What to plant in March in Minnesota
In Minnesota (MN), March sits about 7 weeks before the average last frost (May 6). The state averages 145 frost-free days a year (last frost May 6, first frost September 28; USDA zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a).
39 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including mache (corn salad), pea, spinach - and 7 of those windows close during March.
Dates here come from Minnesota frost dates (last frost May 6, first frost Sep 28). For one crop in detail, see when to plant pea, spinach or onion in Minnesota.
Minnesota: planting activity through the year
Last chance in March
Celery (start seeds indoors, by Mar 4) · Leek (start seeds indoors, by Mar 4) · Onion (start seeds indoors, by Mar 4) · Rosemary (start seeds indoors, by Mar 4) · Eggplant (start seeds indoors, by Mar 11) · Parsley (start seeds indoors, by Mar 11) · Shallot (start seeds indoors, by Mar 11)
Sow or plant outdoors in March (3)
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 27 – Apr 15 | Opens Mar 27 |
| Pea | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 15 | Opens Mar 27 |
| Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 15 | Opens Mar 27 |
Start seeds indoors in March (36)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celery | Start seeds indoors | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Last chance - ends Mar 4 |
| Leek | Start seeds indoors | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Last chance - ends Mar 4 |
| Onion | Start seeds indoors | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Last chance - ends Mar 4 |
| Rosemary | Start seeds indoors | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Last chance - ends Mar 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Last chance - ends Mar 11 |
| Parsley | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Last chance - ends Mar 11 |
| Shallot | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Last chance - ends Mar 11 |
| Bell Pepper | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Chili Pepper | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Ginger | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Mint | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Oregano | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Sage | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Tarragon | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Thyme | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Turmeric | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Ground Cherry | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Lemon Balm | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Tomatillo | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Tomato | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Opens Mar 18 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Opens Mar 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Opens Mar 18 |
| Cauliflower | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Opens Mar 18 |
| Kale | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Opens Mar 18 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Opens Mar 25 |
| Collard Greens | Start seeds indoors | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Opens Mar 25 |
| Endive & Escarole | Start seeds indoors | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Opens Mar 25 |
| Kohlrabi | Start seeds indoors | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Opens Mar 25 |
| Malabar Spinach | Start seeds indoors | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Opens Mar 25 |
| Okra | Start seeds indoors | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Opens Mar 25 |
| Radicchio | Start seeds indoors | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Opens Mar 25 |
| Summer Savory | Start seeds indoors | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Opens Mar 25 |
Planting dates for popular crops in Minnesota
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Minnesota: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Seed-starting season: March garden jobs in Minnesota
- Start 36 crops indoors this month, including celery, leek, onion, rosemary. Use a sterile mix and good light - see starting seeds indoors.
- 7 weeks until the average last frost (May 6). 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 Minnesota
Minnesota spans USDA zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a. 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 Minnesota in March?
39 crops have a window in March: mache (corn salad), pea, spinach, celery, leek, onion, rosemary, eggplant, parsley, shallot and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Minnesota in March?
No - start seeds indoors runs Mar 11 – Mar 25 in Minnesota, so do it before March 25.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Minnesota in March?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Minnesota the next lettuce window opens around April 1: start seeds indoors.
When is the first frost in Minnesota?
The statewide average first fall frost is around September 28 and the last spring frost around May 6. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.
What should I start indoors in March in Minnesota?
Celery (Feb 18 – Mar 4), Leek (Feb 18 – Mar 4), Onion (Feb 18 – Mar 4), Rosemary (Feb 18 – Mar 4), Eggplant (Feb 25 – Mar 11), Parsley (Feb 25 – Mar 11), Shallot (Feb 25 – Mar 11), Bell Pepper (Mar 4 – Mar 18), Chili Pepper (Mar 4 – Mar 18), Ginger (Mar 4 – Mar 18), Green Onion / Scallion (Mar 4 – Mar 18), Mint (Mar 4 – Mar 18), Oregano (Mar 4 – Mar 18), Sage (Mar 4 – Mar 18), Tarragon (Mar 4 – Mar 18), Thyme (Mar 4 – Mar 18), Turmeric (Mar 4 – Mar 18), Ground Cherry (Mar 11 – Mar 25), Lemon Balm (Mar 11 – Mar 25), Shiso (Perilla) (Mar 11 – Mar 25), Sweet Marjoram (Mar 11 – Mar 25), Tomatillo (Mar 11 – Mar 25), Tomato (Mar 11 – Mar 25), Broccoli (Mar 18 – Apr 1), Brussels Sprouts (Mar 18 – Apr 1), Cabbage (Mar 18 – Apr 1), Cauliflower (Mar 18 – Apr 1), Kale (Mar 18 – Apr 1), Basil (Mar 25 – Apr 8), Collard Greens (Mar 25 – Apr 8), Endive & Escarole (Mar 25 – Apr 8), Kohlrabi (Mar 25 – Apr 8), Malabar Spinach (Mar 25 – Apr 8), Okra (Mar 25 – Apr 8), Radicchio (Mar 25 – Apr 8), Summer Savory (Mar 25 – Apr 8).
What to plant in March in other states
Dates are computed from Minnesota’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.