What to plant in March in zone 5
USDA zone 5 has winter lows of -20 to -10°F, a typical last spring frost around Apr 30 and first fall frost around Oct 5, roughly 160 frost-free days. March is the "seed-starting season" there.
53 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including mache (corn salad), pea, spinach, green onion / scallion, arugula, beet - and 13 of those windows close during March.
Dates come from the typical frost dates of USDA zone 5 (last frost Apr 30, first frost Oct 5). A zone covers many climates, so for dates tuned to your town use the planting calendar, or pick your state below.
Zone 5: planting activity through the year
Last chance in March
Eggplant (start seeds indoors, by Mar 5) · Parsley (start seeds indoors, by Mar 5) · Shallot (start seeds indoors, by Mar 5) · Bell Pepper (start seeds indoors, by Mar 12) · Chili Pepper (start seeds indoors, by Mar 12) · Ginger (start seeds indoors, by Mar 12) · Green Onion / Scallion (start seeds indoors, by Mar 12) · Mint (start seeds indoors, by Mar 12) · Oregano (start seeds indoors, by Mar 12) · Sage (start seeds indoors, by Mar 12) · Tarragon (start seeds indoors, by Mar 12) · Thyme (start seeds indoors, by Mar 12) · Turmeric (start seeds indoors, by Mar 12)
Sow or plant outdoors in March (13)
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 21 – Apr 9 | Opens Mar 21 |
| Pea | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 9 | Opens Mar 21 |
| Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 9 | Opens Mar 21 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Transplant outdoors | Mar 26 – Apr 12 | Opens Mar 26 |
| Arugula | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 16 | Opens Mar 28 |
| Beet | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 16 | Opens Mar 28 |
| Fava Bean (Broad Bean) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 16 | Opens Mar 28 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 16 | Opens Mar 28 |
| Mizuna | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 16 | Opens Mar 28 |
| Onion | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 16 | Opens Mar 28 |
| Radish | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 16 | Opens Mar 28 |
| Shallot | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 16 | Opens Mar 28 |
| Tatsoi | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 16 | Opens Mar 28 |
Start seeds indoors in March (43)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Last chance - ends Mar 5 |
| Parsley | Start seeds indoors | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Last chance - ends Mar 5 |
| Shallot | Start seeds indoors | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Last chance - ends Mar 5 |
| Bell Pepper | Start seeds indoors | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Last chance - ends Mar 12 |
| Chili Pepper | Start seeds indoors | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Last chance - ends Mar 12 |
| Ginger | Start seeds indoors | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Last chance - ends Mar 12 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Start seeds indoors | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Last chance - ends Mar 12 |
| Mint | Start seeds indoors | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Last chance - ends Mar 12 |
| Oregano | Start seeds indoors | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Last chance - ends Mar 12 |
| Sage | Start seeds indoors | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Last chance - ends Mar 12 |
| Tarragon | Start seeds indoors | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Last chance - ends Mar 12 |
| Thyme | Start seeds indoors | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Last chance - ends Mar 12 |
| Turmeric | Start seeds indoors | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Last chance - ends Mar 12 |
| Ground Cherry | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 |
| Lemon Balm | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 |
| Tomatillo | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 |
| Tomato | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Start seeds indoors | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Cauliflower | Start seeds indoors | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Kale | Start seeds indoors | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Opens Mar 19 |
| Collard Greens | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Opens Mar 19 |
| Endive & Escarole | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Opens Mar 19 |
| Kohlrabi | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Opens Mar 19 |
| Malabar Spinach | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Opens Mar 19 |
| Okra | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Opens Mar 19 |
| Radicchio | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Opens Mar 19 |
| Summer Savory | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Opens Mar 19 |
| Bitter Melon | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Opens Mar 26 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Opens Mar 26 |
| Cucamelon | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Opens Mar 26 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Opens Mar 26 |
| Lettuce | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Opens Mar 26 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Opens Mar 26 |
| Napa Cabbage | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Opens Mar 26 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Opens Mar 26 |
| Peanut | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Opens Mar 26 |
| Swiss Chard | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Opens Mar 26 |
| Watercress | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Opens Mar 26 |
Seed-starting season: March garden jobs in zone 5
- Start 43 crops indoors this month, including eggplant, parsley, shallot, bell pepper. Use a sterile mix and good light - see starting seeds indoors.
- 7 weeks until the average last frost (April 30). 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.
Questions gardeners ask
What can I plant in zone 5 in March?
53 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.
When are the last and first frost in zone 5?
The typical last spring frost is around Apr 30 and the first fall frost around Oct 5. These are broad zone averages, so your own town can be a week or two either side: look yours up by ZIP code in the planting calendar.
What should I start indoors in zone 5 in March?
Eggplant (Feb 19 – Mar 5), Parsley (Feb 19 – Mar 5), Shallot (Feb 19 – Mar 5), Bell Pepper (Feb 26 – Mar 12), Chili Pepper (Feb 26 – Mar 12), Ginger (Feb 26 – Mar 12), Green Onion / Scallion (Feb 26 – Mar 12), Mint (Feb 26 – Mar 12), Oregano (Feb 26 – Mar 12), Sage (Feb 26 – Mar 12), Tarragon (Feb 26 – Mar 12), Thyme (Feb 26 – Mar 12), Turmeric (Feb 26 – Mar 12), Ground Cherry (Mar 5 – Mar 19), Lemon Balm (Mar 5 – Mar 19), Shiso (Perilla) (Mar 5 – Mar 19), Sweet Marjoram (Mar 5 – Mar 19), Tomatillo (Mar 5 – Mar 19), Tomato (Mar 5 – Mar 19), Broccoli (Mar 12 – Mar 26), Brussels Sprouts (Mar 12 – Mar 26), Cabbage (Mar 12 – Mar 26), Cauliflower (Mar 12 – Mar 26), Kale (Mar 12 – Mar 26), Basil (Mar 19 – Apr 2), Collard Greens (Mar 19 – Apr 2), Endive & Escarole (Mar 19 – Apr 2), Kohlrabi (Mar 19 – Apr 2), Malabar Spinach (Mar 19 – Apr 2), Okra (Mar 19 – Apr 2), Radicchio (Mar 19 – Apr 2), Summer Savory (Mar 19 – Apr 2), Bitter Melon (Mar 26 – Apr 9), Bok Choy / Pak Choi (Mar 26 – Apr 9), Cucamelon (Mar 26 – Apr 9), Fennel (Bulb) (Mar 26 – Apr 9), Lettuce (Mar 26 – Apr 9), Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (Mar 26 – Apr 9), Napa Cabbage (Mar 26 – Apr 9), New Zealand Spinach (Mar 26 – Apr 9), Peanut (Mar 26 – Apr 9), Swiss Chard (Mar 26 – Apr 9), Watercress (Mar 26 – Apr 9).
March in states with land in zone 5
Zone 5 in other months
What to plant in March in other zones
Dates are computed from the zone’s typical frost dates and each crop’s timing in our crop database. Your garden may be a week or two either side.