What to plant in March in Texas
In Texas (TX), the average last frost (March 15) falls in March itself. The state averages 245 frost-free days a year (last frost March 15, first frost November 15; USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a).
90 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including arugula, beet, fava bean (broad bean), green onion / scallion, mizuna, onion - and 59 of those windows close during March.
Dates here come from Texas frost dates (last frost Mar 15, first frost Nov 15). For one crop in detail, see when to plant arugula, beet or onion in Texas.
Texas 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.
Texas: planting activity through the year
Last chance in March
Cantaloupe / Muskmelon (start seeds indoors, by Mar 1) · Cucumber (start seeds indoors, by Mar 1) · Pumpkin (start seeds indoors, by Mar 1) · Sunflower (start seeds indoors, by Mar 1) · Watermelon (start seeds indoors, by Mar 1) · Winter Squash (start seeds indoors, by Mar 1) · Zucchini / Summer Squash (start seeds indoors, by Mar 1) · Arugula (direct sow (spring), by Mar 1) · Beet (direct sow (spring), by Mar 1) · Fava Bean (Broad Bean) (direct sow (spring), by Mar 1) · Green Onion / Scallion (direct sow (spring), by Mar 1) · Mizuna (direct sow (spring), by Mar 1) · Onion (direct sow (spring), by Mar 1) · Radish (direct sow (spring), by Mar 1) · Shallot (direct sow (spring), by Mar 1) · Tatsoi (direct sow (spring), by Mar 1) · Cabbage (transplant outdoors, by Mar 4) · Collard Greens (transplant outdoors, by Mar 4) · Horseradish (plant crowns / divisions, by Mar 4) · Kale (transplant outdoors, by Mar 4) · Kohlrabi (transplant outdoors, by Mar 4) · Onion (transplant outdoors, by Mar 4) · Rhubarb (plant crowns / divisions, by Mar 4) · Shallot (transplant outdoors, by Mar 4) · Carrot (direct sow (spring), by Mar 8) · Chervil (direct sow (spring), by Mar 8) · Endive & Escarole (direct sow (spring), by Mar 8) · Kohlrabi (direct sow (spring), by Mar 8) · Lettuce (direct sow (spring), by Mar 8) · Mustard Greens (direct sow (spring), by Mar 8) · Rapini (Broccoli Raab) (direct sow (spring), by Mar 8) · Turnip (direct sow (spring), by Mar 8) · Watercress (direct sow (spring), by Mar 8) · Asparagus (plant crowns / divisions, by Mar 11) · Bok Choy / Pak Choi (transplant outdoors, by Mar 11) · Broccoli (transplant outdoors, by Mar 11) · Brussels Sprouts (transplant outdoors, by Mar 11) · Cauliflower (transplant outdoors, by Mar 11) · Chives (plant crowns / divisions, by Mar 11) · Endive & Escarole (transplant outdoors, by Mar 11) · Leek (transplant outdoors, by Mar 11) · Lettuce (transplant outdoors, by Mar 11) · Napa Cabbage (transplant outdoors, by Mar 11) · Parsley (transplant outdoors, by Mar 11) · Radicchio (transplant outdoors, by Mar 11) · Sorrel (plant crowns / divisions, by Mar 11) · Swiss Chard (transplant outdoors, by Mar 11) · Watercress (transplant outdoors, by Mar 11) · Bok Choy / Pak Choi (direct sow (spring), by Mar 15) · Borage (direct sow (spring), by Mar 15) · Cilantro / Coriander (direct sow (spring), by Mar 15) · Collard Greens (direct sow (spring), by Mar 15) · Kale (direct sow (spring), by Mar 15) · Leek (direct sow (spring), by Mar 15) · Napa Cabbage (direct sow (spring), by Mar 15) · Parsley (direct sow (spring), by Mar 15) · Potato (direct sow (spring), by Mar 15) · Radicchio (direct sow (spring), by Mar 15) · Salsify (direct sow (spring), by Mar 15)
Sow or plant outdoors in March (121)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arugula | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 1 | Last chance - ends Mar 1 |
| Beet | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 1 | Last chance - ends Mar 1 |
| Fava Bean (Broad Bean) | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 1 | Last chance - ends Mar 1 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 1 | Last chance - ends Mar 1 |
| Mizuna | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 1 | Last chance - ends Mar 1 |
| Onion | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 1 | Last chance - ends Mar 1 |
| Radish | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 1 | Last chance - ends Mar 1 |
| Shallot | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 1 | Last chance - ends Mar 1 |
| Tatsoi | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 1 | Last chance - ends Mar 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors | Feb 15 – Mar 4 | Last chance - ends Mar 4 |
| Collard Greens | Transplant outdoors | Feb 15 – Mar 4 | Last chance - ends Mar 4 |
| Horseradish | Plant crowns / divisions | Feb 15 – Mar 4 | Last chance - ends Mar 4 |
| Kale | Transplant outdoors | Feb 15 – Mar 4 | Last chance - ends Mar 4 |
| Kohlrabi | Transplant outdoors | Feb 15 – Mar 4 | Last chance - ends Mar 4 |
| Onion | Transplant outdoors | Feb 15 – Mar 4 | Last chance - ends Mar 4 |
| Rhubarb | Plant crowns / divisions | Feb 15 – Mar 4 | Last chance - ends Mar 4 |
| Shallot | Transplant outdoors | Feb 15 – Mar 4 | Last chance - ends Mar 4 |
| Carrot | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 8 | Last chance - ends Mar 8 |
| Chervil | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 8 | Last chance - ends Mar 8 |
| Endive & Escarole | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 8 | Last chance - ends Mar 8 |
| Kohlrabi | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 8 | Last chance - ends Mar 8 |
| Lettuce | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 8 | Last chance - ends Mar 8 |
| Mustard Greens | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 8 | Last chance - ends Mar 8 |
| Rapini (Broccoli Raab) | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 8 | Last chance - ends Mar 8 |
| Turnip | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 8 | Last chance - ends Mar 8 |
| Watercress | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 8 | Last chance - ends Mar 8 |
| Asparagus | Plant crowns / divisions | Feb 22 – Mar 11 | Last chance - ends Mar 11 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Transplant outdoors | Feb 22 – Mar 11 | Last chance - ends Mar 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors | Feb 22 – Mar 11 | Last chance - ends Mar 11 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Transplant outdoors | Feb 22 – Mar 11 | Last chance - ends Mar 11 |
| Cauliflower | Transplant outdoors | Feb 22 – Mar 11 | Last chance - ends Mar 11 |
| Chives | Plant crowns / divisions | Feb 22 – Mar 11 | Last chance - ends Mar 11 |
| Endive & Escarole | Transplant outdoors | Feb 22 – Mar 11 | Last chance - ends Mar 11 |
| Leek | Transplant outdoors | Feb 22 – Mar 11 | Last chance - ends Mar 11 |
| Lettuce | Transplant outdoors | Feb 22 – Mar 11 | Last chance - ends Mar 11 |
| Napa Cabbage | Transplant outdoors | Feb 22 – Mar 11 | Last chance - ends Mar 11 |
| Parsley | Transplant outdoors | Feb 22 – Mar 11 | Last chance - ends Mar 11 |
| Radicchio | Transplant outdoors | Feb 22 – Mar 11 | Last chance - ends Mar 11 |
| Sorrel | Plant crowns / divisions | Feb 22 – Mar 11 | Last chance - ends Mar 11 |
| Swiss Chard | Transplant outdoors | Feb 22 – Mar 11 | Last chance - ends Mar 11 |
| Watercress | Transplant outdoors | Feb 22 – Mar 11 | Last chance - ends Mar 11 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 15 | Last chance - ends Mar 15 |
| Borage | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 15 | Last chance - ends Mar 15 |
| Cilantro / Coriander | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 15 | Last chance - ends Mar 15 |
| Collard Greens | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 15 | Last chance - ends Mar 15 |
| Kale | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 15 | Last chance - ends Mar 15 |
| Leek | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 15 | Last chance - ends Mar 15 |
| Napa Cabbage | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 15 | Last chance - ends Mar 15 |
| Parsley | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 15 | Last chance - ends Mar 15 |
| Potato | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 15 | Last chance - ends Mar 15 |
| Radicchio | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 15 | Last chance - ends Mar 15 |
| Salsify | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 15 | Last chance - ends Mar 15 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Transplant outdoors | Mar 1 – Mar 18 | Mar 1 – Mar 18 |
| Globe Artichoke | Plant crowns / divisions | Mar 1 – Mar 18 | Mar 1 – Mar 18 |
| Lemon Balm | Transplant outdoors | Mar 1 – Mar 18 | Mar 1 – Mar 18 |
| Mint | Transplant outdoors | Mar 1 – Mar 18 | Mar 1 – Mar 18 |
| Tarragon | Transplant outdoors | Mar 1 – Mar 18 | Mar 1 – Mar 18 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 22 | Mar 3 – Mar 22 |
| Lemon Balm | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 22 | Mar 3 – Mar 22 |
| Parsnip | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 22 | Mar 3 – Mar 22 |
| Swiss Chard | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 22 | Mar 3 – Mar 22 |
| Celeriac | Transplant outdoors | Mar 8 – Mar 25 | Mar 8 – Mar 25 |
| Celery | Transplant outdoors | Mar 8 – Mar 25 | Mar 8 – Mar 25 |
| Oregano | Transplant outdoors | Mar 8 – Mar 25 | Mar 8 – Mar 25 |
| Sage | Transplant outdoors | Mar 8 – Mar 25 | Mar 8 – Mar 25 |
| Thyme | Transplant outdoors | Mar 8 – Mar 25 | Mar 8 – Mar 25 |
| Dill | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 10 – Mar 29 | Mar 10 – Mar 29 |
| Sunflower | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 10 – Mar 29 | Mar 10 – Mar 29 |
| Ground Cherry | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Opens Mar 15 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Opens Mar 15 |
| Peanut | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Opens Mar 15 |
| Pumpkin | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Opens Mar 15 |
| Rosemary | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Opens Mar 15 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Opens Mar 15 |
| Summer Savory | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Opens Mar 15 |
| Sunflower | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Opens Mar 15 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Opens Mar 15 |
| Tomatillo | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Opens Mar 15 |
| Tomato | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Opens Mar 15 |
| Winter Squash | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Opens Mar 15 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Opens Mar 15 |
| Amaranth (Leaf) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Opens Mar 17 |
| Bush Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Opens Mar 17 |
| Edamame (Soybean) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Opens Mar 17 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Opens Mar 17 |
| Pole Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Opens Mar 17 |
| Pumpkin | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Opens Mar 17 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Opens Mar 17 |
| Summer Savory | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Opens Mar 17 |
| Sweet Corn | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Opens Mar 17 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Opens Mar 17 |
| Winter Squash | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Opens Mar 17 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Opens Mar 17 |
| Basil | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 8 | Opens Mar 22 |
| Bell Pepper | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 8 | Opens Mar 22 |
| Bitter Melon | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 8 | Opens Mar 22 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 8 | Opens Mar 22 |
| Chili Pepper | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 8 | Opens Mar 22 |
| Cucamelon | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 8 | Opens Mar 22 |
| Cucumber | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 8 | Opens Mar 22 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 8 | Opens Mar 22 |
| Malabar Spinach | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 8 | Opens Mar 22 |
| Okra | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 8 | Opens Mar 22 |
| Watermelon | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 8 | Opens Mar 22 |
| Basil | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 12 | Opens Mar 24 |
| Bitter Melon | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 12 | Opens Mar 24 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 12 | Opens Mar 24 |
| Chayote | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 12 | Opens Mar 24 |
| Cucamelon | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 12 | Opens Mar 24 |
| Cucumber | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 12 | Opens Mar 24 |
| Lima Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 12 | Opens Mar 24 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 12 | Opens Mar 24 |
| Malabar Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 12 | Opens Mar 24 |
| Okra | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 12 | Opens Mar 24 |
| Peanut | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 12 | Opens Mar 24 |
| Southern Pea (Cowpea) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 12 | Opens Mar 24 |
| Watermelon | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 12 | Opens Mar 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 29 – Apr 15 | Opens Mar 29 |
| Ginger | Transplant outdoors | Mar 29 – Apr 15 | Opens Mar 29 |
| Sweet Potato | Transplant outdoors | Mar 29 – Apr 15 | Opens Mar 29 |
| Turmeric | Transplant outdoors | Mar 29 – Apr 15 | Opens Mar 29 |
Start seeds indoors in March (7)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Start seeds indoors | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Last chance - ends Mar 1 |
| Cucumber | Start seeds indoors | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Last chance - ends Mar 1 |
| Pumpkin | Start seeds indoors | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Last chance - ends Mar 1 |
| Sunflower | Start seeds indoors | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Last chance - ends Mar 1 |
| Watermelon | Start seeds indoors | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Last chance - ends Mar 1 |
| Winter Squash | Start seeds indoors | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Last chance - ends Mar 1 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Start seeds indoors | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Last chance - ends Mar 1 |
Keep sowing (succession)
Repeat sowings of crops already in the ground, for a steady harvest instead of a glut.
- Pea: sow again on Mar 4 and Mar 16 and Mar 28
- Spinach: sow again on Mar 4 and Mar 16 and Mar 28
- Mache (Corn Salad): sow again on Mar 8 and Mar 22
Harvesting in March
First harvests expected this month from crops sown or planted on time earlier in the season.
Planting dates for popular crops in Texas
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Texas: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Main planting month: March garden jobs in Texas
- With the average last frost on March 15, 87 crops can go in outdoors this month, including arugula, beet, fava bean (broad bean), green onion / scallion.
- Transplant on a cloudy afternoon and water in well - see transplanting seedlings without shock.
- Once the soil has warmed, lay mulch around established plants to hold moisture and smother weeds.
- Sow quick crops little and often - lettuce, radish and beans every two to three weeks give a steady harvest instead of a glut (succession planting).
USDA zone chart for Texas
Texas spans USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a. 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 Texas in March?
90 crops have a window in March: arugula, beet, fava bean (broad bean), green onion / scallion, mizuna, onion, radish, shallot, tatsoi, cabbage and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Texas in March?
No - transplant outdoors runs Mar 15 – Apr 1 in Texas.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Texas in March?
No - direct sow (spring) runs Feb 17 – Mar 8 in Texas, so do it before March 8.
When is the first frost in Texas?
The statewide average first fall frost is around November 15 and the last spring frost around March 15. Texas 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 Texas?
Cantaloupe / Muskmelon (Feb 15 – Mar 1), Cucumber (Feb 15 – Mar 1), Pumpkin (Feb 15 – Mar 1), Sunflower (Feb 15 – Mar 1), Watermelon (Feb 15 – Mar 1), Winter Squash (Feb 15 – Mar 1), Zucchini / Summer Squash (Feb 15 – Mar 1).
What to plant in March in other states
Dates are computed from Texas’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.