What Plants Can I Plant in March? Best Flowers, Vegetables, and Herbs to Grow

March marks the start of spring and is an exciting month for gardening. With longer daylight hours and rising temperatures, it’s the perfect time to plant flowers, vegetables, and herbs for a thriving garden.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

✔️ What flowers to plant in March for a stunning display
✔️ Which vegetables and herbs to sow this month for a productive harvest
✔️ How to prepare your soil for planting
✔️ Tips to protect young plants from frost

Let’s explore what plants you can plant in March to maximize your garden’s potential! 🌸🌱

1. Flowers to Plant in March

March is a great time to plant hardy flowers that will bloom in spring and summer.

Hardy Annuals to Sow Outdoors in March

🌼 Pansies & Violas – Cold-tolerant and great for borders and pots.
🌷 Sweet Peas – Fragrant climbers that thrive when planted early.
🌸 Cornflowers – Attract pollinators and add vibrant color.
🌺 Nigella (Love-in-a-Mist) – Delicate flowers with stunning blue hues.

Perennials & Shrubs to Plant in March

🌿 Lavender – Low-maintenance and attracts bees.
🌼 Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan) – Bright golden flowers for late summer color.
🌺 Echinacea (Coneflower) – Great for wildlife gardens and long-lasting blooms.
🌷 Hardy Geraniums – Reliable, long-flowering plants for ground cover.

Tip: Water new plants well and mulch around perennials to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

2. Vegetables to Plant in March

March is the perfect time to plant hardy vegetables, either directly outdoors or started indoors.

Vegetables to Sow Outdoors in March

🥕 Carrots – Sow in well-drained soil for strong, straight roots.
🥬 Spinach & Lettuce – Fast-growing leafy greens for early harvests.
🥔 Potatoes – Plant early varieties for a June harvest.
🧅 Onions & Shallots – Hardy crops that establish well in cool temperatures.
🌱 Broad Beans – Thrive in the cooler weather of early spring.

Vegetables to Start Indoors or Under Cover

🌶 Peppers & Chillies – Need warmth, best started indoors.
🍅 Tomatoes – Start seeds indoors for transplanting outdoors later.
🥒 Cucumbers – Require a heated propagator for successful germination.
🌽 Sweetcorn – Best started in pots before being transplanted outside.

Tip: Cover seedlings with cloches or fleece to protect them from unexpected frosts.

3. Herbs to Plant in March

March is ideal for growing herbs, whether in pots, raised beds, or directly in the garden.

🌿 Basil – Needs warmth, best started indoors.
🌱 Parsley – Hardy and easy to grow in containers or garden beds.
🌿 Coriander – Thrives in cooler spring weather.
🌿 Chives – A perennial herb that’s great for garnishing dishes.
🌱 Thyme – Drought-resistant and grows well in containers and garden borders.

Tip: Start tender herbs indoors before transplanting them outside in late spring.

4. Preparing Your Soil for Planting in March

For the best plant growth, it’s important to prepare your soil properly before planting.

✔️ Turn over the soil to aerate and break up compaction.
✔️ Add compost or well-rotted manure to enrich the soil with nutrients.
✔️ Mulch around perennials and shrubs to retain moisture.
✔️ Test soil pH and adjust if needed.

Tip: Cover empty beds with black plastic or fleece to warm the soil before planting.

5. Protecting Plants from Late Frosts

March can still bring cold nights, so protect your young plants from frost damage.

✔️ Use fleece or cloches to cover seedlings overnight.
✔️ Move potted plants to sheltered areas if frost is forecast.
✔️ Mulch around plant roots to insulate against temperature drops.
✔️ Water in the morning to prevent freezing overnight.

Tip: Keep an eye on the weather forecast and cover delicate plants when temperatures drop.

FAQs: What Plants Can I Plant in March?

Can I plant potatoes in March?
✔️ Yes! March is the perfect time to plant early and maincrop potatoes for a summer harvest.

What flowers can I plant in March?
✔️ Pansies, sweet peas, cornflowers, and lavender are great options for early planting.

Should I start tomatoes indoors in March?
✔️ Yes! Tomatoes need warmth, so they should be started indoors before being transplanted outdoors in late spring.

Can I plant herbs outside in March?
✔️ Hardy herbs like parsley, chives, and thyme can be planted outdoors. Tender herbs like basil should be started indoors.

How do I protect plants from frost in March?
✔️ Use fleece, mulch, or cloches to cover young plants during cold nights.

Final Thoughts: What Plants Can I Plant in March?

✔️ Plant hardy flowers and perennials to brighten up your garden.
✔️ Sow vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and onions for a strong harvest.
✔️ Start tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers indoors for transplanting later.
✔️ Plant herbs like parsley, chives, and coriander for fresh flavors.
✔️ Prepare soil and protect plants from frost for the best growing conditions.

March is the perfect month to kickstart your gardening season with a variety of flowers, vegetables, and herbs. A little effort now will lead to beautiful blooms and a bountiful harvest later in the year! 🌸🌱

What are you planting this March? Share your gardening plans in the comments!

Now you’re ready to start planting in March and enjoy a fantastic growing season! 🌸🌱 Let me know if you have any questions! 🚀