My Planting Calendar

What to plant in March in Nebraska

In Nebraska (NE), March sits about 7 weeks before the average last frost (April 30). The state averages 158 frost-free days a year (last frost April 30, first frost October 5; USDA zones 4b, 5a, 5b).

53 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including mache (corn salad), pea, spinach, green onion / scallion, arugula, beet - and 13 of those windows close during March.

Dates here come from Nebraska frost dates (last frost Apr 30, first frost Oct 5). For one crop in detail, see when to plant pea, spinach or arugula in Nebraska.

Seed-starting seasonSow or plant: 53Start indoors: 43Harvesting: 0

Nebraska: planting activity through the year

0
18
53
76
69
28
35
28
1
2
1
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Apr 30 – Oct 5
Bars count the vegetables, herbs and fruit with a sowing or planting window in each month, from the state’s average frost dates. 53 have one in March; the busiest month is April (76).

Last chance in March

Eggplant (start seeds indoors, by Mar 5) · Parsley (start seeds indoors, by Mar 5) · Shallot (start seeds indoors, by Mar 5) · Bell Pepper (start seeds indoors, by Mar 12) · Chili Pepper (start seeds indoors, by Mar 12) · Ginger (start seeds indoors, by Mar 12) · Green Onion / Scallion (start seeds indoors, by Mar 12) · Mint (start seeds indoors, by Mar 12) · Oregano (start seeds indoors, by Mar 12) · Sage (start seeds indoors, by Mar 12) · Tarragon (start seeds indoors, by Mar 12) · Thyme (start seeds indoors, by Mar 12) · Turmeric (start seeds indoors, by Mar 12)

Sow or plant outdoors in March (13)

Direct sowing and transplanting windows that fall in March, most urgent first. Windows are one-to-two-week bands around the ideal date.

CropWhat to doWindowThis month
Mache (Corn Salad)Direct sow (spring)Mar 21 – Apr 9Opens Mar 21
PeaDirect sow (spring)Mar 21 – Apr 9Opens Mar 21
SpinachDirect sow (spring)Mar 21 – Apr 9Opens Mar 21
Green Onion / ScallionTransplant outdoorsMar 26 – Apr 12Opens Mar 26
ArugulaDirect sow (spring)Mar 28 – Apr 16Opens Mar 28
BeetDirect sow (spring)Mar 28 – Apr 16Opens Mar 28
Fava Bean (Broad Bean)Direct sow (spring)Mar 28 – Apr 16Opens Mar 28
Green Onion / ScallionDirect sow (spring)Mar 28 – Apr 16Opens Mar 28
MizunaDirect sow (spring)Mar 28 – Apr 16Opens Mar 28
OnionDirect sow (spring)Mar 28 – Apr 16Opens Mar 28
RadishDirect sow (spring)Mar 28 – Apr 16Opens Mar 28
ShallotDirect sow (spring)Mar 28 – Apr 16Opens Mar 28
TatsoiDirect sow (spring)Mar 28 – Apr 16Opens Mar 28

Start seeds indoors in March (43)

Indoor sowings for transplants later. Six to eight weeks under lights is typical for tomatoes and peppers; onions and leeks need longer.

CropWhat to doWindowThis month
EggplantStart seeds indoorsFeb 19 – Mar 5Last chance - ends Mar 5
ParsleyStart seeds indoorsFeb 19 – Mar 5Last chance - ends Mar 5
ShallotStart seeds indoorsFeb 19 – Mar 5Last chance - ends Mar 5
Bell PepperStart seeds indoorsFeb 26 – Mar 12Last chance - ends Mar 12
Chili PepperStart seeds indoorsFeb 26 – Mar 12Last chance - ends Mar 12
GingerStart seeds indoorsFeb 26 – Mar 12Last chance - ends Mar 12
Green Onion / ScallionStart seeds indoorsFeb 26 – Mar 12Last chance - ends Mar 12
MintStart seeds indoorsFeb 26 – Mar 12Last chance - ends Mar 12
OreganoStart seeds indoorsFeb 26 – Mar 12Last chance - ends Mar 12
SageStart seeds indoorsFeb 26 – Mar 12Last chance - ends Mar 12
TarragonStart seeds indoorsFeb 26 – Mar 12Last chance - ends Mar 12
ThymeStart seeds indoorsFeb 26 – Mar 12Last chance - ends Mar 12
TurmericStart seeds indoorsFeb 26 – Mar 12Last chance - ends Mar 12
Ground CherryStart seeds indoorsMar 5 – Mar 19Mar 5 – Mar 19
Lemon BalmStart seeds indoorsMar 5 – Mar 19Mar 5 – Mar 19
Shiso (Perilla)Start seeds indoorsMar 5 – Mar 19Mar 5 – Mar 19
Sweet MarjoramStart seeds indoorsMar 5 – Mar 19Mar 5 – Mar 19
TomatilloStart seeds indoorsMar 5 – Mar 19Mar 5 – Mar 19
TomatoStart seeds indoorsMar 5 – Mar 19Mar 5 – Mar 19
BroccoliStart seeds indoorsMar 12 – Mar 26Mar 12 – Mar 26
Brussels SproutsStart seeds indoorsMar 12 – Mar 26Mar 12 – Mar 26
CabbageStart seeds indoorsMar 12 – Mar 26Mar 12 – Mar 26
CauliflowerStart seeds indoorsMar 12 – Mar 26Mar 12 – Mar 26
KaleStart seeds indoorsMar 12 – Mar 26Mar 12 – Mar 26
BasilStart seeds indoorsMar 19 – Apr 2Opens Mar 19
Collard GreensStart seeds indoorsMar 19 – Apr 2Opens Mar 19
Endive & EscaroleStart seeds indoorsMar 19 – Apr 2Opens Mar 19
KohlrabiStart seeds indoorsMar 19 – Apr 2Opens Mar 19
Malabar SpinachStart seeds indoorsMar 19 – Apr 2Opens Mar 19
OkraStart seeds indoorsMar 19 – Apr 2Opens Mar 19
RadicchioStart seeds indoorsMar 19 – Apr 2Opens Mar 19
Summer SavoryStart seeds indoorsMar 19 – Apr 2Opens Mar 19
Bitter MelonStart seeds indoorsMar 26 – Apr 9Opens Mar 26
Bok Choy / Pak ChoiStart seeds indoorsMar 26 – Apr 9Opens Mar 26
CucamelonStart seeds indoorsMar 26 – Apr 9Opens Mar 26
Fennel (Bulb)Start seeds indoorsMar 26 – Apr 9Opens Mar 26
LettuceStart seeds indoorsMar 26 – Apr 9Opens Mar 26
Luffa (Loofah Gourd)Start seeds indoorsMar 26 – Apr 9Opens Mar 26
Napa CabbageStart seeds indoorsMar 26 – Apr 9Opens Mar 26
New Zealand SpinachStart seeds indoorsMar 26 – Apr 9Opens Mar 26
PeanutStart seeds indoorsMar 26 – Apr 9Opens Mar 26
Swiss ChardStart seeds indoorsMar 26 – Apr 9Opens Mar 26
WatercressStart seeds indoorsMar 26 – Apr 9Opens Mar 26

Planting dates for popular crops in Nebraska

Every crop has its own full-year dates for Nebraska: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.

When to plant pea in Nebraska →When to plant spinach in Nebraska →When to plant arugula in Nebraska →When to plant beet in Nebraska →When to plant onion in Nebraska →When to plant radish in Nebraska →When to plant eggplant in Nebraska →When to plant bell pepper in Nebraska →Nebraska frost dates by zone →

Seed-starting season: March garden jobs in Nebraska

  1. Start 43 crops indoors this month, including eggplant, parsley, shallot, bell pepper. Use a sterile mix and good light - see starting seeds indoors.
  2. 7 weeks until the average last frost (April 30). The seed-starting calculator works out each crop's exact sowing date from it.
  3. 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.
  4. 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 Nebraska

Nebraska spans USDA zones 4b, 5a, 5b. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average.

ZoneLast frostFirst frostSeason
Zone 4May 10Sep 25135 days
Zone 5Apr 30Oct 5160 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Nebraska in March?

53 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 Nebraska in March?

No - start seeds indoors runs Mar 5 – Mar 19 in Nebraska, so do it before March 19.

Is it too late to plant lettuce in Nebraska in March?

No - start seeds indoors runs Mar 26 – Apr 9 in Nebraska.

When is the first frost in Nebraska?

The statewide average first fall frost is around October 5 and the last spring frost around April 30. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.

What should I start indoors in March in Nebraska?

Eggplant (Feb 19 – Mar 5), Parsley (Feb 19 – Mar 5), Shallot (Feb 19 – Mar 5), Bell Pepper (Feb 26 – Mar 12), Chili Pepper (Feb 26 – Mar 12), Ginger (Feb 26 – Mar 12), Green Onion / Scallion (Feb 26 – Mar 12), Mint (Feb 26 – Mar 12), Oregano (Feb 26 – Mar 12), Sage (Feb 26 – Mar 12), Tarragon (Feb 26 – Mar 12), Thyme (Feb 26 – Mar 12), Turmeric (Feb 26 – Mar 12), Ground Cherry (Mar 5 – Mar 19), Lemon Balm (Mar 5 – Mar 19), Shiso (Perilla) (Mar 5 – Mar 19), Sweet Marjoram (Mar 5 – Mar 19), Tomatillo (Mar 5 – Mar 19), Tomato (Mar 5 – Mar 19), Broccoli (Mar 12 – Mar 26), Brussels Sprouts (Mar 12 – Mar 26), Cabbage (Mar 12 – Mar 26), Cauliflower (Mar 12 – Mar 26), Kale (Mar 12 – Mar 26), Basil (Mar 19 – Apr 2), Collard Greens (Mar 19 – Apr 2), Endive & Escarole (Mar 19 – Apr 2), Kohlrabi (Mar 19 – Apr 2), Malabar Spinach (Mar 19 – Apr 2), Okra (Mar 19 – Apr 2), Radicchio (Mar 19 – Apr 2), Summer Savory (Mar 19 – Apr 2), Bitter Melon (Mar 26 – Apr 9), Bok Choy / Pak Choi (Mar 26 – Apr 9), Cucamelon (Mar 26 – Apr 9), Fennel (Bulb) (Mar 26 – Apr 9), Lettuce (Mar 26 – Apr 9), Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (Mar 26 – Apr 9), Napa Cabbage (Mar 26 – Apr 9), New Zealand Spinach (Mar 26 – Apr 9), Peanut (Mar 26 – Apr 9), Swiss Chard (Mar 26 – Apr 9), Watercress (Mar 26 – Apr 9).

← February in NebraskaApril in Nebraska →Full-year Nebraska planting calendar →Nebraska frost dates →

What to plant in March in other states

KansasNorth DakotaOklahomaSouth DakotaAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasAll states →

Dates are computed from Nebraska’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.