My Planting Calendar

What to plant in March in South Dakota

In South Dakota (SD), March sits about 8 weeks before the average last frost (May 10). The state averages 138 frost-free days a year (last frost May 10, first frost September 25; USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a).

40 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including mache (corn salad), pea, spinach - and 5 of those windows close during March.

Dates here come from South Dakota frost dates (last frost May 10, first frost Sep 25). For one crop in detail, see when to plant pea, spinach or onion in South Dakota.

Seed-starting seasonSow or plant: 40Start indoors: 37Harvesting: 0

South Dakota: planting activity through the year

0
5
40
64
84
53
37
19
1
2
0
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: May 10 – Sep 25
Bars count the vegetables, herbs and fruit with a sowing or planting window in each month, from the state’s average frost dates. 40 have one in March; the busiest month is May (84).

Last chance in March

Celeriac (start seeds indoors, by Mar 1) · Celery (start seeds indoors, by Mar 8) · Leek (start seeds indoors, by Mar 8) · Onion (start seeds indoors, by Mar 8) · Rosemary (start seeds indoors, by Mar 8)

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.

CropWhat to doWindowThis month
Mache (Corn Salad)Direct sow (spring)Mar 31 – Apr 19Opens Mar 31
PeaDirect sow (spring)Mar 31 – Apr 19Opens Mar 31
SpinachDirect sow (spring)Mar 31 – Apr 19Opens Mar 31

Start seeds indoors in March (37)

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
CeleriacStart seeds indoorsFeb 15 – Mar 1Last chance - ends Mar 1
CeleryStart seeds indoorsFeb 22 – Mar 8Last chance - ends Mar 8
LeekStart seeds indoorsFeb 22 – Mar 8Last chance - ends Mar 8
OnionStart seeds indoorsFeb 22 – Mar 8Last chance - ends Mar 8
RosemaryStart seeds indoorsFeb 22 – Mar 8Last chance - ends Mar 8
EggplantStart seeds indoorsMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 1 – Mar 15
ParsleyStart seeds indoorsMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 1 – Mar 15
ShallotStart seeds indoorsMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 1 – Mar 15
Bell PepperStart seeds indoorsMar 8 – Mar 22Mar 8 – Mar 22
Chili PepperStart seeds indoorsMar 8 – Mar 22Mar 8 – Mar 22
GingerStart seeds indoorsMar 8 – Mar 22Mar 8 – Mar 22
Green Onion / ScallionStart seeds indoorsMar 8 – Mar 22Mar 8 – Mar 22
MintStart seeds indoorsMar 8 – Mar 22Mar 8 – Mar 22
OreganoStart seeds indoorsMar 8 – Mar 22Mar 8 – Mar 22
SageStart seeds indoorsMar 8 – Mar 22Mar 8 – Mar 22
TarragonStart seeds indoorsMar 8 – Mar 22Mar 8 – Mar 22
ThymeStart seeds indoorsMar 8 – Mar 22Mar 8 – Mar 22
TurmericStart seeds indoorsMar 8 – Mar 22Mar 8 – Mar 22
Ground CherryStart seeds indoorsMar 15 – Mar 29Mar 15 – Mar 29
Lemon BalmStart seeds indoorsMar 15 – Mar 29Mar 15 – Mar 29
Shiso (Perilla)Start seeds indoorsMar 15 – Mar 29Mar 15 – Mar 29
Sweet MarjoramStart seeds indoorsMar 15 – Mar 29Mar 15 – Mar 29
TomatilloStart seeds indoorsMar 15 – Mar 29Mar 15 – Mar 29
TomatoStart seeds indoorsMar 15 – Mar 29Mar 15 – Mar 29
BroccoliStart seeds indoorsMar 22 – Apr 5Opens Mar 22
Brussels SproutsStart seeds indoorsMar 22 – Apr 5Opens Mar 22
CabbageStart seeds indoorsMar 22 – Apr 5Opens Mar 22
CauliflowerStart seeds indoorsMar 22 – Apr 5Opens Mar 22
KaleStart seeds indoorsMar 22 – Apr 5Opens Mar 22
BasilStart seeds indoorsMar 29 – Apr 12Opens Mar 29
Collard GreensStart seeds indoorsMar 29 – Apr 12Opens Mar 29
Endive & EscaroleStart seeds indoorsMar 29 – Apr 12Opens Mar 29
KohlrabiStart seeds indoorsMar 29 – Apr 12Opens Mar 29
Malabar SpinachStart seeds indoorsMar 29 – Apr 12Opens Mar 29
OkraStart seeds indoorsMar 29 – Apr 12Opens Mar 29
RadicchioStart seeds indoorsMar 29 – Apr 12Opens Mar 29
Summer SavoryStart seeds indoorsMar 29 – Apr 12Opens Mar 29

Planting dates for popular crops in South Dakota

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

When to plant pea in South Dakota →When to plant spinach in South Dakota →When to plant onion in South Dakota →When to plant eggplant in South Dakota →When to plant bell pepper in South Dakota →When to plant chili pepper in South Dakota →When to plant tomato in South Dakota →When to plant broccoli in South Dakota →South Dakota frost dates by zone →

Seed-starting season: March garden jobs in South Dakota

  1. Start 37 crops indoors this month, including celeriac, celery, leek, onion. Use a sterile mix and good light - see starting seeds indoors.
  2. 8 weeks until the average last frost (May 10). 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 South Dakota

South Dakota spans USDA zones 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.

ZoneLast frostFirst frostSeason
Zone 3May 15Sep 15120 days
Zone 4May 10Sep 25135 days
Zone 5Apr 30Oct 5160 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in South Dakota in March?

40 crops have a window in March: mache (corn salad), pea, spinach, celeriac, celery, leek, onion, rosemary, eggplant, parsley and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.

Is it too late to plant tomatoes in South Dakota in March?

No - start seeds indoors runs Mar 15 – Mar 29 in South Dakota, so do it before March 29.

Is it too late to plant lettuce in South Dakota in March?

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In South Dakota the next lettuce window opens around April 5: start seeds indoors.

When is the first frost in South Dakota?

The statewide average first fall frost is around September 25 and the last spring frost around May 10. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.

What should I start indoors in March in South Dakota?

Celeriac (Feb 15 – Mar 1), Celery (Feb 22 – Mar 8), Leek (Feb 22 – Mar 8), Onion (Feb 22 – Mar 8), Rosemary (Feb 22 – Mar 8), Eggplant (Mar 1 – Mar 15), Parsley (Mar 1 – Mar 15), Shallot (Mar 1 – Mar 15), Bell Pepper (Mar 8 – Mar 22), Chili Pepper (Mar 8 – Mar 22), Ginger (Mar 8 – Mar 22), Green Onion / Scallion (Mar 8 – Mar 22), Mint (Mar 8 – Mar 22), Oregano (Mar 8 – Mar 22), Sage (Mar 8 – Mar 22), Tarragon (Mar 8 – Mar 22), Thyme (Mar 8 – Mar 22), Turmeric (Mar 8 – Mar 22), Ground Cherry (Mar 15 – Mar 29), Lemon Balm (Mar 15 – Mar 29), Shiso (Perilla) (Mar 15 – Mar 29), Sweet Marjoram (Mar 15 – Mar 29), Tomatillo (Mar 15 – Mar 29), Tomato (Mar 15 – Mar 29), Broccoli (Mar 22 – Apr 5), Brussels Sprouts (Mar 22 – Apr 5), Cabbage (Mar 22 – Apr 5), Cauliflower (Mar 22 – Apr 5), Kale (Mar 22 – Apr 5), Basil (Mar 29 – Apr 12), Collard Greens (Mar 29 – Apr 12), Endive & Escarole (Mar 29 – Apr 12), Kohlrabi (Mar 29 – Apr 12), Malabar Spinach (Mar 29 – Apr 12), Okra (Mar 29 – Apr 12), Radicchio (Mar 29 – Apr 12), Summer Savory (Mar 29 – Apr 12).

← February in South DakotaApril in South Dakota →Full-year South Dakota planting calendar →South Dakota frost dates →

What to plant in March in other states

KansasNebraskaNorth DakotaOklahomaAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasAll states →

Dates are computed from South 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.