What to plant in March, zone 5a
In zone 5a, the typical last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 5. Here is your March checklist.
Start indoors
Start these indoors this month:
- BasilMarch 8 to March 22
- BroccoliFebruary 22 to March 8
- CabbageFebruary 22 to March 8
- CauliflowerMarch 1 to March 15
- CollardsMarch 8
- EggplantMarch 8
- KaleFebruary 15 to March 1
- LettuceMarch 22 to March 29
- MarigoldMarch 22 to April 5
- ParsleyMarch 8 to March 22
- PepperMarch 8
- PetuniaFebruary 22 to March 8
- RhubarbMarch 22
- SpinachMarch 22 to March 29
- Swiss ChardMarch 22 to March 29
- TomatoMarch 22 to March 29
Transplant outdoors
Move these out to the garden this month:
- KaleMarch 29 to April 5
Direct sow
Sow these straight into the ground this month:
- KaleMarch 29 to April 5
Want your exact dates?
These are zone 5a averages. Enter your ZIP for a calendar built on your nearest weather station.
Open the planting calendarUSDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, 2023. USDA Agricultural Research Service / Oregon State University PRISM Group. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020. Zone dates are medians; local conditions vary.