What to plant in March in North Dakota
In North Dakota (ND), March sits about 9 weeks before the average last frost (May 15). The state averages 128 frost-free days a year (last frost May 15, first frost September 20; USDA zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b).
29 crops have a sowing or planting window this month - and 5 of those windows close during March.
Dates here come from North Dakota frost dates (last frost May 15, first frost Sep 20). For one crop in detail, see when to plant onion, eggplant or bell pepper in North Dakota.
North Dakota: planting activity through the year
Last chance in March
Celeriac (start seeds indoors, by Mar 6) · Celery (start seeds indoors, by Mar 13) · Leek (start seeds indoors, by Mar 13) · Onion (start seeds indoors, by Mar 13) · Rosemary (start seeds indoors, by Mar 13)
Start seeds indoors in March (29)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celeriac | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Last chance - ends Mar 6 |
| Celery | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Leek | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Onion | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Rosemary | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Last chance - ends Mar 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Parsley | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Shallot | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Bell Pepper | Start seeds indoors | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Chili Pepper | Start seeds indoors | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Ginger | Start seeds indoors | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Start seeds indoors | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Mint | Start seeds indoors | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Oregano | Start seeds indoors | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Sage | Start seeds indoors | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Tarragon | Start seeds indoors | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Thyme | Start seeds indoors | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Turmeric | Start seeds indoors | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Ground Cherry | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Opens Mar 20 |
| Lemon Balm | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Opens Mar 20 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Opens Mar 20 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Opens Mar 20 |
| Tomatillo | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Opens Mar 20 |
| Tomato | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Opens Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Opens Mar 27 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Opens Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Opens Mar 27 |
| Cauliflower | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Opens Mar 27 |
| Kale | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Opens Mar 27 |
Planting dates for popular crops in North Dakota
Every crop has its own full-year dates for North Dakota: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Seed-starting season: March garden jobs in North Dakota
- Start 29 crops indoors this month, including celeriac, celery, leek, onion. Use a sterile mix and good light - see starting seeds indoors.
- 9 weeks until the average last frost (May 15). 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 North Dakota
North Dakota spans USDA zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b. 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 North Dakota in March?
29 crops have a window in March: celeriac, celery, leek, onion, rosemary, eggplant, parsley, shallot, bell pepper, chili pepper and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in North Dakota in March?
No - start seeds indoors runs Mar 20 – Apr 3 in North Dakota.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in North Dakota in March?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In North Dakota the next lettuce window opens around April 10: start seeds indoors.
When is the first frost in North Dakota?
The statewide average first fall frost is around September 20 and the last spring frost around May 15. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.
What should I start indoors in March in North Dakota?
Celeriac (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Celery (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Leek (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Onion (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Rosemary (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Eggplant (Mar 6 – Mar 20), Parsley (Mar 6 – Mar 20), Shallot (Mar 6 – Mar 20), Bell Pepper (Mar 13 – Mar 27), Chili Pepper (Mar 13 – Mar 27), Ginger (Mar 13 – Mar 27), Green Onion / Scallion (Mar 13 – Mar 27), Mint (Mar 13 – Mar 27), Oregano (Mar 13 – Mar 27), Sage (Mar 13 – Mar 27), Tarragon (Mar 13 – Mar 27), Thyme (Mar 13 – Mar 27), Turmeric (Mar 13 – Mar 27), Ground Cherry (Mar 20 – Apr 3), Lemon Balm (Mar 20 – Apr 3), Shiso (Perilla) (Mar 20 – Apr 3), Sweet Marjoram (Mar 20 – Apr 3), Tomatillo (Mar 20 – Apr 3), Tomato (Mar 20 – Apr 3), Broccoli (Mar 27 – Apr 10), Brussels Sprouts (Mar 27 – Apr 10), Cabbage (Mar 27 – Apr 10), Cauliflower (Mar 27 – Apr 10), Kale (Mar 27 – Apr 10).
What to plant in March in other states
Dates are computed from North Dakota’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.