What to plant in March in California
In California (CA), March comes about 3 weeks after the average last frost (February 20). The state averages 284 frost-free days a year (last frost February 20, first frost December 1; USDA zones 5a, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10a, 10b).
63 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including celeriac, celery, oregano, sage, thyme, dill - and 43 of those windows close during March.
Dates here come from California frost dates (last frost Feb 20, first frost Dec 1). For one crop in detail, see when to plant pumpkin, tomato or winter squash in California.
California 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.
California: planting activity through the year
Last chance in March
Celeriac (transplant outdoors, by Mar 2) · Celery (transplant outdoors, by Mar 2) · Oregano (transplant outdoors, by Mar 2) · Sage (transplant outdoors, by Mar 2) · Thyme (transplant outdoors, by Mar 2) · Dill (direct sow (spring), by Mar 6) · Sunflower (direct sow (spring), by Mar 6) · Ground Cherry (transplant outdoors, by Mar 9) · New Zealand Spinach (transplant outdoors, by Mar 9) · Peanut (transplant outdoors, by Mar 9) · Pumpkin (transplant outdoors, by Mar 9) · Rosemary (transplant outdoors, by Mar 9) · Shiso (Perilla) (transplant outdoors, by Mar 9) · Summer Savory (transplant outdoors, by Mar 9) · Sunflower (transplant outdoors, by Mar 9) · Sweet Marjoram (transplant outdoors, by Mar 9) · Tomatillo (transplant outdoors, by Mar 9) · Tomato (transplant outdoors, by Mar 9) · Winter Squash (transplant outdoors, by Mar 9) · Zucchini / Summer Squash (transplant outdoors, by Mar 9) · Amaranth (Leaf) (direct sow (spring), by Mar 13) · Bush Bean (direct sow (spring), by Mar 13) · Edamame (Soybean) (direct sow (spring), by Mar 13) · New Zealand Spinach (direct sow (spring), by Mar 13) · Pole Bean (direct sow (spring), by Mar 13) · Pumpkin (direct sow (spring), by Mar 13) · Shiso (Perilla) (direct sow (spring), by Mar 13) · Summer Savory (direct sow (spring), by Mar 13) · Sweet Corn (direct sow (spring), by Mar 13) · Sweet Marjoram (direct sow (spring), by Mar 13) · Winter Squash (direct sow (spring), by Mar 13) · Zucchini / Summer Squash (direct sow (spring), by Mar 13) · Basil (transplant outdoors, by Mar 16) · Bell Pepper (transplant outdoors, by Mar 16) · Bitter Melon (transplant outdoors, by Mar 16) · Cantaloupe / Muskmelon (transplant outdoors, by Mar 16) · Chili Pepper (transplant outdoors, by Mar 16) · Cucamelon (transplant outdoors, by Mar 16) · Cucumber (transplant outdoors, by Mar 16) · Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (transplant outdoors, by Mar 16) · Malabar Spinach (transplant outdoors, by Mar 16) · Okra (transplant outdoors, by Mar 16) · Watermelon (transplant outdoors, by Mar 16)
Sow or plant outdoors in March (60)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celeriac | Transplant outdoors | Feb 13 – Mar 2 | Last chance - ends Mar 2 |
| Celery | Transplant outdoors | Feb 13 – Mar 2 | Last chance - ends Mar 2 |
| Oregano | Transplant outdoors | Feb 13 – Mar 2 | Last chance - ends Mar 2 |
| Sage | Transplant outdoors | Feb 13 – Mar 2 | Last chance - ends Mar 2 |
| Thyme | Transplant outdoors | Feb 13 – Mar 2 | Last chance - ends Mar 2 |
| Dill | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 6 | Last chance - ends Mar 6 |
| Sunflower | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 6 | Last chance - ends Mar 6 |
| Ground Cherry | Transplant outdoors | Feb 20 – Mar 9 | Last chance - ends Mar 9 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Transplant outdoors | Feb 20 – Mar 9 | Last chance - ends Mar 9 |
| Peanut | Transplant outdoors | Feb 20 – Mar 9 | Last chance - ends Mar 9 |
| Pumpkin | Transplant outdoors | Feb 20 – Mar 9 | Last chance - ends Mar 9 |
| Rosemary | Transplant outdoors | Feb 20 – Mar 9 | Last chance - ends Mar 9 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Transplant outdoors | Feb 20 – Mar 9 | Last chance - ends Mar 9 |
| Summer Savory | Transplant outdoors | Feb 20 – Mar 9 | Last chance - ends Mar 9 |
| Sunflower | Transplant outdoors | Feb 20 – Mar 9 | Last chance - ends Mar 9 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Transplant outdoors | Feb 20 – Mar 9 | Last chance - ends Mar 9 |
| Tomatillo | Transplant outdoors | Feb 20 – Mar 9 | Last chance - ends Mar 9 |
| Tomato | Transplant outdoors | Feb 20 – Mar 9 | Last chance - ends Mar 9 |
| Winter Squash | Transplant outdoors | Feb 20 – Mar 9 | Last chance - ends Mar 9 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Transplant outdoors | Feb 20 – Mar 9 | Last chance - ends Mar 9 |
| Amaranth (Leaf) | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Bush Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Edamame (Soybean) | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Pole Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Pumpkin | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Summer Savory | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Sweet Corn | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Winter Squash | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Basil | Transplant outdoors | Feb 27 – Mar 16 | Last chance - ends Mar 16 |
| Bell Pepper | Transplant outdoors | Feb 27 – Mar 16 | Last chance - ends Mar 16 |
| Bitter Melon | Transplant outdoors | Feb 27 – Mar 16 | Last chance - ends Mar 16 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Transplant outdoors | Feb 27 – Mar 16 | Last chance - ends Mar 16 |
| Chili Pepper | Transplant outdoors | Feb 27 – Mar 16 | Last chance - ends Mar 16 |
| Cucamelon | Transplant outdoors | Feb 27 – Mar 16 | Last chance - ends Mar 16 |
| Cucumber | Transplant outdoors | Feb 27 – Mar 16 | Last chance - ends Mar 16 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Transplant outdoors | Feb 27 – Mar 16 | Last chance - ends Mar 16 |
| Malabar Spinach | Transplant outdoors | Feb 27 – Mar 16 | Last chance - ends Mar 16 |
| Okra | Transplant outdoors | Feb 27 – Mar 16 | Last chance - ends Mar 16 |
| Watermelon | Transplant outdoors | Feb 27 – Mar 16 | Last chance - ends Mar 16 |
| Basil | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 20 | Mar 1 – Mar 20 |
| Bitter Melon | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 20 | Mar 1 – Mar 20 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 20 | Mar 1 – Mar 20 |
| Chayote | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 20 | Mar 1 – Mar 20 |
| Cucamelon | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 20 | Mar 1 – Mar 20 |
| Cucumber | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 20 | Mar 1 – Mar 20 |
| Lima Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 20 | Mar 1 – Mar 20 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 20 | Mar 1 – Mar 20 |
| Malabar Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 20 | Mar 1 – Mar 20 |
| Okra | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 20 | Mar 1 – Mar 20 |
| Peanut | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 20 | Mar 1 – Mar 20 |
| Southern Pea (Cowpea) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 20 | Mar 1 – Mar 20 |
| Watermelon | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 20 | Mar 1 – Mar 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 6 – Mar 23 | Mar 6 – Mar 23 |
| Ginger | Transplant outdoors | Mar 6 – Mar 23 | Mar 6 – Mar 23 |
| Sweet Potato | Transplant outdoors | Mar 6 – Mar 23 | Mar 6 – Mar 23 |
| Turmeric | Transplant outdoors | Mar 6 – Mar 23 | Mar 6 – Mar 23 |
Keep sowing (succession)
Repeat sowings of crops already in the ground, for a steady harvest instead of a glut.
- Pea: sow again on Mar 5 and Mar 17
- Lettuce: sow again on Mar 2 and Mar 14 and Mar 26
- Spinach: sow again on Mar 5 and Mar 17
- Carrot: sow again on Mar 7 and Mar 25
- Beet: sow again on Mar 18
- Radish: sow again on Mar 4 and Mar 14 and Mar 24
- Cilantro / Coriander: sow again on Mar 14
- Arugula: sow again on Mar 12 and Mar 24
- Turnip: sow again on Mar 13 and Mar 27
- Kohlrabi: sow again on Mar 13 and Mar 27
- Bok Choy / Pak Choi: sow again on Mar 6 and Mar 20
- Mustard Greens: sow again on Mar 13 and Mar 27
- Green Onion / Scallion: sow again on Mar 6 and Mar 27
- Fennel (Bulb): sow again on Mar 6 and Mar 27
- Endive & Escarole: sow again on Mar 6 and Mar 20
- Mache (Corn Salad): sow again on Mar 13 and Mar 27
- Rapini (Broccoli Raab): sow again on Mar 13 and Mar 27
- Tatsoi: sow again on Mar 12 and Mar 24
- Mizuna: sow again on Mar 12 and Mar 24
- Chervil: sow again on Mar 13 and Mar 27
- Watercress: sow again on 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 California
Every crop has its own full-year dates for California: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Main planting month: March garden jobs in California
- With the average last frost on February 20, 42 crops can go in outdoors this month, including celeriac, celery, oregano, sage.
- Transplant on a cloudy afternoon and water in well - see transplanting seedlings without shock.
- Once the soil has warmed, lay mulch around established plants to hold moisture and smother weeds.
- Sow quick crops little and often - lettuce, radish and beans every two to three weeks give a steady harvest instead of a glut (succession planting).
USDA zone chart for California
California spans USDA zones 5a, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10a, 10b. 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 California in March?
63 crops have a window in March: celeriac, celery, oregano, sage, thyme, dill, sunflower, ground cherry, new zealand spinach, peanut and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in California in March?
No - transplant outdoors runs Feb 20 – Mar 9 in California, so do it before March 9.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in California in March?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In California the next lettuce window opens around September 26: sow for a fall crop.
When is the first frost in California?
The statewide average first fall frost is around December 1 and the last spring frost around February 20. California covers a wide range of climates, so local dates can differ by two weeks or more - look yours up by ZIP code.
What can I harvest in California in March?
From plantings made on time: spinach, arugula, tatsoi, mizuna, mustard greens, mache (corn salad), lettuce, turnip, rapini (broccoli raab), chervil.
What to plant in March in other states
Dates are computed from California’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.