My Planting Calendar

What to plant in March in Alaska

In Alaska (AK), March sits about 9 weeks before the average last frost (May 17). The state averages 119 frost-free days a year (last frost May 17, first frost September 13; USDA zones 1a, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b).

29 crops have a sowing or planting window this month - and 1 of those windows close during March.

Dates here come from Alaska frost dates (last frost May 17, first frost Sep 13). For one crop in detail, see when to plant onion, eggplant or bell pepper in Alaska.

Seed-starting seasonSow or plant: 29Start indoors: 29Harvesting: 0

Alaska covers a very wide range of climates, so dates near you can be two weeks or more either side of these. Enter your ZIP code in the planting calendar for dates tuned to your town.

Alaska: planting activity through the year

0
1
29
65
91
68
32
8
2
2
0
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: May 17 – Sep 13
Bars count the vegetables, herbs and fruit with a sowing or planting window in each month, from the state’s average frost dates. 29 have one in March; the busiest month is May (91).

Last chance in March

Celeriac (start seeds indoors, by Mar 8)

Start seeds indoors in March (29)

Indoor sowings for transplants later. Six to eight weeks under lights is typical for tomatoes and peppers; onions and leeks need longer.

CropWhat to doWindowThis month
CeleriacStart seeds indoorsFeb 22 – Mar 8Last chance - ends Mar 8
CeleryStart seeds indoorsMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 1 – Mar 15
LeekStart seeds indoorsMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 1 – Mar 15
OnionStart seeds indoorsMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 1 – Mar 15
RosemaryStart seeds indoorsMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 1 – Mar 15
EggplantStart seeds indoorsMar 8 – Mar 22Mar 8 – Mar 22
ParsleyStart seeds indoorsMar 8 – Mar 22Mar 8 – Mar 22
ShallotStart seeds indoorsMar 8 – Mar 22Mar 8 – Mar 22
Bell PepperStart seeds indoorsMar 15 – Mar 29Mar 15 – Mar 29
Chili PepperStart seeds indoorsMar 15 – Mar 29Mar 15 – Mar 29
GingerStart seeds indoorsMar 15 – Mar 29Mar 15 – Mar 29
Green Onion / ScallionStart seeds indoorsMar 15 – Mar 29Mar 15 – Mar 29
MintStart seeds indoorsMar 15 – Mar 29Mar 15 – Mar 29
OreganoStart seeds indoorsMar 15 – Mar 29Mar 15 – Mar 29
SageStart seeds indoorsMar 15 – Mar 29Mar 15 – Mar 29
TarragonStart seeds indoorsMar 15 – Mar 29Mar 15 – Mar 29
ThymeStart seeds indoorsMar 15 – Mar 29Mar 15 – Mar 29
TurmericStart seeds indoorsMar 15 – Mar 29Mar 15 – Mar 29
Ground CherryStart seeds indoorsMar 22 – Apr 5Opens Mar 22
Lemon BalmStart seeds indoorsMar 22 – Apr 5Opens Mar 22
Shiso (Perilla)Start seeds indoorsMar 22 – Apr 5Opens Mar 22
Sweet MarjoramStart seeds indoorsMar 22 – Apr 5Opens Mar 22
TomatilloStart seeds indoorsMar 22 – Apr 5Opens Mar 22
TomatoStart seeds indoorsMar 22 – Apr 5Opens Mar 22
BroccoliStart seeds indoorsMar 29 – Apr 12Opens Mar 29
Brussels SproutsStart seeds indoorsMar 29 – Apr 12Opens Mar 29
CabbageStart seeds indoorsMar 29 – Apr 12Opens Mar 29
CauliflowerStart seeds indoorsMar 29 – Apr 12Opens Mar 29
KaleStart seeds indoorsMar 29 – Apr 12Opens Mar 29

Planting dates for popular crops in Alaska

Every crop has its own full-year dates for Alaska: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.

When to plant onion in Alaska →When to plant eggplant in Alaska →When to plant bell pepper in Alaska →When to plant chili pepper in Alaska →When to plant tomato in Alaska →When to plant broccoli in Alaska →When to plant cabbage in Alaska →When to plant cauliflower in Alaska →Alaska frost dates by zone →

Seed-starting season: March garden jobs in Alaska

  1. Start 29 crops indoors this month, including celeriac, celery, leek, onion. Use a sterile mix and good light - see starting seeds indoors.
  2. 9 weeks until the average last frost (May 17). The seed-starting calculator works out each crop's exact sowing date from it.
  3. Keep seedlings from stretching: lights 2-3 inches above the leaves for 14-16 hours a day, and a fan or a daily brush of the hand across the tops.
  4. Prepare beds as soon as the soil crumbles instead of smearing when squeezed - working wet soil ruins its structure for the season.

USDA zone chart for Alaska

Alaska spans USDA zones 1a, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average.

ZoneLast frostFirst frostSeason
Zone 1Jun 15Aug 2065 days
Zone 2Jun 1Sep 190 days
Zone 3May 15Sep 15120 days
Zone 4May 10Sep 25135 days
Zone 5Apr 30Oct 5160 days
Zone 6Apr 15Oct 15185 days
Zone 7Apr 5Oct 25200 days
Zone 8Mar 20Nov 5230 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Alaska in March?

29 crops have a window in March: celeriac, celery, leek, onion, rosemary, eggplant, parsley, shallot, bell pepper, chili pepper and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.

Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Alaska in March?

No - start seeds indoors runs Mar 22 – Apr 5 in Alaska.

Is it too late to plant lettuce in Alaska in March?

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Alaska the next lettuce window opens around April 12: start seeds indoors.

When is the first frost in Alaska?

The statewide average first fall frost is around September 13 and the last spring frost around May 17. Alaska covers a wide range of climates, so local dates can differ by two weeks or more - look yours up by ZIP code.

What should I start indoors in March in Alaska?

Celeriac (Feb 22 – Mar 8), Celery (Mar 1 – Mar 15), Leek (Mar 1 – Mar 15), Onion (Mar 1 – Mar 15), Rosemary (Mar 1 – Mar 15), Eggplant (Mar 8 – Mar 22), Parsley (Mar 8 – Mar 22), Shallot (Mar 8 – Mar 22), Bell Pepper (Mar 15 – Mar 29), Chili Pepper (Mar 15 – Mar 29), Ginger (Mar 15 – Mar 29), Green Onion / Scallion (Mar 15 – Mar 29), Mint (Mar 15 – Mar 29), Oregano (Mar 15 – Mar 29), Sage (Mar 15 – Mar 29), Tarragon (Mar 15 – Mar 29), Thyme (Mar 15 – Mar 29), Turmeric (Mar 15 – Mar 29), Ground Cherry (Mar 22 – Apr 5), Lemon Balm (Mar 22 – Apr 5), Shiso (Perilla) (Mar 22 – Apr 5), Sweet Marjoram (Mar 22 – Apr 5), Tomatillo (Mar 22 – Apr 5), Tomato (Mar 22 – Apr 5), Broccoli (Mar 29 – Apr 12), Brussels Sprouts (Mar 29 – Apr 12), Cabbage (Mar 29 – Apr 12), Cauliflower (Mar 29 – Apr 12), Kale (Mar 29 – Apr 12).

← February in AlaskaApril in Alaska →Full-year Alaska planting calendar →Alaska frost dates →

What to plant in March in other states

AlabamaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaAll states →

Dates are computed from Alaska’s statewide average frost dates (from NOAA/NCEI climate normals) and each crop’s timing in our crop database. Your garden may be a week or two either side - for dates tuned to your ZIP code, use the planting calendar.