What to plant in March in New York
In New York (NY), March sits about 7 weeks before the average last frost (May 1). The state averages 157 frost-free days a year (last frost May 1, first frost October 5; USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b).
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 New York frost dates (last frost May 1, first frost Oct 5). For one crop in detail, see when to plant pea, spinach or arugula in New York.
New York 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.
New York: planting activity through the year
Last chance in March
Eggplant (start seeds indoors, by Mar 6) · Parsley (start seeds indoors, by Mar 6) · Shallot (start seeds indoors, by Mar 6) · Bell Pepper (start seeds indoors, by Mar 13) · Chili Pepper (start seeds indoors, by Mar 13) · Ginger (start seeds indoors, by Mar 13) · Green Onion / Scallion (start seeds indoors, by Mar 13) · Mint (start seeds indoors, by Mar 13) · Oregano (start seeds indoors, by Mar 13) · Sage (start seeds indoors, by Mar 13) · Tarragon (start seeds indoors, by Mar 13) · Thyme (start seeds indoors, by Mar 13) · Turmeric (start seeds indoors, by Mar 13)
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.
| Crop | What to do | Window | This month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mache (Corn Salad) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 10 | Opens Mar 22 |
| Pea | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 10 | Opens Mar 22 |
| Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 10 | Opens Mar 22 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 13 | Opens Mar 27 |
| Arugula | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 17 | Opens Mar 29 |
| Beet | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 17 | Opens Mar 29 |
| Fava Bean (Broad Bean) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 17 | Opens Mar 29 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 17 | Opens Mar 29 |
| Mizuna | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 17 | Opens Mar 29 |
| Onion | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 17 | Opens Mar 29 |
| Radish | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 17 | Opens Mar 29 |
| Shallot | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 17 | Opens Mar 29 |
| Tatsoi | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 17 | Opens Mar 29 |
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.
| Crop | What to do | Window | This month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Last chance - ends Mar 6 |
| Parsley | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Last chance - ends Mar 6 |
| Shallot | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Last chance - ends Mar 6 |
| Bell Pepper | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Chili Pepper | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Ginger | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Mint | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Oregano | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Sage | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Tarragon | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Thyme | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Turmeric | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Ground Cherry | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Lemon Balm | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Tomatillo | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Tomato | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Start seeds indoors | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Cauliflower | Start seeds indoors | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Kale | Start seeds indoors | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Opens Mar 20 |
| Collard Greens | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Opens Mar 20 |
| Endive & Escarole | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Opens Mar 20 |
| Kohlrabi | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Opens Mar 20 |
| Malabar Spinach | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Opens Mar 20 |
| Okra | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Opens Mar 20 |
| Radicchio | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Opens Mar 20 |
| Summer Savory | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Opens Mar 20 |
| Bitter Melon | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Opens Mar 27 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Opens Mar 27 |
| Cucamelon | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Opens Mar 27 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Opens Mar 27 |
| Lettuce | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Opens Mar 27 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Opens Mar 27 |
| Napa Cabbage | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Opens Mar 27 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Opens Mar 27 |
| Peanut | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Opens Mar 27 |
| Swiss Chard | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Opens Mar 27 |
| Watercress | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Opens Mar 27 |
Planting dates for popular crops in New York
Every crop has its own full-year dates for New York: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Seed-starting season: March garden jobs in New York
- Start 43 crops indoors this month, including eggplant, parsley, shallot, bell pepper. Use a sterile mix and good light - see starting seeds indoors.
- 7 weeks until the average last frost (May 1). 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 New York
New York spans USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b. 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 New York 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 New York in March?
No - start seeds indoors runs Mar 6 – Mar 20 in New York, so do it before March 20.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in New York in March?
No - start seeds indoors runs Mar 27 – Apr 10 in New York.
When is the first frost in New York?
The statewide average first fall frost is around October 5 and the last spring frost around May 1. New York covers a wide range of climates, so local dates can differ by two weeks or more - look yours up by ZIP code.
What should I start indoors in March in New York?
Eggplant (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Parsley (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Shallot (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Bell Pepper (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Chili Pepper (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Ginger (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Green Onion / Scallion (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Mint (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Oregano (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Sage (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Tarragon (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Thyme (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Turmeric (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Ground Cherry (Mar 6 – Mar 20), Lemon Balm (Mar 6 – Mar 20), Shiso (Perilla) (Mar 6 – Mar 20), Sweet Marjoram (Mar 6 – Mar 20), Tomatillo (Mar 6 – Mar 20), Tomato (Mar 6 – Mar 20), Broccoli (Mar 13 – Mar 27), Brussels Sprouts (Mar 13 – Mar 27), Cabbage (Mar 13 – Mar 27), Cauliflower (Mar 13 – Mar 27), Kale (Mar 13 – Mar 27), Basil (Mar 20 – Apr 3), Collard Greens (Mar 20 – Apr 3), Endive & Escarole (Mar 20 – Apr 3), Kohlrabi (Mar 20 – Apr 3), Malabar Spinach (Mar 20 – Apr 3), Okra (Mar 20 – Apr 3), Radicchio (Mar 20 – Apr 3), Summer Savory (Mar 20 – Apr 3), Bitter Melon (Mar 27 – Apr 10), Bok Choy / Pak Choi (Mar 27 – Apr 10), Cucamelon (Mar 27 – Apr 10), Fennel (Bulb) (Mar 27 – Apr 10), Lettuce (Mar 27 – Apr 10), Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (Mar 27 – Apr 10), Napa Cabbage (Mar 27 – Apr 10), New Zealand Spinach (Mar 27 – Apr 10), Peanut (Mar 27 – Apr 10), Swiss Chard (Mar 27 – Apr 10), Watercress (Mar 27 – Apr 10).
What to plant in March in other states
Dates are computed from New York’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.