What to plant in March in Arkansas
In Arkansas (AR), March sits about 3 weeks before the average last frost (April 3). The state averages 212 frost-free days a year (last frost April 3, first frost November 1; USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a).
70 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including mache (corn salad), pea, spinach, green onion / scallion, arugula, beet - and 23 of those windows close during March.
Dates here come from Arkansas frost dates (last frost Apr 3, first frost Nov 1). For one crop in detail, see when to plant pea, spinach or arugula in Arkansas.
Arkansas: planting activity through the year
Last chance in March
Basil (start seeds indoors, by Mar 6) · Collard Greens (start seeds indoors, by Mar 6) · Endive & Escarole (start seeds indoors, by Mar 6) · Kohlrabi (start seeds indoors, by Mar 6) · Malabar Spinach (start seeds indoors, by Mar 6) · Okra (start seeds indoors, by Mar 6) · Radicchio (start seeds indoors, by Mar 6) · Summer Savory (start seeds indoors, by Mar 6) · Bitter Melon (start seeds indoors, by Mar 13) · Bok Choy / Pak Choi (start seeds indoors, by Mar 13) · Cucamelon (start seeds indoors, by Mar 13) · Fennel (Bulb) (start seeds indoors, by Mar 13) · Lettuce (start seeds indoors, by Mar 13) · Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (start seeds indoors, by Mar 13) · Napa Cabbage (start seeds indoors, by Mar 13) · New Zealand Spinach (start seeds indoors, by Mar 13) · Peanut (start seeds indoors, by Mar 13) · Swiss Chard (start seeds indoors, by Mar 13) · Watercress (start seeds indoors, by Mar 13) · Mache (Corn Salad) (direct sow (spring), by Mar 13) · Pea (direct sow (spring), by Mar 13) · Spinach (direct sow (spring), by Mar 13) · Green Onion / Scallion (transplant outdoors, by Mar 16)
Sow or plant outdoors in March (72)
Direct sowing and transplanting windows that fall in March, most urgent first. Windows are one-to-two-week bands around the ideal date.
| Crop | What to do | Window | This month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mache (Corn Salad) | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Pea | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Transplant outdoors | Feb 27 – Mar 16 | Last chance - ends Mar 16 |
| Arugula | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 20 | Mar 1 – Mar 20 |
| Beet | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 20 | Mar 1 – Mar 20 |
| Fava Bean (Broad Bean) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 20 | Mar 1 – Mar 20 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 20 | Mar 1 – Mar 20 |
| Mizuna | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 20 | Mar 1 – Mar 20 |
| Onion | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 20 | Mar 1 – Mar 20 |
| Radish | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 20 | Mar 1 – Mar 20 |
| Shallot | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 20 | Mar 1 – Mar 20 |
| Tatsoi | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 20 | Mar 1 – Mar 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors | Mar 6 – Mar 23 | Mar 6 – Mar 23 |
| Collard Greens | Transplant outdoors | Mar 6 – Mar 23 | Mar 6 – Mar 23 |
| Horseradish | Plant crowns / divisions | Mar 6 – Mar 23 | Mar 6 – Mar 23 |
| Kale | Transplant outdoors | Mar 6 – Mar 23 | Mar 6 – Mar 23 |
| Kohlrabi | Transplant outdoors | Mar 6 – Mar 23 | Mar 6 – Mar 23 |
| Onion | Transplant outdoors | Mar 6 – Mar 23 | Mar 6 – Mar 23 |
| Rhubarb | Plant crowns / divisions | Mar 6 – Mar 23 | Mar 6 – Mar 23 |
| Shallot | Transplant outdoors | Mar 6 – Mar 23 | Mar 6 – Mar 23 |
| Carrot | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 8 – Mar 27 | Mar 8 – Mar 27 |
| Chervil | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 8 – Mar 27 | Mar 8 – Mar 27 |
| Endive & Escarole | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 8 – Mar 27 | Mar 8 – Mar 27 |
| Kohlrabi | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 8 – Mar 27 | Mar 8 – Mar 27 |
| Lettuce | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 8 – Mar 27 | Mar 8 – Mar 27 |
| Mustard Greens | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 8 – Mar 27 | Mar 8 – Mar 27 |
| Rapini (Broccoli Raab) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 8 – Mar 27 | Mar 8 – Mar 27 |
| Turnip | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 8 – Mar 27 | Mar 8 – Mar 27 |
| Watercress | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 8 – Mar 27 | Mar 8 – Mar 27 |
| Asparagus | Plant crowns / divisions | Mar 13 – Mar 30 | Mar 13 – Mar 30 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Transplant outdoors | Mar 13 – Mar 30 | Mar 13 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors | Mar 13 – Mar 30 | Mar 13 – Mar 30 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Transplant outdoors | Mar 13 – Mar 30 | Mar 13 – Mar 30 |
| Cauliflower | Transplant outdoors | Mar 13 – Mar 30 | Mar 13 – Mar 30 |
| Chives | Plant crowns / divisions | Mar 13 – Mar 30 | Mar 13 – Mar 30 |
| Endive & Escarole | Transplant outdoors | Mar 13 – Mar 30 | Mar 13 – Mar 30 |
| Leek | Transplant outdoors | Mar 13 – Mar 30 | Mar 13 – Mar 30 |
| Lettuce | Transplant outdoors | Mar 13 – Mar 30 | Mar 13 – Mar 30 |
| Napa Cabbage | Transplant outdoors | Mar 13 – Mar 30 | Mar 13 – Mar 30 |
| Parsley | Transplant outdoors | Mar 13 – Mar 30 | Mar 13 – Mar 30 |
| Radicchio | Transplant outdoors | Mar 13 – Mar 30 | Mar 13 – Mar 30 |
| Sorrel | Plant crowns / divisions | Mar 13 – Mar 30 | Mar 13 – Mar 30 |
| Swiss Chard | Transplant outdoors | Mar 13 – Mar 30 | Mar 13 – Mar 30 |
| Watercress | Transplant outdoors | Mar 13 – Mar 30 | Mar 13 – Mar 30 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 3 | Opens Mar 15 |
| Borage | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 3 | Opens Mar 15 |
| Cilantro / Coriander | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 3 | Opens Mar 15 |
| Collard Greens | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 3 | Opens Mar 15 |
| Kale | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 3 | Opens Mar 15 |
| Leek | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 3 | Opens Mar 15 |
| Napa Cabbage | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 3 | Opens Mar 15 |
| Parsley | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 3 | Opens Mar 15 |
| Potato | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 3 | Opens Mar 15 |
| Radicchio | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 3 | Opens Mar 15 |
| Salsify | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 3 | Opens Mar 15 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Transplant outdoors | Mar 20 – Apr 6 | Opens Mar 20 |
| Globe Artichoke | Plant crowns / divisions | Mar 20 – Apr 6 | Opens Mar 20 |
| Lemon Balm | Transplant outdoors | Mar 20 – Apr 6 | Opens Mar 20 |
| Mint | Transplant outdoors | Mar 20 – Apr 6 | Opens Mar 20 |
| Tarragon | Transplant outdoors | Mar 20 – Apr 6 | Opens Mar 20 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 10 | Opens Mar 22 |
| Lemon Balm | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 10 | Opens Mar 22 |
| Parsnip | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 10 | Opens Mar 22 |
| Swiss Chard | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 10 | Opens Mar 22 |
| Celeriac | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 13 | Opens Mar 27 |
| Celery | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 13 | Opens Mar 27 |
| Oregano | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 13 | Opens Mar 27 |
| Sage | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 13 | Opens Mar 27 |
| Thyme | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 13 | Opens Mar 27 |
| Dill | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 17 | Opens Mar 29 |
| Sunflower | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 17 | Opens Mar 29 |
Start seeds indoors in March (26)
Indoor sowings for transplants later. Six to eight weeks under lights is typical for tomatoes and peppers; onions and leeks need longer.
| Crop | What to do | Window | This month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Last chance - ends Mar 6 |
| Collard Greens | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Last chance - ends Mar 6 |
| Endive & Escarole | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Last chance - ends Mar 6 |
| Kohlrabi | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Last chance - ends Mar 6 |
| Malabar Spinach | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Last chance - ends Mar 6 |
| Okra | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Last chance - ends Mar 6 |
| Radicchio | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Last chance - ends Mar 6 |
| Summer Savory | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Last chance - ends Mar 6 |
| Bitter Melon | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Cucamelon | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Lettuce | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Napa Cabbage | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Peanut | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Swiss Chard | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Watercress | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Cucumber | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Pumpkin | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Sunflower | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Watermelon | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Winter Squash | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
Harvesting in March
First harvests expected this month from crops sown or planted on time earlier in the season.
Planting dates for popular crops in Arkansas
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Arkansas: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Last-frost month: March garden jobs in Arkansas
- The average last frost is April 3. Hardy crops can go out now - mache (corn salad), pea, spinach, green onion / scallion - but hold tender ones like tomatoes, peppers and squash until after that date.
- Start hardening off indoor seedlings 7-10 days before they go out: a few hours of outdoor shade first, building up to full sun and nights outside.
- Keep row cover or old sheets handy and watch the 10-day forecast - a clear, still night after a warm spell is the classic late-frost setup.
- Soil temperature matters as much as the calendar: most warm-season seed rots below about 60°F. Check the frost dates guide for how the Arkansas average is worked out.
USDA zone chart for Arkansas
Arkansas spans USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average.
Questions gardeners ask
What vegetables can I plant in Arkansas in March?
70 crops have a window in March: mache (corn salad), pea, spinach, green onion / scallion, arugula, beet, fava bean (broad bean), mizuna, onion, radish and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Arkansas in March?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Arkansas the next tomato window opens around April 3: transplant outdoors.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Arkansas in March?
No - start seeds indoors runs Feb 27 – Mar 13 in Arkansas, so do it before March 13.
When is the first frost in Arkansas?
The statewide average first fall frost is around November 1 and the last spring frost around April 3. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.
What should I start indoors in March in Arkansas?
Basil (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Collard Greens (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Endive & Escarole (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Kohlrabi (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Malabar Spinach (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Okra (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Radicchio (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Summer Savory (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Bitter Melon (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Bok Choy / Pak Choi (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Cucamelon (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Fennel (Bulb) (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Lettuce (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Napa Cabbage (Feb 27 – Mar 13), New Zealand Spinach (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Peanut (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Swiss Chard (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Watercress (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Cantaloupe / Muskmelon (Mar 6 – Mar 20), Cucumber (Mar 6 – Mar 20), Pumpkin (Mar 6 – Mar 20), Sunflower (Mar 6 – Mar 20), Watermelon (Mar 6 – Mar 20), Winter Squash (Mar 6 – Mar 20), Zucchini / Summer Squash (Mar 6 – Mar 20).
What to plant in March in other states
Dates are computed from Arkansas’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.