What to plant in March in Utah
In Utah (UT), March sits about 7 weeks before the average last frost (May 5). The state averages 153 frost-free days a year (last frost May 5, first frost October 5; USDA zones 4a, 5a, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8a, 9a).
50 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including mache (corn salad), pea, spinach, green onion / scallion - and 7 of those windows close during March.
Dates here come from Utah frost dates (last frost May 5, first frost Oct 5). For one crop in detail, see when to plant pea, spinach or onion in Utah.
Utah 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.
Utah: planting activity through the year
Last chance in March
Celery (start seeds indoors, by Mar 3) · Leek (start seeds indoors, by Mar 3) · Onion (start seeds indoors, by Mar 3) · Rosemary (start seeds indoors, by Mar 3) · Eggplant (start seeds indoors, by Mar 10) · Parsley (start seeds indoors, by Mar 10) · Shallot (start seeds indoors, by Mar 10)
Sow or plant outdoors in March (4)
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 26 – Apr 14 | Opens Mar 26 |
| Pea | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 14 | Opens Mar 26 |
| Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 14 | Opens Mar 26 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Transplant outdoors | Mar 31 – Apr 17 | Opens Mar 31 |
Start seeds indoors in March (47)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celery | Start seeds indoors | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Last chance - ends Mar 3 |
| Leek | Start seeds indoors | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Last chance - ends Mar 3 |
| Onion | Start seeds indoors | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Last chance - ends Mar 3 |
| Rosemary | Start seeds indoors | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Last chance - ends Mar 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Last chance - ends Mar 10 |
| Parsley | Start seeds indoors | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Last chance - ends Mar 10 |
| Shallot | Start seeds indoors | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Last chance - ends Mar 10 |
| Bell Pepper | Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Chili Pepper | Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Ginger | Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Mint | Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Oregano | Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Sage | Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Tarragon | Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Thyme | Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Turmeric | Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Ground Cherry | Start seeds indoors | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 |
| Lemon Balm | Start seeds indoors | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Start seeds indoors | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Start seeds indoors | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 |
| Tomatillo | Start seeds indoors | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 |
| Tomato | Start seeds indoors | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Cauliflower | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Kale | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Opens Mar 24 |
| Collard Greens | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Opens Mar 24 |
| Endive & Escarole | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Opens Mar 24 |
| Kohlrabi | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Opens Mar 24 |
| Malabar Spinach | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Opens Mar 24 |
| Okra | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Opens Mar 24 |
| Radicchio | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Opens Mar 24 |
| Summer Savory | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Opens Mar 24 |
| Bitter Melon | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Opens Mar 31 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Opens Mar 31 |
| Cucamelon | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Opens Mar 31 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Opens Mar 31 |
| Lettuce | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Opens Mar 31 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Opens Mar 31 |
| Napa Cabbage | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Opens Mar 31 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Opens Mar 31 |
| Peanut | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Opens Mar 31 |
| Swiss Chard | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Opens Mar 31 |
| Watercress | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Opens Mar 31 |
Planting dates for popular crops in Utah
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Utah: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Seed-starting season: March garden jobs in Utah
- Start 47 crops indoors this month, including celery, leek, onion, rosemary. Use a sterile mix and good light - see starting seeds indoors.
- 7 weeks until the average last frost (May 5). 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 Utah
Utah spans USDA zones 4a, 5a, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8a, 9a. 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 Utah in March?
50 crops have a window in March: mache (corn salad), pea, spinach, green onion / scallion, 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 Utah in March?
No - start seeds indoors runs Mar 10 – Mar 24 in Utah, so do it before March 24.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Utah in March?
No - start seeds indoors runs Mar 31 – Apr 14 in Utah.
When is the first frost in Utah?
The statewide average first fall frost is around October 5 and the last spring frost around May 5. Utah 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 Utah?
Celery (Feb 17 – Mar 3), Leek (Feb 17 – Mar 3), Onion (Feb 17 – Mar 3), Rosemary (Feb 17 – Mar 3), Eggplant (Feb 24 – Mar 10), Parsley (Feb 24 – Mar 10), Shallot (Feb 24 – Mar 10), Bell Pepper (Mar 3 – Mar 17), Chili Pepper (Mar 3 – Mar 17), Ginger (Mar 3 – Mar 17), Green Onion / Scallion (Mar 3 – Mar 17), Mint (Mar 3 – Mar 17), Oregano (Mar 3 – Mar 17), Sage (Mar 3 – Mar 17), Tarragon (Mar 3 – Mar 17), Thyme (Mar 3 – Mar 17), Turmeric (Mar 3 – Mar 17), Ground Cherry (Mar 10 – Mar 24), Lemon Balm (Mar 10 – Mar 24), Shiso (Perilla) (Mar 10 – Mar 24), Sweet Marjoram (Mar 10 – Mar 24), Tomatillo (Mar 10 – Mar 24), Tomato (Mar 10 – Mar 24), Broccoli (Mar 17 – Mar 31), Brussels Sprouts (Mar 17 – Mar 31), Cabbage (Mar 17 – Mar 31), Cauliflower (Mar 17 – Mar 31), Kale (Mar 17 – Mar 31), Basil (Mar 24 – Apr 7), Collard Greens (Mar 24 – Apr 7), Endive & Escarole (Mar 24 – Apr 7), Kohlrabi (Mar 24 – Apr 7), Malabar Spinach (Mar 24 – Apr 7), Okra (Mar 24 – Apr 7), Radicchio (Mar 24 – Apr 7), Summer Savory (Mar 24 – Apr 7), Bitter Melon (Mar 31 – Apr 14), Bok Choy / Pak Choi (Mar 31 – Apr 14), Cucamelon (Mar 31 – Apr 14), Fennel (Bulb) (Mar 31 – Apr 14), Lettuce (Mar 31 – Apr 14), Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (Mar 31 – Apr 14), Napa Cabbage (Mar 31 – Apr 14), New Zealand Spinach (Mar 31 – Apr 14), Peanut (Mar 31 – Apr 14), Swiss Chard (Mar 31 – Apr 14), Watercress (Mar 31 – Apr 14).
What to plant in March in other states
Dates are computed from Utah’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.