What to plant in March in zone 7

USDA zone 7 has winter lows of 0 to 10°F, a typical last spring frost around Apr 5 and first fall frost around Oct 25, roughly 200 frost-free days. March is the "last-frost month" there.

70 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including mache (corn salad), pea, spinach, green onion / scallion, arugula, beet - and 16 of those windows close during March.

Dates come from the typical frost dates of USDA zone 7 (last frost Apr 5, first frost Oct 25). A zone covers many climates, so for dates tuned to your town use the planting calendar, or pick your state below.

Last-frost monthSow or plant: 70Start indoors: 31Harvesting: 1

Zone 7: planting activity through the year

8
39
70
84
41
10
18
38
18
1
2
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Apr 5 – Oct 25
Bars count the vegetables, herbs and fruit with a sowing or planting window in each month, from the state’s average frost dates. 70 have one in March; the busiest month is April (84).

Last chance in March

Broccoli (start seeds indoors, by Mar 1) · Brussels Sprouts (start seeds indoors, by Mar 1) · Cabbage (start seeds indoors, by Mar 1) · Cauliflower (start seeds indoors, by Mar 1) · Kale (start seeds indoors, by Mar 1) · Basil (start seeds indoors, by Mar 8) · Collard Greens (start seeds indoors, by Mar 8) · Endive & Escarole (start seeds indoors, by Mar 8) · Kohlrabi (start seeds indoors, by Mar 8) · Malabar Spinach (start seeds indoors, by Mar 8) · Okra (start seeds indoors, by Mar 8) · Radicchio (start seeds indoors, by Mar 8) · Summer Savory (start seeds indoors, by Mar 8) · Mache (Corn Salad) (direct sow (spring), by Mar 15) · Pea (direct sow (spring), by Mar 15) · Spinach (direct sow (spring), by Mar 15)

Sow or plant outdoors in March (72)

Direct sowing and transplanting windows that fall in March, most urgent first. Windows are one-to-two-week bands around the ideal date.

CropWhat to doWindowThis month
Mache (Corn Salad)Direct sow (spring)Feb 24 – Mar 15Last chance - ends Mar 15
PeaDirect sow (spring)Feb 24 – Mar 15Last chance - ends Mar 15
SpinachDirect sow (spring)Feb 24 – Mar 15Last chance - ends Mar 15
Green Onion / ScallionTransplant outdoorsMar 1 – Mar 18Mar 1 – Mar 18
ArugulaDirect sow (spring)Mar 3 – Mar 22Mar 3 – Mar 22
BeetDirect sow (spring)Mar 3 – Mar 22Mar 3 – Mar 22
Fava Bean (Broad Bean)Direct sow (spring)Mar 3 – Mar 22Mar 3 – Mar 22
Green Onion / ScallionDirect sow (spring)Mar 3 – Mar 22Mar 3 – Mar 22
MizunaDirect sow (spring)Mar 3 – Mar 22Mar 3 – Mar 22
OnionDirect sow (spring)Mar 3 – Mar 22Mar 3 – Mar 22
RadishDirect sow (spring)Mar 3 – Mar 22Mar 3 – Mar 22
ShallotDirect sow (spring)Mar 3 – Mar 22Mar 3 – Mar 22
TatsoiDirect sow (spring)Mar 3 – Mar 22Mar 3 – Mar 22
CabbageTransplant outdoorsMar 8 – Mar 25Mar 8 – Mar 25
Collard GreensTransplant outdoorsMar 8 – Mar 25Mar 8 – Mar 25
HorseradishPlant crowns / divisionsMar 8 – Mar 25Mar 8 – Mar 25
KaleTransplant outdoorsMar 8 – Mar 25Mar 8 – Mar 25
KohlrabiTransplant outdoorsMar 8 – Mar 25Mar 8 – Mar 25
OnionTransplant outdoorsMar 8 – Mar 25Mar 8 – Mar 25
RhubarbPlant crowns / divisionsMar 8 – Mar 25Mar 8 – Mar 25
ShallotTransplant outdoorsMar 8 – Mar 25Mar 8 – Mar 25
CarrotDirect sow (spring)Mar 10 – Mar 29Mar 10 – Mar 29
ChervilDirect sow (spring)Mar 10 – Mar 29Mar 10 – Mar 29
Endive & EscaroleDirect sow (spring)Mar 10 – Mar 29Mar 10 – Mar 29
KohlrabiDirect sow (spring)Mar 10 – Mar 29Mar 10 – Mar 29
LettuceDirect sow (spring)Mar 10 – Mar 29Mar 10 – Mar 29
Mustard GreensDirect sow (spring)Mar 10 – Mar 29Mar 10 – Mar 29
Rapini (Broccoli Raab)Direct sow (spring)Mar 10 – Mar 29Mar 10 – Mar 29
TurnipDirect sow (spring)Mar 10 – Mar 29Mar 10 – Mar 29
WatercressDirect sow (spring)Mar 10 – Mar 29Mar 10 – Mar 29
AsparagusPlant crowns / divisionsMar 15 – Apr 1Opens Mar 15
Bok Choy / Pak ChoiTransplant outdoorsMar 15 – Apr 1Opens Mar 15
BroccoliTransplant outdoorsMar 15 – Apr 1Opens Mar 15
Brussels SproutsTransplant outdoorsMar 15 – Apr 1Opens Mar 15
CauliflowerTransplant outdoorsMar 15 – Apr 1Opens Mar 15
ChivesPlant crowns / divisionsMar 15 – Apr 1Opens Mar 15
Endive & EscaroleTransplant outdoorsMar 15 – Apr 1Opens Mar 15
LeekTransplant outdoorsMar 15 – Apr 1Opens Mar 15
LettuceTransplant outdoorsMar 15 – Apr 1Opens Mar 15
Napa CabbageTransplant outdoorsMar 15 – Apr 1Opens Mar 15
ParsleyTransplant outdoorsMar 15 – Apr 1Opens Mar 15
RadicchioTransplant outdoorsMar 15 – Apr 1Opens Mar 15
SorrelPlant crowns / divisionsMar 15 – Apr 1Opens Mar 15
Swiss ChardTransplant outdoorsMar 15 – Apr 1Opens Mar 15
WatercressTransplant outdoorsMar 15 – Apr 1Opens Mar 15
Bok Choy / Pak ChoiDirect sow (spring)Mar 17 – Apr 5Opens Mar 17
BorageDirect sow (spring)Mar 17 – Apr 5Opens Mar 17
Cilantro / CorianderDirect sow (spring)Mar 17 – Apr 5Opens Mar 17
Collard GreensDirect sow (spring)Mar 17 – Apr 5Opens Mar 17
KaleDirect sow (spring)Mar 17 – Apr 5Opens Mar 17
LeekDirect sow (spring)Mar 17 – Apr 5Opens Mar 17
Napa CabbageDirect sow (spring)Mar 17 – Apr 5Opens Mar 17
ParsleyDirect sow (spring)Mar 17 – Apr 5Opens Mar 17
PotatoDirect sow (spring)Mar 17 – Apr 5Opens Mar 17
RadicchioDirect sow (spring)Mar 17 – Apr 5Opens Mar 17
SalsifyDirect sow (spring)Mar 17 – Apr 5Opens Mar 17
Fennel (Bulb)Transplant outdoorsMar 22 – Apr 8Opens Mar 22
Globe ArtichokePlant crowns / divisionsMar 22 – Apr 8Opens Mar 22
Lemon BalmTransplant outdoorsMar 22 – Apr 8Opens Mar 22
MintTransplant outdoorsMar 22 – Apr 8Opens Mar 22
TarragonTransplant outdoorsMar 22 – Apr 8Opens Mar 22
Fennel (Bulb)Direct sow (spring)Mar 24 – Apr 12Opens Mar 24
Lemon BalmDirect sow (spring)Mar 24 – Apr 12Opens Mar 24
ParsnipDirect sow (spring)Mar 24 – Apr 12Opens Mar 24
Swiss ChardDirect sow (spring)Mar 24 – Apr 12Opens Mar 24
CeleriacTransplant outdoorsMar 29 – Apr 15Opens Mar 29
CeleryTransplant outdoorsMar 29 – Apr 15Opens Mar 29
OreganoTransplant outdoorsMar 29 – Apr 15Opens Mar 29
SageTransplant outdoorsMar 29 – Apr 15Opens Mar 29
ThymeTransplant outdoorsMar 29 – Apr 15Opens Mar 29
DillDirect sow (spring)Mar 31 – Apr 19Opens Mar 31
SunflowerDirect sow (spring)Mar 31 – Apr 19Opens Mar 31

Start seeds indoors in March (31)

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
BroccoliStart seeds indoorsFeb 15 – Mar 1Last chance - ends Mar 1
Brussels SproutsStart seeds indoorsFeb 15 – Mar 1Last chance - ends Mar 1
CabbageStart seeds indoorsFeb 15 – Mar 1Last chance - ends Mar 1
CauliflowerStart seeds indoorsFeb 15 – Mar 1Last chance - ends Mar 1
KaleStart seeds indoorsFeb 15 – Mar 1Last chance - ends Mar 1
BasilStart seeds indoorsFeb 22 – Mar 8Last chance - ends Mar 8
Collard GreensStart seeds indoorsFeb 22 – Mar 8Last chance - ends Mar 8
Endive & EscaroleStart seeds indoorsFeb 22 – Mar 8Last chance - ends Mar 8
KohlrabiStart seeds indoorsFeb 22 – Mar 8Last chance - ends Mar 8
Malabar SpinachStart seeds indoorsFeb 22 – Mar 8Last chance - ends Mar 8
OkraStart seeds indoorsFeb 22 – Mar 8Last chance - ends Mar 8
RadicchioStart seeds indoorsFeb 22 – Mar 8Last chance - ends Mar 8
Summer SavoryStart seeds indoorsFeb 22 – Mar 8Last chance - ends Mar 8
Bitter MelonStart seeds indoorsMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 1 – Mar 15
Bok Choy / Pak ChoiStart seeds indoorsMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 1 – Mar 15
CucamelonStart seeds indoorsMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 1 – Mar 15
Fennel (Bulb)Start seeds indoorsMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 1 – Mar 15
LettuceStart seeds indoorsMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 1 – Mar 15
Luffa (Loofah Gourd)Start seeds indoorsMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 1 – Mar 15
Napa CabbageStart seeds indoorsMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 1 – Mar 15
New Zealand SpinachStart seeds indoorsMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 1 – Mar 15
PeanutStart seeds indoorsMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 1 – Mar 15
Swiss ChardStart seeds indoorsMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 1 – Mar 15
WatercressStart seeds indoorsMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 1 – Mar 15
Cantaloupe / MuskmelonStart seeds indoorsMar 8 – Mar 22Mar 8 – Mar 22
CucumberStart seeds indoorsMar 8 – Mar 22Mar 8 – Mar 22
PumpkinStart seeds indoorsMar 8 – Mar 22Mar 8 – Mar 22
SunflowerStart seeds indoorsMar 8 – Mar 22Mar 8 – Mar 22
WatermelonStart seeds indoorsMar 8 – Mar 22Mar 8 – Mar 22
Winter SquashStart seeds indoorsMar 8 – Mar 22Mar 8 – Mar 22
Zucchini / Summer SquashStart seeds indoorsMar 8 – Mar 22Mar 8 – Mar 22

Harvesting in March

First harvests expected this month from crops sown or planted on time earlier in the season.

Radish · Mar 30 – Apr 7

Last-frost month: March garden jobs in zone 7

  1. The average last frost is April 5. Hardy crops can go out now - mache (corn salad), pea, spinach, green onion / scallion - but hold tender ones like tomatoes, peppers and squash until after that date.
  2. Start hardening off indoor seedlings 7-10 days before they go out: a few hours of outdoor shade first, building up to full sun and nights outside.
  3. Keep row cover or old sheets handy and watch the 10-day forecast - a clear, still night after a warm spell is the classic late-frost setup.
  4. Soil temperature matters as much as the calendar: most warm-season seed rots below about 60°F. Check the frost dates guide for how the Zone 7 average is worked out.

Questions gardeners ask

What can I plant in zone 7 in March?

70 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 7?

The typical last spring frost is around Apr 5 and the first fall frost around Oct 25. 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 7 in March?

Broccoli (Feb 15 – Mar 1), Brussels Sprouts (Feb 15 – Mar 1), Cabbage (Feb 15 – Mar 1), Cauliflower (Feb 15 – Mar 1), Kale (Feb 15 – Mar 1), Basil (Feb 22 – Mar 8), Collard Greens (Feb 22 – Mar 8), Endive & Escarole (Feb 22 – Mar 8), Kohlrabi (Feb 22 – Mar 8), Malabar Spinach (Feb 22 – Mar 8), Okra (Feb 22 – Mar 8), Radicchio (Feb 22 – Mar 8), Summer Savory (Feb 22 – Mar 8), Bitter Melon (Mar 1 – Mar 15), Bok Choy / Pak Choi (Mar 1 – Mar 15), Cucamelon (Mar 1 – Mar 15), Fennel (Bulb) (Mar 1 – Mar 15), Lettuce (Mar 1 – Mar 15), Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (Mar 1 – Mar 15), Napa Cabbage (Mar 1 – Mar 15), New Zealand Spinach (Mar 1 – Mar 15), Peanut (Mar 1 – Mar 15), Swiss Chard (Mar 1 – Mar 15), Watercress (Mar 1 – Mar 15), Cantaloupe / Muskmelon (Mar 8 – Mar 22), Cucumber (Mar 8 – Mar 22), Pumpkin (Mar 8 – Mar 22), Sunflower (Mar 8 – Mar 22), Watermelon (Mar 8 – Mar 22), Winter Squash (Mar 8 – Mar 22), Zucchini / Summer Squash (Mar 8 – Mar 22).

March in states with land in zone 7

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaGeorgiaIdahoIllinoisKansasKentucky

Zone 7 in other months

JanuaryFebruaryAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberZone 7 overview →

What to plant in March in other zones

Zone 3Zone 4Zone 5Zone 6Zone 8Zone 9Zone 10All states →

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.