My Planting Calendar

What to plant in March in Vermont

In Vermont (VT), March sits about 9 weeks before the average last frost (May 14). The state averages 134 frost-free days a year (last frost May 14, first frost September 25; USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b).

29 crops have a sowing or planting window this month - and 5 of those windows close during March.

Dates here come from Vermont frost dates (last frost May 14, first frost Sep 25). For one crop in detail, see when to plant onion, eggplant or bell pepper in Vermont.

Seed-starting seasonSow or plant: 29Start indoors: 29Harvesting: 0

Vermont: planting activity through the year

0
5
29
68
89
61
38
18
1
2
0
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: May 14 – 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. 29 have one in March; the busiest month is May (89).

Last chance in March

Celeriac (start seeds indoors, by Mar 5) · Celery (start seeds indoors, by Mar 12) · Leek (start seeds indoors, by Mar 12) · Onion (start seeds indoors, by Mar 12) · Rosemary (start seeds indoors, by Mar 12)

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.

CropWhat to doWindowThis month
CeleriacStart seeds indoorsFeb 19 – Mar 5Last chance - ends Mar 5
CeleryStart seeds indoorsFeb 26 – Mar 12Last chance - ends Mar 12
LeekStart seeds indoorsFeb 26 – Mar 12Last chance - ends Mar 12
OnionStart seeds indoorsFeb 26 – Mar 12Last chance - ends Mar 12
RosemaryStart seeds indoorsFeb 26 – Mar 12Last chance - ends Mar 12
EggplantStart seeds indoorsMar 5 – Mar 19Mar 5 – Mar 19
ParsleyStart seeds indoorsMar 5 – Mar 19Mar 5 – Mar 19
ShallotStart seeds indoorsMar 5 – Mar 19Mar 5 – Mar 19
Bell PepperStart seeds indoorsMar 12 – Mar 26Mar 12 – Mar 26
Chili PepperStart seeds indoorsMar 12 – Mar 26Mar 12 – Mar 26
GingerStart seeds indoorsMar 12 – Mar 26Mar 12 – Mar 26
Green Onion / ScallionStart seeds indoorsMar 12 – Mar 26Mar 12 – Mar 26
MintStart seeds indoorsMar 12 – Mar 26Mar 12 – Mar 26
OreganoStart seeds indoorsMar 12 – Mar 26Mar 12 – Mar 26
SageStart seeds indoorsMar 12 – Mar 26Mar 12 – Mar 26
TarragonStart seeds indoorsMar 12 – Mar 26Mar 12 – Mar 26
ThymeStart seeds indoorsMar 12 – Mar 26Mar 12 – Mar 26
TurmericStart seeds indoorsMar 12 – Mar 26Mar 12 – Mar 26
Ground CherryStart seeds indoorsMar 19 – Apr 2Opens Mar 19
Lemon BalmStart seeds indoorsMar 19 – Apr 2Opens Mar 19
Shiso (Perilla)Start seeds indoorsMar 19 – Apr 2Opens Mar 19
Sweet MarjoramStart seeds indoorsMar 19 – Apr 2Opens Mar 19
TomatilloStart seeds indoorsMar 19 – Apr 2Opens Mar 19
TomatoStart seeds indoorsMar 19 – Apr 2Opens Mar 19
BroccoliStart seeds indoorsMar 26 – Apr 9Opens Mar 26
Brussels SproutsStart seeds indoorsMar 26 – Apr 9Opens Mar 26
CabbageStart seeds indoorsMar 26 – Apr 9Opens Mar 26
CauliflowerStart seeds indoorsMar 26 – Apr 9Opens Mar 26
KaleStart seeds indoorsMar 26 – Apr 9Opens Mar 26

Planting dates for popular crops in Vermont

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

When to plant onion in Vermont →When to plant eggplant in Vermont →When to plant bell pepper in Vermont →When to plant chili pepper in Vermont →When to plant tomato in Vermont →When to plant broccoli in Vermont →When to plant cabbage in Vermont →When to plant cauliflower in Vermont →Vermont frost dates by zone →

Seed-starting season: March garden jobs in Vermont

  1. Start 29 crops indoors this month, including celeriac, celery, leek, onion. Use a sterile mix and good light - see starting seeds indoors.
  2. 9 weeks until the average last frost (May 14). 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 Vermont

Vermont spans USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b. 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 Vermont 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 Vermont in March?

No - start seeds indoors runs Mar 19 – Apr 2 in Vermont.

Is it too late to plant lettuce in Vermont in March?

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Vermont the next lettuce window opens around April 9: start seeds indoors.

When is the first frost in Vermont?

The statewide average first fall frost is around September 25 and the last spring frost around May 14. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.

What should I start indoors in March in Vermont?

Celeriac (Feb 19 – Mar 5), Celery (Feb 26 – Mar 12), Leek (Feb 26 – Mar 12), Onion (Feb 26 – Mar 12), Rosemary (Feb 26 – Mar 12), Eggplant (Mar 5 – Mar 19), Parsley (Mar 5 – Mar 19), Shallot (Mar 5 – Mar 19), Bell Pepper (Mar 12 – Mar 26), Chili Pepper (Mar 12 – Mar 26), Ginger (Mar 12 – Mar 26), Green Onion / Scallion (Mar 12 – Mar 26), Mint (Mar 12 – Mar 26), Oregano (Mar 12 – Mar 26), Sage (Mar 12 – Mar 26), Tarragon (Mar 12 – Mar 26), Thyme (Mar 12 – Mar 26), Turmeric (Mar 12 – Mar 26), Ground Cherry (Mar 19 – Apr 2), Lemon Balm (Mar 19 – Apr 2), Shiso (Perilla) (Mar 19 – Apr 2), Sweet Marjoram (Mar 19 – Apr 2), Tomatillo (Mar 19 – Apr 2), Tomato (Mar 19 – Apr 2), Broccoli (Mar 26 – Apr 9), Brussels Sprouts (Mar 26 – Apr 9), Cabbage (Mar 26 – Apr 9), Cauliflower (Mar 26 – Apr 9), Kale (Mar 26 – Apr 9).

← February in VermontApril in Vermont →Full-year Vermont planting calendar →Vermont frost dates →

What to plant in March in other states

ConnecticutMaineMassachusettsNew HampshireNew YorkRhode IslandAlabamaAlaskaAll states →

Dates are computed from Vermont’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.