March marks the onset of spring, a prime time for gardeners to kickstart their herb and vegetable gardens. With the promise of warmer temperatures and longer daylight hours, it’s the perfect opportunity to sow a variety of herbs and vegetables indoors and in the garden.
Outdoor vegetable garden
There are many vegetables that you can plant in March, depending on your location and climate.
- In colder zones (1-4), you can start planting onion, tomato, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, and spinach indoors or under cover.
- You can also sow peas, lettuce, radishes, and carrots directly in the ground when the soil temperature is above 45°F.
- In warmer zones (5-8), you can transplant the seedlings of onion, tomato, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, and spinach outdoors. You can also direct sow beets, turnips, endive, kale, arugula, and spring onions in the garden.
- In tropical zones (9-12), you can plant root vegetables for winter stock, such as beets, spinach, Swiss chard, leeks, carrots, parsnips, and celery. You can also grow leafy herbs like basil, chives, dill, parsley, rocket, and sorrel.
FIND OUT WHAT ZONE YOU’RE IN: U.S. Planting Zone Map
Indoor gardening
There are many herbs and vegetables that you can plant indoors during March, depending on the space and light you have available.
- Mint: Mint thrives in partial shade to full sun. Place it near a window that receives indirect sunlight for at least 4-6 hours a day. Mint prefers temperatures between 60-70°F (15-21°C) and moderate humidity levels. It can tolerate slightly cooler temperatures at night.
- Chives: Chives prefer bright, indirect sunlight. They can tolerate partial shade but will grow best with at least 4-6 hours of sunlight per day. Keep the temperature around 60-70°F (15-21°C). Chives can be grown in pots on a windowsill or under fluorescent lights.
- Parsley: Parsley enjoys bright, indirect sunlight and can tolerate some direct sunlight. Aim for 4-6 hours of sunlight per day. Keep the temperature around 65-75°F (18-24°C). Parsley grows well in containers placed near a south or west-facing window.
- Lettuce (Leaf varieties): Leaf lettuce prefers cooler temperatures and can tolerate partial shade. Place it near a window that receives bright, indirect sunlight for 4-6 hours a day. Keep the temperature around 60-70°F (15-21°C). Leaf lettuce can be grown in shallow containers or pots.
- Spinach: Spinach prefers cooler temperatures and partial shade. It can tolerate low light conditions but will grow best with 4-6 hours of indirect sunlight per day. Keep the temperature around 50-70°F (10-21°C). Spinach can be grown in containers near windows or under grow lights.
- Thyme: Thyme prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Aim for at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Keep the temperature around 60-70°F (15-21°C). Thyme can be grown in containers placed near a south-facing window or under grow lights.
- Green Onions (Scallions): Green onions prefer full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Aim for at least 4-6 hours of sunlight per day. Keep the temperature around 60-75°F (15-24°C). Green onions can be grown in pots or containers placed near a window.
- Cilantro: Cilantro prefers partial shade, especially in warmer climates. Place it near a window with indirect sunlight for 4-6 hours a day. Keep the temperature around 60-75°F (15-24°C). Cilantro can be grown in pots or containers on a windowsill.
Remember to provide adequate drainage for all your indoor plants and consider supplementing natural light with grow lights if needed, especially in areas with limited sunlight.
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