What to plant in March in Kentucky
In Kentucky (KY), March sits about 5 weeks before the average last frost (April 18). The state averages 185 frost-free days a year (last frost April 18, first frost October 20; USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a).
65 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including mache (corn salad), pea, spinach, green onion / scallion, arugula, beet - and 11 of those windows close during March.
Dates here come from Kentucky frost dates (last frost Apr 18, first frost Oct 20). For one crop in detail, see when to plant pea, spinach or arugula in Kentucky.
Kentucky: planting activity through the year
Last chance in March
Ground Cherry (start seeds indoors, by Mar 7) · Lemon Balm (start seeds indoors, by Mar 7) · Shiso (Perilla) (start seeds indoors, by Mar 7) · Sweet Marjoram (start seeds indoors, by Mar 7) · Tomatillo (start seeds indoors, by Mar 7) · Tomato (start seeds indoors, by Mar 7) · Broccoli (start seeds indoors, by Mar 14) · Brussels Sprouts (start seeds indoors, by Mar 14) · Cabbage (start seeds indoors, by Mar 14) · Cauliflower (start seeds indoors, by Mar 14) · Kale (start seeds indoors, by Mar 14)
Sow or plant outdoors in March (56)
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) | Mar 9 – Mar 28 | Mar 9 – Mar 28 |
| Pea | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 9 – Mar 28 | Mar 9 – Mar 28 |
| Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 9 – Mar 28 | Mar 9 – Mar 28 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Transplant outdoors | Mar 14 – Mar 31 | Mar 14 – Mar 31 |
| Arugula | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 4 | Opens Mar 16 |
| Beet | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 4 | Opens Mar 16 |
| Fava Bean (Broad Bean) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 4 | Opens Mar 16 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 4 | Opens Mar 16 |
| Mizuna | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 4 | Opens Mar 16 |
| Onion | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 4 | Opens Mar 16 |
| Radish | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 4 | Opens Mar 16 |
| Shallot | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 4 | Opens Mar 16 |
| Tatsoi | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 4 | Opens Mar 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors | Mar 21 – Apr 7 | Opens Mar 21 |
| Collard Greens | Transplant outdoors | Mar 21 – Apr 7 | Opens Mar 21 |
| Horseradish | Plant crowns / divisions | Mar 21 – Apr 7 | Opens Mar 21 |
| Kale | Transplant outdoors | Mar 21 – Apr 7 | Opens Mar 21 |
| Kohlrabi | Transplant outdoors | Mar 21 – Apr 7 | Opens Mar 21 |
| Onion | Transplant outdoors | Mar 21 – Apr 7 | Opens Mar 21 |
| Rhubarb | Plant crowns / divisions | Mar 21 – Apr 7 | Opens Mar 21 |
| Shallot | Transplant outdoors | Mar 21 – Apr 7 | Opens Mar 21 |
| Carrot | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 11 | Opens Mar 23 |
| Chervil | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 11 | Opens Mar 23 |
| Endive & Escarole | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 11 | Opens Mar 23 |
| Kohlrabi | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 11 | Opens Mar 23 |
| Lettuce | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 11 | Opens Mar 23 |
| Mustard Greens | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 11 | Opens Mar 23 |
| Rapini (Broccoli Raab) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 11 | Opens Mar 23 |
| Turnip | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 11 | Opens Mar 23 |
| Watercress | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 11 | Opens Mar 23 |
| Asparagus | Plant crowns / divisions | Mar 28 – Apr 14 | Opens Mar 28 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Transplant outdoors | Mar 28 – Apr 14 | Opens Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors | Mar 28 – Apr 14 | Opens Mar 28 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Transplant outdoors | Mar 28 – Apr 14 | Opens Mar 28 |
| Cauliflower | Transplant outdoors | Mar 28 – Apr 14 | Opens Mar 28 |
| Chives | Plant crowns / divisions | Mar 28 – Apr 14 | Opens Mar 28 |
| Endive & Escarole | Transplant outdoors | Mar 28 – Apr 14 | Opens Mar 28 |
| Leek | Transplant outdoors | Mar 28 – Apr 14 | Opens Mar 28 |
| Lettuce | Transplant outdoors | Mar 28 – Apr 14 | Opens Mar 28 |
| Napa Cabbage | Transplant outdoors | Mar 28 – Apr 14 | Opens Mar 28 |
| Parsley | Transplant outdoors | Mar 28 – Apr 14 | Opens Mar 28 |
| Radicchio | Transplant outdoors | Mar 28 – Apr 14 | Opens Mar 28 |
| Sorrel | Plant crowns / divisions | Mar 28 – Apr 14 | Opens Mar 28 |
| Swiss Chard | Transplant outdoors | Mar 28 – Apr 14 | Opens Mar 28 |
| Watercress | Transplant outdoors | Mar 28 – Apr 14 | Opens Mar 28 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 18 | Opens Mar 30 |
| Borage | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 18 | Opens Mar 30 |
| Cilantro / Coriander | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 18 | Opens Mar 30 |
| Collard Greens | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 18 | Opens Mar 30 |
| Kale | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 18 | Opens Mar 30 |
| Leek | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 18 | Opens Mar 30 |
| Napa Cabbage | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 18 | Opens Mar 30 |
| Parsley | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 18 | Opens Mar 30 |
| Potato | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 18 | Opens Mar 30 |
| Radicchio | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 18 | Opens Mar 30 |
| Salsify | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 18 | Opens Mar 30 |
Start seeds indoors in March (37)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Cherry | Start seeds indoors | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Last chance - ends Mar 7 |
| Lemon Balm | Start seeds indoors | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Last chance - ends Mar 7 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Start seeds indoors | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Last chance - ends Mar 7 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Start seeds indoors | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Last chance - ends Mar 7 |
| Tomatillo | Start seeds indoors | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Last chance - ends Mar 7 |
| Tomato | Start seeds indoors | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Last chance - ends Mar 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Last chance - ends Mar 14 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Start seeds indoors | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Last chance - ends Mar 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Last chance - ends Mar 14 |
| Cauliflower | Start seeds indoors | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Last chance - ends Mar 14 |
| Kale | Start seeds indoors | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Last chance - ends Mar 14 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Collard Greens | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Endive & Escarole | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Kohlrabi | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Malabar Spinach | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Okra | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Radicchio | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Summer Savory | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Bitter Melon | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Cucamelon | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Lettuce | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Napa Cabbage | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Peanut | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Swiss Chard | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Watercress | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Opens Mar 21 |
| Cucumber | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Opens Mar 21 |
| Pumpkin | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Opens Mar 21 |
| Sunflower | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Opens Mar 21 |
| Watermelon | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Opens Mar 21 |
| Winter Squash | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Opens Mar 21 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Opens Mar 21 |
Planting dates for popular crops in Kentucky
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Kentucky: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Seed-starting season: March garden jobs in Kentucky
- Start 37 crops indoors this month, including ground cherry, lemon balm, shiso (perilla), sweet marjoram. Use a sterile mix and good light - see starting seeds indoors.
- 5 weeks until the average last frost (April 18). The seed-starting calculator works out each crop's exact sowing date from it.
- 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.
- 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 Kentucky
Kentucky spans USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a. 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 Kentucky in March?
65 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 Kentucky in March?
No - start seeds indoors runs Feb 21 – Mar 7 in Kentucky, so do it before March 7.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Kentucky in March?
No - start seeds indoors runs Mar 14 – Mar 28 in Kentucky, so do it before March 28.
When is the first frost in Kentucky?
The statewide average first fall frost is around October 20 and the last spring frost around April 18. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.
What should I start indoors in March in Kentucky?
Ground Cherry (Feb 21 – Mar 7), Lemon Balm (Feb 21 – Mar 7), Shiso (Perilla) (Feb 21 – Mar 7), Sweet Marjoram (Feb 21 – Mar 7), Tomatillo (Feb 21 – Mar 7), Tomato (Feb 21 – Mar 7), Broccoli (Feb 28 – Mar 14), Brussels Sprouts (Feb 28 – Mar 14), Cabbage (Feb 28 – Mar 14), Cauliflower (Feb 28 – Mar 14), Kale (Feb 28 – Mar 14), Basil (Mar 7 – Mar 21), Collard Greens (Mar 7 – Mar 21), Endive & Escarole (Mar 7 – Mar 21), Kohlrabi (Mar 7 – Mar 21), Malabar Spinach (Mar 7 – Mar 21), Okra (Mar 7 – Mar 21), Radicchio (Mar 7 – Mar 21), Summer Savory (Mar 7 – Mar 21), Bitter Melon (Mar 14 – Mar 28), Bok Choy / Pak Choi (Mar 14 – Mar 28), Cucamelon (Mar 14 – Mar 28), Fennel (Bulb) (Mar 14 – Mar 28), Lettuce (Mar 14 – Mar 28), Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (Mar 14 – Mar 28), Napa Cabbage (Mar 14 – Mar 28), New Zealand Spinach (Mar 14 – Mar 28), Peanut (Mar 14 – Mar 28), Swiss Chard (Mar 14 – Mar 28), Watercress (Mar 14 – Mar 28), Cantaloupe / Muskmelon (Mar 21 – Apr 4), Cucumber (Mar 21 – Apr 4), Pumpkin (Mar 21 – Apr 4), Sunflower (Mar 21 – Apr 4), Watermelon (Mar 21 – Apr 4), Winter Squash (Mar 21 – Apr 4), Zucchini / Summer Squash (Mar 21 – Apr 4).
What to plant in March in other states
Dates are computed from Kentucky’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.