthy growth. With the right care, you’ll have a bountiful broccoli harvest by late spring or early summer.
8. Cauliflower: Cool-Weather Crop
Like broccoli, cauliflower is a cool-season crop that does well when planted in March. This vegetable can be a little finicky but rewards you with creamy, dense heads when grown correctly.
Start cauliflower seeds indoors or transplant young plants into the garden. Cauliflower thrives in rich, well-drained soil and prefers consistent moisture. Protect the heads from sun exposure by loosely tying the leaves over them (a process known as blanching).
9. Kale: Hardy and Nutritious
Kale is one of the hardiest vegetables you can grow, and it thrives in cool temperatures. It’s a great crop to plant in March, as it can withstand frosts and even improve in flavor after exposure to cold.
Plant kale seeds or transplants in full sun and keep the soil well-watered. Kale can be harvested at any stage, from tender baby leaves to fully mature leaves, giving you a continuous supply throughout the season.
10. Onions: Essential Kitchen Ingredient
Onions are a staple in almost every kitchen, and planting them in March gives them plenty of time to mature. Onions can be grown from seeds, sets, or transplants.
Plant onion sets or seeds in well-drained soil in a sunny spot, spacing them a few inches apart. Onions are heavy feeders, so be sure to amend the soil with compost or fertilizer. As they grow, mound soil around the base of the plants to encourage bulb formation.
11. Potatoes: March is Prime Time
March is the perfect time to plant seed potatoes. Potatoes prefer cool, moist soil, and they will thrive when planted early in the season.
Cut seed potatoes into pieces, making sure each piece has at least one “eye,” and plant them in deep trenches. As the plants grow, mound soil around them to protect the developing tubers from sunlight and encourage higher yields.
12. Marigolds: Pest-Repelling Power
Marigolds are a gardener’s best friend, as they not only add vibrant color to your garden but also repel pests like aphids and nematodes. These hardy flowers can be planted in March and will continue blooming throughout the growing season.
Plant marigolds among your vegetable crops for natural pest control, and enjoy their bright, cheerful blooms.
13. Pansies: Cold-Tolerant Beauties
Pansies are one of the few flowers that can tolerate cold weather, making them perfect for March planting. They come in a variety of colors and will brighten up your garden beds or containers.
Plant pansies in full sun or partial shade, and they will reward you with blooms well into summer.
14. Snapdragons: Early Spring Bloomer
Snapdragons are early bloomers that add height and color to your garden. They thrive in cool weather and can be planted in March for a stunning spring display.
Snapdragons prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Regular deadheading will encourage more blooms throughout the season.
15. Calendula: Beautiful and Beneficial
Calendula, also known as pot marigold, is both beautiful and useful. Its petals are edible and have medicinal properties. Calendula can be planted in March and will provide bright orange or yellow blooms.
It’s also a natural companion plant, attracting beneficial insects and deterring pests.
16. Sweet Peas: Fragrant Climbers
Sweet peas are fragrant, climbing flowers that add vertical interest to your garden. Plant sweet pea seeds in March, and give them something to climb on, like a trellis or fence.
Their delightful fragrance and beautiful blooms make them a favorite among gardeners.
17. Daffodils: Symbol of Spring
Daffodils are one of the earliest spring bloomers and a symbol of the season. Plant daffodil bulbs in March, and they will reward you with bright, cheerful blooms.
Daffodils are easy to grow and require minimal care, making them a great addition to any garden.
Conclusion
March is the ideal time to kickstart your garden with these 17 must-plant vegetables and flowers. From nutrient-rich greens like spinach and kale to vibrant flowers like marigolds and snapdragons, these plants will set the stage for a thriving garden all season long. Get planting today and watch your garden come to life!
Ready to start your garden? What will you plant this March? Share your gardening journey!