March is here, and for gardeners, that means it’s time to shake off the winter blues and start planning for a productive season. We’ve been busy ordering seeds, mapping out garden beds, and—most exciting of all—getting ready to set up a new greenhouse! This year, we’re also diving into hydroponic farming, so expect more posts on that journey. But for now, let’s talk about what to plant in March and how to set up for success.
Starting Seeds Indoors
If the ground outside is still too cold, March is the perfect time to start seeds indoors. This gives plants a head start so they’re strong and ready to move outside when the weather allows.
Warm-season crops like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants need a longer growing season, making them great candidates for indoor seed starting. These plants take weeks to develop before they’re ready for the garden, so getting them started early can make all the difference.
For best results, use a quality seed-starting mix, keep trays warm (heat mats help with germination), and provide plenty of light. A south-facing window can work, but grow lights ensure strong, healthy seedlings that don’t get leggy from stretching toward the light.
What to Plant in March Indoors and Outdoors
While some plants need indoor starts, others thrive when sown directly into the ground. As soon as the soil can be worked, cold-hardy vegetables can go in the garden.
- Leafy greens – Spinach, lettuce, kale, and Swiss chard all tolerate cool temperatures well. They grow quickly and can handle light frosts.
- Root vegetables – Carrots, beets, radishes, and turnips can be planted now, as long as the soil isn’t waterlogged.
- Peas – These love cool weather and do best when planted early. A trellis or simple stakes will give them the support they need as they grow.
- Onions and garlic – If you didn’t plant them in the fall, spring is your last chance to get them going. Use sets for onions to speed up the process.
March plantings depend on your growing zone, so if the soil is still frozen, hold off a little longer. Raised beds or containers can help warm things up faster, allowing you to get an earlier start.
Perennial and Fruit Planting
March is also a good time to plant perennials and fruit-bearing plants. These take time to establish, but once they do, they provide harvests for years.
- Strawberries – Bare-root strawberries do well when planted early. They’ll grow leaves and roots now, then explode with fruit in early summer.
- Asparagus – This takes patience, as the first real harvest won’t come until the second year, but it’s worth it.
- Rhubarb – Another long-term investment, rhubarb thrives in cool weather and will return each spring.
- Fruit trees and berry bushes – If the ground is workable, early spring is a great time to plant apple trees, blueberries, raspberries, and other perennial fruit crops.
Once these plants are in the ground, a thick layer of mulch will help protect them from unexpected cold snaps.
Preparing the Greenhouse for Spring
With our new greenhouse on the way, we’re already thinking about how to use it to maximize our growing season. A greenhouse offers protection from unpredictable weather, making it possible to start plants earlier and extend the harvest well into fall.
In March, it will be the perfect space for hardening off seedlings before transplanting them outdoors. It will also allow us to experiment with plants that need extra warmth, like citrus or tropical herbs, that might struggle in our climate otherwise.
If you’re considering a greenhouse, think about ventilation, shelving, and how much sun it will get throughout the day. Planning these details ahead of time will make setup smoother and growing more successful.
We ordered an 8×16 greenhouse from Yita Home.
Diving into Hydroponics
This year, we’re taking gardening to the next level by trying hydroponics. Instead of growing plants in soil, hydroponics relies on nutrient-rich water solutions.
We’re starting small with leafy greens and herbs since they tend to be the easiest to grow in a hydroponic setup. Once we get the hang of things, we’ll branch out into tomatoes, cucumbers, and maybe even strawberries. The controlled environment of a greenhouse will make hydroponics even more efficient, allowing us to grow fresh produce year-round.
If you’re curious about hydroponic gardening, keep an eye out for upcoming posts as we learn through trial and error. We’ll share what works, what doesn’t, and how to get started even if you don’t have a lot of space.
Getting the Garden Ready
While planting is exciting, March is also a great time for garden prep. Before putting anything in the ground, take care of a few maintenance tasks:
- Clean up garden beds – Remove any debris from last season, pull early weeds, and turn compost into the soil to enrich it.
- Test and amend soil – A simple soil test can reveal nutrient deficiencies. Adding compost, aged manure, or organic fertilizers now will set plants up for success.
- Check garden tools – Sharp pruners, clean trowels, and working hoses make planting easier. Take a few minutes to sharpen and repair anything that needs it.
- Plan out space – A little time spent sketching a layout can prevent overcrowding and wasted space. Consider companion planting to naturally boost growth and deter pests.
The Best Time to Start is Now
March is one of the most exciting months in the garden. Whether you’re starting seeds, direct sowing cold-hardy crops, or getting perennials in the ground, now is the time to take action.
We can’t wait to see how the greenhouse and hydroponic setup change the way we grow food this year. If you’re trying something new in the garden, let us know! Gardening is always a learning process, and sharing ideas makes it even better.
