March in the Garden: What to Plant Now (Zone 9 Garden Guide)
March is when the garden wakes up. The soil begins warming, daylight stretches longer, and it’s the moment when cool-season crops thrive while warm-season crops begin their journey indoors.
If you’ve been waiting all winter to get your hands in the dirt, this is the month.
Whether you’re gardening in raised beds, containers, or a backyard plot, March is about building momentum for the entire growing season.
Direct Sow Outdoors
These crops thrive in the cool spring soil and germinate best when planted directly in the garden.
Great March plantings:
- Beets
- Carrots
- Radishes
- Peas
- Spinach
- Lettuce
- Arugula
- Cilantro
Most of these crops prefer soil temperatures around 45–65°F, which makes early spring ideal.
Pro Tip:
Succession sow every 2 weeks for continuous harvests.
Start Indoors Now
Warm-season crops need a head start before they go outside.
Start these seeds indoors in March:
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Basil
- Eggplant
- Tomatillos
Use a seed starting mix and keep soil moist but not soggy.
Seedlings typically need 6–8 weeks indoors before transplanting after the last frost.
Don’t Forget the Pollinators
Early flowers bring beneficial insects into your garden.
Great early sowing options include:
- Nasturtium
- Marigold
- Zinnia
- Sunflower
These plants not only attract pollinators but also help create a healthier garden ecosystem.
The Magic of Open-Pollinated Seeds
All of our seeds are open-pollinated, heirloom, and non-GMO, meaning you can save seeds from your harvest and grow them again next year.
It’s one of the most rewarding parts of gardening — closing the loop from seed to seed.
And we love seeing small farms and home gardeners grow these varieties season after season.
What are you planting this March?
Tag us in your garden photos — we love featuring small farms and backyard growers.