March is for planting! Yay! Spring is here in Texas! In our garden, we plan to make sure there are plants to provide food for insects and wildlife. Bees, butterflies and ladybugs love blooms on rosemary, basil, parsley, cilantro and dill. Swallowtail larvae feed on fennel and dill. Milkweed is vital for monarchs.
Spring is here in Texas, and gardeners everywhere are itching to get their hands in the soil and start planting. March is the perfect time to kickstart your vegetable garden and create your own little piece of paradise. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a complete novice, this article is your ultimate guide to the must-have plants for a bountiful harvest.
From vibrant peppers and crisp lettuces to juicy tomatoes and aromatic herbs, the possibilities are endless when it comes to what you can grow in your March garden. With the right planning and preparation, you can enjoy a wide variety of fresh, homegrown produce all season long.
So, get ready to spring forward and transform your garden into a vegetable paradise. Let’s dive in and discover the March garden must-haves that will make your taste buds really enjoy themselves.
Planting in Various Zones
It is important to loosen soil and add compost and soil amendments. Work to control weeds, check for any diseases or pests on your current plants and renew mulch where it’s needed. In zones 5-6, prune grapes and fruit trees. In zones 9-10, prune and feed citrus trees.
You can start many things indoors. In zone 4, sow broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, okra, onions and tomatoes. In zone 5-6 start peppers, tomatoes and eggplants indoors.
Let the Kids Help!
Kids love to help plant things outdoors too! You’d be surprised what they can do. In zones 5-6 plant peas and potatoes. In zone 7-10 plant chard in an area with afternoon shade. Plant beets, carrots, kohlrabi, radishes, lettuce, turnips and spinach. Plant transplants of peppers, tomatoes, eggplants. Provide protection if temps get below 45 degrees. Begin planting corn, squash, cucumbers and beans.
March is a great time to start container gardening in Zone 8b, as the last frost date is typically in mid to late March. Here’s how you can get started:
1. Choosing the Right Containers
- Use pots with drainage holes to prevent root rot.
- Select at least 12-inch deep containers for most vegetables and flowers.
- Consider self-watering containers for easier maintenance.
2. Best Crops to Plant in March
March is perfect for cool-season crops, but as the month progresses, you can start some warm-season plants as well.
Vegetables:
- Leafy Greens: Lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, kale
- Herbs: Cilantro, parsley, thyme, oregano, chives
- Root Vegetables: Radishes, carrots, beets, green onions
- Peas: Sugar snap and snow peas
- Brassicas: Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage
Later in March, you can start warm-season veggies like tomatoes, peppers, and bush beans, especially if you can bring them inside on cold nights or use row covers.
Flowers & Pollinators:
- Marigolds, pansies, petunias, and violas
- Nasturtiums (great for both beauty and edible use!)
- Calendula (medicinal and good for pollinators)
3. Best Soil Mix for Containers
Use high-quality potting mix (not garden soil) with good aeration and moisture retention. A mix of:
- 50% potting soil
- 25% compost (adds nutrients)
- 25% perlite or vermiculite (improves drainage)
4. Watering & Maintenance
- Water consistently but avoid soggy soil. Most containers need watering every 1-2 days as temperatures rise.
- Mulch (straw, shredded leaves, or bark) helps retain moisture and prevent weeds.
- Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with organic compost tea or balanced organic fertilizer.
5. Protecting Plants from Temperature Swings
- Use frost cloths or bring pots inside on nights below 40°F.
- Harden off seedlings if you started them indoors by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions.
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