What to plant in March in Virginia
In Virginia (VA), March sits about 4 weeks before the average last frost (April 15). The state averages 188 frost-free days a year (last frost April 15, first frost October 20; USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a).
65 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including mache (corn salad), pea, spinach, green onion / scallion, arugula, beet - and 11 of those windows close during March.
Dates here come from Virginia frost dates (last frost Apr 15, first frost Oct 20). For one crop in detail, see when to plant pea, spinach or arugula in Virginia.
Virginia 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.
Virginia: planting activity through the year
Last chance in March
Ground Cherry (start seeds indoors, by Mar 4) · Lemon Balm (start seeds indoors, by Mar 4) · Shiso (Perilla) (start seeds indoors, by Mar 4) · Sweet Marjoram (start seeds indoors, by Mar 4) · Tomatillo (start seeds indoors, by Mar 4) · Tomato (start seeds indoors, by Mar 4) · Broccoli (start seeds indoors, by Mar 11) · Brussels Sprouts (start seeds indoors, by Mar 11) · Cabbage (start seeds indoors, by Mar 11) · Cauliflower (start seeds indoors, by Mar 11) · Kale (start seeds indoors, by Mar 11)
Sow or plant outdoors in March (56)
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 6 – Mar 25 | Mar 6 – Mar 25 |
| Pea | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 6 – Mar 25 | Mar 6 – Mar 25 |
| Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 6 – Mar 25 | Mar 6 – Mar 25 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Transplant outdoors | Mar 11 – Mar 28 | Mar 11 – Mar 28 |
| Arugula | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 1 | Opens Mar 13 |
| Beet | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 1 | Opens Mar 13 |
| Fava Bean (Broad Bean) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 1 | Opens Mar 13 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 1 | Opens Mar 13 |
| Mizuna | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 1 | Opens Mar 13 |
| Onion | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 1 | Opens Mar 13 |
| Radish | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 1 | Opens Mar 13 |
| Shallot | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 1 | Opens Mar 13 |
| Tatsoi | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 1 | Opens Mar 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors | Mar 18 – Apr 4 | Opens Mar 18 |
| Collard Greens | Transplant outdoors | Mar 18 – Apr 4 | Opens Mar 18 |
| Horseradish | Plant crowns / divisions | Mar 18 – Apr 4 | Opens Mar 18 |
| Kale | Transplant outdoors | Mar 18 – Apr 4 | Opens Mar 18 |
| Kohlrabi | Transplant outdoors | Mar 18 – Apr 4 | Opens Mar 18 |
| Onion | Transplant outdoors | Mar 18 – Apr 4 | Opens Mar 18 |
| Rhubarb | Plant crowns / divisions | Mar 18 – Apr 4 | Opens Mar 18 |
| Shallot | Transplant outdoors | Mar 18 – Apr 4 | Opens Mar 18 |
| Carrot | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 8 | Opens Mar 20 |
| Chervil | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 8 | Opens Mar 20 |
| Endive & Escarole | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 8 | Opens Mar 20 |
| Kohlrabi | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 8 | Opens Mar 20 |
| Lettuce | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 8 | Opens Mar 20 |
| Mustard Greens | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 8 | Opens Mar 20 |
| Rapini (Broccoli Raab) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 8 | Opens Mar 20 |
| Turnip | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 8 | Opens Mar 20 |
| Watercress | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 8 | Opens Mar 20 |
| Asparagus | Plant crowns / divisions | Mar 25 – Apr 11 | Opens Mar 25 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 11 | Opens Mar 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 11 | Opens Mar 25 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 11 | Opens Mar 25 |
| Cauliflower | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 11 | Opens Mar 25 |
| Chives | Plant crowns / divisions | Mar 25 – Apr 11 | Opens Mar 25 |
| Endive & Escarole | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 11 | Opens Mar 25 |
| Leek | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 11 | Opens Mar 25 |
| Lettuce | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 11 | Opens Mar 25 |
| Napa Cabbage | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 11 | Opens Mar 25 |
| Parsley | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 11 | Opens Mar 25 |
| Radicchio | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 11 | Opens Mar 25 |
| Sorrel | Plant crowns / divisions | Mar 25 – Apr 11 | Opens Mar 25 |
| Swiss Chard | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 11 | Opens Mar 25 |
| Watercress | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 11 | Opens Mar 25 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 15 | Opens Mar 27 |
| Borage | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 15 | Opens Mar 27 |
| Cilantro / Coriander | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 15 | Opens Mar 27 |
| Collard Greens | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 15 | Opens Mar 27 |
| Kale | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 15 | Opens Mar 27 |
| Leek | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 15 | Opens Mar 27 |
| Napa Cabbage | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 15 | Opens Mar 27 |
| Parsley | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 15 | Opens Mar 27 |
| Potato | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 15 | Opens Mar 27 |
| Radicchio | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 15 | Opens Mar 27 |
| Salsify | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 15 | Opens Mar 27 |
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.
| Crop | What to do | Window | This month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Cherry | Start seeds indoors | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Last chance - ends Mar 4 |
| Lemon Balm | Start seeds indoors | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Last chance - ends Mar 4 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Start seeds indoors | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Last chance - ends Mar 4 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Start seeds indoors | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Last chance - ends Mar 4 |
| Tomatillo | Start seeds indoors | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Last chance - ends Mar 4 |
| Tomato | Start seeds indoors | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Last chance - ends Mar 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Last chance - ends Mar 11 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Last chance - ends Mar 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Last chance - ends Mar 11 |
| Cauliflower | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Last chance - ends Mar 11 |
| Kale | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Last chance - ends Mar 11 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Collard Greens | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Endive & Escarole | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Kohlrabi | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Malabar Spinach | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Okra | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Radicchio | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Summer Savory | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Bitter Melon | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Cucamelon | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Lettuce | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Napa Cabbage | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Peanut | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Swiss Chard | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Watercress | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Opens Mar 18 |
| Cucumber | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Opens Mar 18 |
| Pumpkin | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Opens Mar 18 |
| Sunflower | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Opens Mar 18 |
| Watermelon | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Opens Mar 18 |
| Winter Squash | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Opens Mar 18 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Opens Mar 18 |
Planting dates for popular crops in Virginia
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Virginia: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Seed-starting season: March garden jobs in Virginia
- Start 37 crops indoors this month, including ground cherry, lemon balm, shiso (perilla), sweet marjoram. Use a sterile mix and good light - see starting seeds indoors.
- 4 weeks until the average last frost (April 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 Virginia
Virginia spans USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. 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 Virginia in March?
65 crops have a window in March: mache (corn salad), pea, spinach, green onion / scallion, arugula, beet, fava bean (broad bean), mizuna, onion, radish and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Virginia in March?
No - start seeds indoors runs Feb 18 – Mar 4 in Virginia, so do it before March 4.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Virginia in March?
No - start seeds indoors runs Mar 11 – Mar 25 in Virginia, so do it before March 25.
When is the first frost in Virginia?
The statewide average first fall frost is around October 20 and the last spring frost around April 15. Virginia 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 Virginia?
Ground Cherry (Feb 18 – Mar 4), Lemon Balm (Feb 18 – Mar 4), Shiso (Perilla) (Feb 18 – Mar 4), Sweet Marjoram (Feb 18 – Mar 4), Tomatillo (Feb 18 – Mar 4), Tomato (Feb 18 – Mar 4), Broccoli (Feb 25 – Mar 11), Brussels Sprouts (Feb 25 – Mar 11), Cabbage (Feb 25 – Mar 11), Cauliflower (Feb 25 – Mar 11), Kale (Feb 25 – Mar 11), Basil (Mar 4 – Mar 18), Collard Greens (Mar 4 – Mar 18), Endive & Escarole (Mar 4 – Mar 18), Kohlrabi (Mar 4 – Mar 18), Malabar Spinach (Mar 4 – Mar 18), Okra (Mar 4 – Mar 18), Radicchio (Mar 4 – Mar 18), Summer Savory (Mar 4 – Mar 18), Bitter Melon (Mar 11 – Mar 25), Bok Choy / Pak Choi (Mar 11 – Mar 25), Cucamelon (Mar 11 – Mar 25), Fennel (Bulb) (Mar 11 – Mar 25), Lettuce (Mar 11 – Mar 25), Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (Mar 11 – Mar 25), Napa Cabbage (Mar 11 – Mar 25), New Zealand Spinach (Mar 11 – Mar 25), Peanut (Mar 11 – Mar 25), Swiss Chard (Mar 11 – Mar 25), Watercress (Mar 11 – Mar 25), Cantaloupe / Muskmelon (Mar 18 – Apr 1), Cucumber (Mar 18 – Apr 1), Pumpkin (Mar 18 – Apr 1), Sunflower (Mar 18 – Apr 1), Watermelon (Mar 18 – Apr 1), Winter Squash (Mar 18 – Apr 1), Zucchini / Summer Squash (Mar 18 – Apr 1).
What to plant in March in other states
Dates are computed from Virginia’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.