What to plant in March in Louisiana
In Louisiana (LA), March comes about 1 week after the average last frost (March 5). The state averages 255 frost-free days a year (last frost March 5, first frost November 15; USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b).
84 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including asparagus, bok choy / pak choi, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, chives - and 42 of those windows close during March.
Dates here come from Louisiana frost dates (last frost Mar 5, first frost Nov 15). For one crop in detail, see when to plant broccoli, cauliflower or lettuce in Louisiana.
Louisiana: planting activity through the year
Last chance in March
Asparagus (plant crowns / divisions, by Mar 1) · Bok Choy / Pak Choi (transplant outdoors, by Mar 1) · Broccoli (transplant outdoors, by Mar 1) · Brussels Sprouts (transplant outdoors, by Mar 1) · Cauliflower (transplant outdoors, by Mar 1) · Chives (plant crowns / divisions, by Mar 1) · Endive & Escarole (transplant outdoors, by Mar 1) · Leek (transplant outdoors, by Mar 1) · Lettuce (transplant outdoors, by Mar 1) · Napa Cabbage (transplant outdoors, by Mar 1) · Parsley (transplant outdoors, by Mar 1) · Radicchio (transplant outdoors, by Mar 1) · Sorrel (plant crowns / divisions, by Mar 1) · Swiss Chard (transplant outdoors, by Mar 1) · Watercress (transplant outdoors, by Mar 1) · Bok Choy / Pak Choi (direct sow (spring), by Mar 5) · Borage (direct sow (spring), by Mar 5) · Cilantro / Coriander (direct sow (spring), by Mar 5) · Collard Greens (direct sow (spring), by Mar 5) · Kale (direct sow (spring), by Mar 5) · Leek (direct sow (spring), by Mar 5) · Napa Cabbage (direct sow (spring), by Mar 5) · Parsley (direct sow (spring), by Mar 5) · Potato (direct sow (spring), by Mar 5) · Radicchio (direct sow (spring), by Mar 5) · Salsify (direct sow (spring), by Mar 5) · Fennel (Bulb) (transplant outdoors, by Mar 8) · Globe Artichoke (plant crowns / divisions, by Mar 8) · Lemon Balm (transplant outdoors, by Mar 8) · Mint (transplant outdoors, by Mar 8) · Tarragon (transplant outdoors, by Mar 8) · Fennel (Bulb) (direct sow (spring), by Mar 12) · Lemon Balm (direct sow (spring), by Mar 12) · Parsnip (direct sow (spring), by Mar 12) · Swiss Chard (direct sow (spring), by Mar 12) · Celeriac (transplant outdoors, by Mar 15) · Celery (transplant outdoors, by Mar 15) · Oregano (transplant outdoors, by Mar 15) · Sage (transplant outdoors, by Mar 15) · Thyme (transplant outdoors, by Mar 15) · Dill (direct sow (spring), by Mar 19) · Sunflower (direct sow (spring), by Mar 19)
Sow or plant outdoors in March (95)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asparagus | Plant crowns / divisions | Feb 12 – Mar 1 | Last chance - ends Mar 1 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Transplant outdoors | Feb 12 – Mar 1 | Last chance - ends Mar 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors | Feb 12 – Mar 1 | Last chance - ends Mar 1 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Transplant outdoors | Feb 12 – Mar 1 | Last chance - ends Mar 1 |
| Cauliflower | Transplant outdoors | Feb 12 – Mar 1 | Last chance - ends Mar 1 |
| Chives | Plant crowns / divisions | Feb 12 – Mar 1 | Last chance - ends Mar 1 |
| Endive & Escarole | Transplant outdoors | Feb 12 – Mar 1 | Last chance - ends Mar 1 |
| Leek | Transplant outdoors | Feb 12 – Mar 1 | Last chance - ends Mar 1 |
| Lettuce | Transplant outdoors | Feb 12 – Mar 1 | Last chance - ends Mar 1 |
| Napa Cabbage | Transplant outdoors | Feb 12 – Mar 1 | Last chance - ends Mar 1 |
| Parsley | Transplant outdoors | Feb 12 – Mar 1 | Last chance - ends Mar 1 |
| Radicchio | Transplant outdoors | Feb 12 – Mar 1 | Last chance - ends Mar 1 |
| Sorrel | Plant crowns / divisions | Feb 12 – Mar 1 | Last chance - ends Mar 1 |
| Swiss Chard | Transplant outdoors | Feb 12 – Mar 1 | Last chance - ends Mar 1 |
| Watercress | Transplant outdoors | Feb 12 – Mar 1 | Last chance - ends Mar 1 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 5 | Last chance - ends Mar 5 |
| Borage | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 5 | Last chance - ends Mar 5 |
| Cilantro / Coriander | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 5 | Last chance - ends Mar 5 |
| Collard Greens | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 5 | Last chance - ends Mar 5 |
| Kale | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 5 | Last chance - ends Mar 5 |
| Leek | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 5 | Last chance - ends Mar 5 |
| Napa Cabbage | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 5 | Last chance - ends Mar 5 |
| Parsley | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 5 | Last chance - ends Mar 5 |
| Potato | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 5 | Last chance - ends Mar 5 |
| Radicchio | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 5 | Last chance - ends Mar 5 |
| Salsify | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 5 | Last chance - ends Mar 5 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Transplant outdoors | Feb 19 – Mar 8 | Last chance - ends Mar 8 |
| Globe Artichoke | Plant crowns / divisions | Feb 19 – Mar 8 | Last chance - ends Mar 8 |
| Lemon Balm | Transplant outdoors | Feb 19 – Mar 8 | Last chance - ends Mar 8 |
| Mint | Transplant outdoors | Feb 19 – Mar 8 | Last chance - ends Mar 8 |
| Tarragon | Transplant outdoors | Feb 19 – Mar 8 | Last chance - ends Mar 8 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 12 | Last chance - ends Mar 12 |
| Lemon Balm | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 12 | Last chance - ends Mar 12 |
| Parsnip | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 12 | Last chance - ends Mar 12 |
| Swiss Chard | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 12 | Last chance - ends Mar 12 |
| Celeriac | Transplant outdoors | Feb 26 – Mar 15 | Last chance - ends Mar 15 |
| Celery | Transplant outdoors | Feb 26 – Mar 15 | Last chance - ends Mar 15 |
| Oregano | Transplant outdoors | Feb 26 – Mar 15 | Last chance - ends Mar 15 |
| Sage | Transplant outdoors | Feb 26 – Mar 15 | Last chance - ends Mar 15 |
| Thyme | Transplant outdoors | Feb 26 – Mar 15 | Last chance - ends Mar 15 |
| Dill | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 19 | Last chance - ends Mar 19 |
| Sunflower | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 19 | Last chance - ends Mar 19 |
| Ground Cherry | Transplant outdoors | Mar 5 – Mar 22 | Mar 5 – Mar 22 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Transplant outdoors | Mar 5 – Mar 22 | Mar 5 – Mar 22 |
| Peanut | Transplant outdoors | Mar 5 – Mar 22 | Mar 5 – Mar 22 |
| Pumpkin | Transplant outdoors | Mar 5 – Mar 22 | Mar 5 – Mar 22 |
| Rosemary | Transplant outdoors | Mar 5 – Mar 22 | Mar 5 – Mar 22 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Transplant outdoors | Mar 5 – Mar 22 | Mar 5 – Mar 22 |
| Summer Savory | Transplant outdoors | Mar 5 – Mar 22 | Mar 5 – Mar 22 |
| Sunflower | Transplant outdoors | Mar 5 – Mar 22 | Mar 5 – Mar 22 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Transplant outdoors | Mar 5 – Mar 22 | Mar 5 – Mar 22 |
| Tomatillo | Transplant outdoors | Mar 5 – Mar 22 | Mar 5 – Mar 22 |
| Tomato | Transplant outdoors | Mar 5 – Mar 22 | Mar 5 – Mar 22 |
| Winter Squash | Transplant outdoors | Mar 5 – Mar 22 | Mar 5 – Mar 22 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Transplant outdoors | Mar 5 – Mar 22 | Mar 5 – Mar 22 |
| Amaranth (Leaf) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 7 – Mar 26 | Mar 7 – Mar 26 |
| Bush Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 7 – Mar 26 | Mar 7 – Mar 26 |
| Edamame (Soybean) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 7 – Mar 26 | Mar 7 – Mar 26 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 7 – Mar 26 | Mar 7 – Mar 26 |
| Pole Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 7 – Mar 26 | Mar 7 – Mar 26 |
| Pumpkin | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 7 – Mar 26 | Mar 7 – Mar 26 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 7 – Mar 26 | Mar 7 – Mar 26 |
| Summer Savory | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 7 – Mar 26 | Mar 7 – Mar 26 |
| Sweet Corn | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 7 – Mar 26 | Mar 7 – Mar 26 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 7 – Mar 26 | Mar 7 – Mar 26 |
| Winter Squash | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 7 – Mar 26 | Mar 7 – Mar 26 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 7 – Mar 26 | Mar 7 – Mar 26 |
| Basil | Transplant outdoors | Mar 12 – Mar 29 | Mar 12 – Mar 29 |
| Bell Pepper | Transplant outdoors | Mar 12 – Mar 29 | Mar 12 – Mar 29 |
| Bitter Melon | Transplant outdoors | Mar 12 – Mar 29 | Mar 12 – Mar 29 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Transplant outdoors | Mar 12 – Mar 29 | Mar 12 – Mar 29 |
| Chili Pepper | Transplant outdoors | Mar 12 – Mar 29 | Mar 12 – Mar 29 |
| Cucamelon | Transplant outdoors | Mar 12 – Mar 29 | Mar 12 – Mar 29 |
| Cucumber | Transplant outdoors | Mar 12 – Mar 29 | Mar 12 – Mar 29 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Transplant outdoors | Mar 12 – Mar 29 | Mar 12 – Mar 29 |
| Malabar Spinach | Transplant outdoors | Mar 12 – Mar 29 | Mar 12 – Mar 29 |
| Okra | Transplant outdoors | Mar 12 – Mar 29 | Mar 12 – Mar 29 |
| Watermelon | Transplant outdoors | Mar 12 – Mar 29 | Mar 12 – Mar 29 |
| Basil | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 2 | Opens Mar 14 |
| Bitter Melon | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 2 | Opens Mar 14 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 2 | Opens Mar 14 |
| Chayote | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 2 | Opens Mar 14 |
| Cucamelon | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 2 | Opens Mar 14 |
| Cucumber | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 2 | Opens Mar 14 |
| Lima Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 2 | Opens Mar 14 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 2 | Opens Mar 14 |
| Malabar Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 2 | Opens Mar 14 |
| Okra | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 2 | Opens Mar 14 |
| Peanut | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 2 | Opens Mar 14 |
| Southern Pea (Cowpea) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 2 | Opens Mar 14 |
| Watermelon | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 2 | Opens Mar 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 19 – Apr 5 | Opens Mar 19 |
| Ginger | Transplant outdoors | Mar 19 – Apr 5 | Opens Mar 19 |
| Sweet Potato | Transplant outdoors | Mar 19 – Apr 5 | Opens Mar 19 |
| Turmeric | Transplant outdoors | Mar 19 – Apr 5 | Opens Mar 19 |
Keep sowing (succession)
Repeat sowings of crops already in the ground, for a steady harvest instead of a glut.
- Pea: sow again on Mar 6 and Mar 18 and Mar 30
- Spinach: sow again on Mar 6 and Mar 18 and Mar 30
- Carrot: sow again on Mar 2 and Mar 20
- Beet: sow again on Mar 13 and Mar 31
- Radish: sow again on Mar 7 and Mar 17 and Mar 27
- Arugula: sow again on Mar 1 and Mar 13 and Mar 25
- Turnip: sow again on Mar 12 and Mar 26
- Kohlrabi: sow again on Mar 12 and Mar 26
- Mustard Greens: sow again on Mar 12 and Mar 26
- Green Onion / Scallion: sow again on Mar 19
- Mache (Corn Salad): sow again on Mar 12 and Mar 26
- Rapini (Broccoli Raab): sow again on Mar 12 and Mar 26
- Tatsoi: sow again on Mar 1 and Mar 13 and Mar 25
- Mizuna: sow again on Mar 1 and Mar 13 and Mar 25
- Chervil: sow again on Mar 12 and Mar 26
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 Louisiana
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Louisiana: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Main planting month: March garden jobs in Louisiana
- With the average last frost on March 5, 69 crops can go in outdoors this month, including asparagus, bok choy / pak choi, broccoli, brussels sprouts.
- 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 Louisiana
Louisiana spans USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b. 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 Louisiana in March?
84 crops have a window in March: asparagus, bok choy / pak choi, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, chives, endive & escarole, leek, lettuce, napa cabbage and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Louisiana in March?
No - transplant outdoors runs Mar 5 – Mar 22 in Louisiana, so do it before March 22.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Louisiana in March?
No - transplant outdoors runs Feb 12 – Mar 1 in Louisiana, so do it before March 1.
When is the first frost in Louisiana?
The statewide average first fall frost is around November 15 and the last spring frost around March 5. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.
What can I harvest in Louisiana in March?
From plantings made on time: radish, spinach, arugula, tatsoi, mizuna, mustard greens, mache (corn salad), lettuce, turnip, rapini (broccoli raab).
What to plant in March in other states
Dates are computed from Louisiana’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.