🌱 Smart March Planting Guide: What to Grow for a Thriving Spring Garden

Hey Team Growers, James and Tuck here! 🌿 March is upon us, and it’s one of the most exciting times of the year for gardeners. This is when our gardens come alive with promise and potential. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting your gardening journey, March is the perfect time to get your hands in the dirt and start planting the crops that will set you up for a thriving summer.

In this Smart March Planting Guide, we’ll cover the best crops to plant in March, how to plant them, and insider tips to maximize your success. From juicy tomatoes to leafy greens and vibrant flowers, this guide will give you the confidence to grow a garden full of healthy, productive plants.

So, let’s dive in and make this March your most successful planting season yet!

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🍅 Tomatoes: The All-Time Favorite

Tomatoes are the crown jewel of any garden. Whether you love sweet cherry tomatoes, meaty beefsteaks, or colorful heirlooms, March is the ideal time to start them indoors.

✅ When to Plant:

• Start tomato seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost date.
• In Zone 7A, that means early to mid-March.

✅ Soil Temperature: 75°F – 90°F → Use a heat mat to speed up germination.

✅ Humidity Control: Cover your seed tray with a humidity dome and allow airflow to prevent fungal issues.

✅ Recycling Tip: Use egg cartons or plastic containers as mini greenhouses for your seedlings.

🌿 Growth Tips:

✔ Once your tomato seedlings develop two true leaves, transplant them into larger containers.

✔ Add crushed eggshells around the base of your tomato plants to provide calcium and prevent blossom end rot.

✔ When planting outdoors, bury them deep – the stems will sprout extra roots for better stability and growth.

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🥦 Brassicas: Cold-Weather Champions

(Think broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, and Brussels sprouts!)

Brassicas thrive in cool weather, making them perfect for March planting. They’re nutrient-packed and hardy, giving you a reliable crop in the early growing season.

✅ When to Plant:

• Start seeds indoors in early March.
• Transplant seedlings into your garden in late March to early April.

✅ Keep soil temperature around 65°F – 75°F for best germination.

✅ Provide plenty of light — grow lights or a sunny windowsill work well.

✅ Keep seedlings at a steady temperature of 60°F after germination to avoid leggy growth.

🌿 Growing Tips:

✔ Space plants well to allow airflow and prevent disease.

✔ Water consistently — brassicas don’t like drying out.

✔ Protect from pests with row covers or insect netting.

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🥬 Lettuce: Quick and Easy to Grow

Lettuce is one of the fastest and easiest crops to grow — ideal for both beginners and experienced gardeners alike. It grows quickly and is perfect for ‘cut-and-come-again’ harvesting.

✅ When to Plant:

• Start lettuce seeds indoors or directly outdoors in March.

✅ Surface sow seeds — don’t bury them too deep!

✅ Ideal temperature: 60°F – 70°F

✅ Keep soil consistently moist with a spray bottle.

🌿 Growing Tips:

✔ Harvest by cutting leaves instead of pulling the whole plant to keep lettuce growing longer.

✔ For best flavor, harvest in the morning when leaves are crisp and hydrated.

✔ Try mixing different varieties like romaine, butterhead, and leaf lettuce for a colorful salad mix.

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🌸 Flowers for Pollinators and Companions

Including flowers in your garden isn’t just about looks — it helps attract beneficial insects and improves pollination for better fruiting and healthier plants.

🌟 Borage:

✅ Start indoors in March.

✅ Improves the flavor of tomatoes and deters pests like hornworms.

✅ Prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade.

🌟 Marigolds:

✅ Start indoors or outdoors in March.

✅ Excellent for pest control — they repel nematodes and aphids.

✅ Direct sow or transplant in well-draining soil.

🌟 Chamomile:

✅ Start indoors in March.

✅ Enhances plant health when grown near vegetables.

✅ Surface sow — chamomile seeds need light to germinate.

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🌿 Herbs: Add Flavor and Function to Your Garden

🌟 Basil:

✅ Start indoors in March at 70°F.

✅ Acts as a companion plant for tomatoes — improves flavor and deters pests.

✅ Harvest regularly to encourage bushy growth.

🌟 Cilantro:

✅ Prefers cooler temps — germinates best at 50°F – 85°F.

✅ Soak seeds overnight before planting to speed up germination.

✅ Harvest often to prevent bolting.

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🥬 Swiss Chard: Colorful and Nutrient-Packed

Swiss chard thrives in a wide range of temperatures — from early spring to late fall. It’s colorful, nutritious, and easy to grow.

✅ When to Plant:

• Start Swiss chard seeds indoors in early March.
• Transplant outside when soil reaches 50°F.

✅ Soak seeds for a few hours before planting.

✅ Keep soil temperature at 50°F – 85°F for best germination.

🌿 Growing Tips:

✔ Harvest outer leaves first — the plant will keep producing.

✔ Add a layer of mulch to retain moisture and prevent weeds.

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🥬 Spinach and Other Leafy Greens

Spinach is one of the most reliable spring crops — it thrives in cool weather and is packed with nutrients.

✅ When to Plant:

• Direct sow spinach seeds in early to mid-March.

✅ Keep soil temperature around 50°F – 70°F.

✅ Direct sow and lightly cover with soil.

🌿 Growing Tips:

✔ Water consistently but avoid overwatering.

✔ Harvest early for baby spinach or wait for mature leaves.

✔ Try succession planting for a continuous harvest.

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🔥 Pro Tip: Start with a Gardening Journal

Keep track of what you plant, when you plant it, and how it grows. This will help you refine your planting schedule and improve your garden year after year.

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Why March Planting Matters

March is the sweet spot for starting your garden. The soil is warming up, daylight hours are increasing, and the conditions are perfect for many plants to thrive. By starting strong in March, you’re setting up your garden for a season of high yields, healthy plants, and vibrant blooms.