What to plant in March in zone 8

Last chance in March

Cantaloupe / Muskmelon (start seeds indoors, by Mar 6) · Cucumber (start seeds indoors, by Mar 6) · Pumpkin (start seeds indoors, by Mar 6) · Sunflower (start seeds indoors, by Mar 6) · Watermelon (start seeds indoors, by Mar 6) · Winter Squash (start seeds indoors, by Mar 6) · Zucchini / Summer Squash (start seeds indoors, by Mar 6) · Green Onion / Scallion (transplant outdoors, by Mar 2) · Arugula (direct sow (spring), by Mar 6) · Beet (direct sow (spring), by Mar 6) · Fava Bean (Broad Bean) (direct sow (spring), by Mar 6) · Green Onion / Scallion (direct sow (spring), by Mar 6) · Mizuna (direct sow (spring), by Mar 6) · Onion (direct sow (spring), by Mar 6) · Radish (direct sow (spring), by Mar 6) · Shallot (direct sow (spring), by Mar 6) · Tatsoi (direct sow (spring), by Mar 6) · Cabbage (transplant outdoors, by Mar 9) · Collard Greens (transplant outdoors, by Mar 9) · Horseradish (plant crowns / divisions, by Mar 9) · Kale (transplant outdoors, by Mar 9) · Kohlrabi (transplant outdoors, by Mar 9) · Onion (transplant outdoors, by Mar 9) · Rhubarb (plant crowns / divisions, by Mar 9) · Shallot (transplant outdoors, by Mar 9) · Carrot (direct sow (spring), by Mar 13) · Chervil (direct sow (spring), by Mar 13) · Endive & Escarole (direct sow (spring), by Mar 13) · Kohlrabi (direct sow (spring), by Mar 13) · Lettuce (direct sow (spring), by Mar 13) · Mustard Greens (direct sow (spring), by Mar 13) · Rapini (Broccoli Raab) (direct sow (spring), by Mar 13) · Turnip (direct sow (spring), by Mar 13) · Watercress (direct sow (spring), by Mar 13) · Asparagus (plant crowns / divisions, by Mar 16) · Bok Choy / Pak Choi (transplant outdoors, by Mar 16) · Broccoli (transplant outdoors, by Mar 16) · Brussels Sprouts (transplant outdoors, by Mar 16) · Cauliflower (transplant outdoors, by Mar 16) · Chives (plant crowns / divisions, by Mar 16) · Endive & Escarole (transplant outdoors, by Mar 16) · Leek (transplant outdoors, by Mar 16) · Lettuce (transplant outdoors, by Mar 16) · Napa Cabbage (transplant outdoors, by Mar 16) · Parsley (transplant outdoors, by Mar 16) · Radicchio (transplant outdoors, by Mar 16) · Sorrel (plant crowns / divisions, by Mar 16) · Swiss Chard (transplant outdoors, by Mar 16) · Watercress (transplant outdoors, by Mar 16)

Sow or plant outdoors in March (118)

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

Start seeds indoors in March (7)

Indoor sowings for transplants later. Six to eight weeks under lights is typical for tomatoes and peppers; onions and leeks need longer.

Harvesting in March

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

Last-frost month: March garden jobs in zone 8

1. The average last frost is March 20. Hardy crops can go out now - green onion / scallion, arugula, beet, fava bean (broad bean) - 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 8 average is worked out.

Questions gardeners ask