What to plant in March in zone 6
USDA zone 6 has winter lows of -10 to 0°F, a typical last spring frost around Apr 15 and first fall frost around Oct 15, roughly 185 frost-free days. March is the "seed-starting season" there.
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 come from the typical frost dates of USDA zone 6 (last frost Apr 15, first frost Oct 15). A zone covers many climates, so for dates tuned to your town use the planting calendar, or pick your state below.
Zone 6: 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 |
Seed-starting season: March garden jobs in zone 6
- 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.
Questions gardeners ask
What can I plant in zone 6 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.
When are the last and first frost in zone 6?
The typical last spring frost is around Apr 15 and the first fall frost around Oct 15. 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 6 in March?
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).
March in states with land in zone 6
Zone 6 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.