Getting Started: What to Plant in March
March is a prime month for gardeners across the UK to begin sowing and planting a wide array of vegetables, flowers, and herbs, signalling the true start of the growing season. As soil temperatures gradually rise and daylight hours lengthen, many seeds can be sown directly outdoors, while more tender varieties benefit from protection under glass or cloches. Success in March planting often hinges on understanding your local conditions and choosing the right varieties for the season ahead.
- Sow hardy vegetables like peas, carrots, and radishes directly outdoors.
- Start tender vegetables like tomatoes and peppers under glass.
- Plant bare-root roses and fruit trees before they fully leaf.
- Sow annual flowers for vibrant summer displays.
- Consider early spring bulbs for late-season blooms.
The transition from winter to spring offers a dynamic planting window. While frost can still pose a risk in many regions, particularly in the north, milder climates allow for more ambitious outdoor sowing. For those in colder areas, the focus shifts to protecting young plants and starting vulnerable crops indoors. Understanding the difference between hardy and half-hardy plants is key to maximising your March planting success and avoiding disappointment.
For many, March is synonymous with getting the vegetable patch ready. It’s the time to embrace outdoor sowing for crops that can withstand cooler soil, such as spinach, lettuce, and broad beans. These hardy options provide an early harvest and build momentum for the summer bounty. Simultaneously, it’s the perfect opportunity to prepare beds for later-sown crops by incorporating compost and removing any lingering winter debris. This foundational work ensures your garden is set up for a productive season.
Beyond vegetables, March is also a critical month for floral displays. Many summer-flowering annuals can be sown now, either directly into prepared borders or started indoors for transplanting later. This early start is essential for ensuring these plants have enough time to mature and flower prolifically throughout the warmer months. Even some perennial plants can be divided and replanted during this period, breathing new life into established borders.
The choice of what to plant in March is dictated by climate, soil condition, and the desired outcome, whether that’s an abundant vegetable harvest, a riot of colourful flowers, or establishing new shrubs. By strategically selecting what goes into the ground now, gardeners can enjoy a succession of blooms and harvests from spring right through to autumn. This proactive approach ensures a continuous display of life and colour in the garden.
Vegetable Patch Priorities: What to Sow and Plant
When considering what vegetables can I plant now, March offers a wealth of opportunities for both direct sowing and starting indoor crops. Hardy varieties are your best bet for outdoor success, capable of germinating and growing in cooler soil temperatures. This resilience allows you to get a head start on the growing season, ensuring a steady supply of fresh produce.
Direct Sowing for Hardy Crops
The soil in many parts of the UK is beginning to warm sufficiently for direct sowing of a variety of essential vegetables. Think about root vegetables that appreciate cooler soil for germination, such as carrots, parsnips (if not sown in autumn), and beetroot. These can be sown in well-prepared, free-draining soil. Peas and broad beans are also excellent candidates for direct sowing in March; they thrive in cooler conditions and can tolerate light frosts. Radishes are famously quick growers and can be sown successively every few weeks for a continuous supply.
Leafy greens also perform well. Spinach, rocket, and various types of lettuce, including hardy varieties like Little Gem or Tom Thumb, can be sown directly into the ground or in containers. These are often referred to as plants to plant in winter uk if sown very late in the previous season, but March is when outdoor sowing becomes much more reliable for them. Consider sowing these in modules or directly into pots if your soil is still waterlogged or particularly cold.
Starting Tender Crops Under Cover
For vegetables that require warmer conditions, such as tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, and cucumbers, March is the ideal time to start them off indoors or in a heated greenhouse. These are half-hardy plants that will not tolerate frost and need a long growing season. Sowing them now under glass gives them the necessary time to develop and produce fruit later in the summer. Use a good quality seed compost and sow thinly in trays or small pots. Ensure they are kept warm and receive plenty of light once germinated.
Potatoes and Onions
Chitting seed potatoes can be done earlier, but March is the month to plant them out in many areas, especially in milder southern regions. Plant them in well-dug soil, or in large containers if space is limited or the ground is still very cold. Earlies can be planted first, followed by maincrop varieties later in the month or in April. Onion sets, which are essentially small bulbs, can also be planted directly into the ground. They are quite hardy and will establish well before summer growth really begins. Leeks can also be sown now, either directly or under cover, for transplanting later.
Preparing beds for these crops involves ensuring good drainage and adding organic matter. For direct-sown crops, a fine tilth is essential for good seed-to-soil contact. For potatoes, ensure the planting depth is appropriate to protect the young shoots from late frosts. These early efforts in the vegetable patch lay the groundwork for a productive and varied harvest throughout the spring and summer months.
Floral Flourish: Flowers and Bulbs for March Planting
March presents a significant opportunity for gardeners to sow flower seeds and plant bulbs, transforming outdoor spaces into vibrant displays. Whether you’re aiming for bold summer colours or delicate spring blooms, strategic planting in March is key. It’s about building layers of colour and interest that will evolve throughout the season.
Sowing Annuals and Hardy Perennials
For a spectacular summer show, many annual flowers are best sown in March. Hardy annuals like poppies, cornflowers, calendula, and nasturtiums can be sown directly into the soil in their final positions. These are forgiving plants that will germinate readily and provide continuous blooms. Half-hardy annuals, such as zinnias, cosmos, and marigolds, are best started indoors or in a greenhouse during March. Sow them in trays of seed compost and keep them warm until the risk of frost has passed, typically after the last expected frost date in your area, before transplanting them outside.
It’s also a good time to sow some perennial seeds, though they may take longer to establish and flower. Varieties like salvias, echinaceas, and rudbeckias can be started under cover. For existing perennial borders, March is an excellent month to divide overcrowded clumps. Lift them, split them into smaller sections, and replant them in improved soil. This revitalises the plants and provides you with new specimens to fill gaps or share.
Planting Spring Bulbs for Late Displays
While many spring bulbs like tulips and daffodils are best planted in autumn, March is still a viable time to plant certain bulbs for late-season interest or to fill gaps. Bulbs to plant now can include certain varieties of lilies, gladioli, and dahlias, which are typically planted once the soil has warmed up more significantly. These will provide colour later in spring and throughout summer. Gladioli corms, for instance, can be planted in succession from March through to May to extend their flowering period.
It is also an excellent time to plant summer-flowering bulbs and tubers such as cannas, dahlias, and tuberous begonias, either directly into the ground in warmer areas or into pots to get them started. If you have a sheltered spot or a greenhouse, you can plant these now and transplant them outdoors after the danger of frost has passed. For those looking for plants to plant in winter uk, many of these bulb types offer the opportunity for a transition into spring colour if they were overwintered correctly or if new ones are planted now.
Roses and Shrubs
March is the tail end of the season for planting bare-root roses and deciduous shrubs. If you can still find them in this format, planting them now allows them to establish their root systems before the summer heat arrives. Ensure the soil is moist and well-drained, and water them in thoroughly. For container-grown specimens, planting can continue throughout March, provided the soil is workable and not waterlogged. This is also a good time to prune many established roses and shrubs before they break into active growth.
The overarching principle for floral planting in March is to match the plant's needs with the prevailing conditions. Direct sowing hardy annuals capitalises on early warmth, while starting tender plants under glass ensures they have a fighting chance against unpredictable spring weather. Planting bulbs now, especially those that bloom later, extends the garden’s visual appeal. This thoughtful approach ensures a continuous cycle of bloom and foliage, creating a dynamic and attractive garden throughout the warmer months.
Herbs, Fruit, and Container Gardening in March
March extends beyond just vegetables and flowers; it’s a crucial month for establishing culinary herbs, planting fruit bushes and trees, and maximising small spaces through container gardening. These aspects are vital for a well-rounded and productive garden, offering flavour, sustenance, and beauty.
Sowing and Planting Culinary Herbs
Many popular herbs can be sown directly outdoors in March, particularly the hardier varieties. Parsley, chives, coriander, and dill can be sown in a sunny spot. For these, prepare the soil by removing weeds and ensuring it’s not too compacted. Successive sowing of herbs like coriander and rocket can provide a continuous harvest. Mint, oregano, thyme, and rosemary are generally best planted as young plants or divisions from existing stock, though some can be started from seed under cover.
Tender herbs like basil, however, are very sensitive to cold and must be started indoors or in a greenhouse during March. Sow them in small pots or trays and keep them in a warm, bright location. They should not be moved outdoors until all risk of frost has completely passed, usually well into May. Using pots allows you to control the soil conditions and temperature, giving these delicate herbs the best start.
Fruit Bushes and Trees
March is often the last call for planting bare-root fruit trees and bushes. This includes apples, pears, plums, cherries, currants, gooseberries, and raspberries. Plant them in well-prepared soil, ensuring adequate spacing for their mature size. Proper soil preparation, including adding compost, is vital for healthy establishment. Water them thoroughly after planting. Container-grown fruit plants can be planted throughout March and indeed into spring and summer, but planting bare-root stock now gives them the longest possible establishment period before summer stress.
If you have a greenhouse or a cold frame, March is an opportune time to start sowing some fruit seeds, such as strawberries from seed, though growing from established plants is more common and quicker. For those interested in what to plant now for early harvests, consider planting early strawberry varieties into pots or borders, or even covering existing plants with fleece or cloches to encourage earlier fruit development.
Container Gardening for Small Spaces
Container gardening offers a flexible and accessible way to grow plants, regardless of garden size. In March, you can begin sowing many vegetables and flowers directly into pots and containers, both indoors and outdoors, depending on their hardiness. Hardy vegetables like lettuce, spinach, radishes, and spring onions are ideal for containers. For larger pots, consider dwarf varieties of beans or even a small tomato plant started under glass.
Winter hanging basket plants may be looking tired, and March is the time to start thinking about refreshing them for spring and summer. You can plant pansies, violas, primroses, and trailing lobelia into hanging baskets and containers for immediate colour. For a more substantial display, you can start bedding plants like petunias, fuchsias, and geraniums indoors now, ready for planting out in late spring. Remember that plants in containers dry out faster than those in the ground, so regular watering is crucial, especially as the weather warms.
Whether you have a sprawling garden or a compact patio, March offers ample opportunities to get planting. The key is to select plants suited to your conditions and to provide them with the right start, whether that’s direct sowing into warming soil, nurturing tender seedlings under glass, or planting established bushes and trees. This strategic approach ensures a vibrant and productive garden experience.
Essential Considerations for March Planting
Successfully navigating what to plant in March involves more than just selecting the right seeds and plants; it requires attention to soil conditions, weather patterns, and the specific needs of each crop. This section covers key considerations to ensure your efforts yield rewarding results.
Soil Preparation and Temperature
The condition of your soil is paramount. March weather can be unpredictable, with potential for rain, frost, and even occasional warmth. Aim to work the soil only when it is dry enough – if it clumps excessively when squeezed, it’s too wet. Break up any compaction from winter and incorporate well-rotted organic matter, such as compost or well-matured manure. This improves soil structure, drainage, and fertility, creating a welcoming environment for seeds and roots.
Soil temperature is a critical factor for germination. While the air may feel warmer, the ground can remain cold. Hardy seeds like peas and broad beans can tolerate cooler soil (around 5-7°C), but many others require higher temperatures for reliable germination. For tender plants started under glass, maintaining consistent warmth is essential. Using cloches, cold frames, or fleece can help to warm the soil and protect young plants from adverse weather, effectively extending the planting window.
Pest and Disease Prevention
As the garden awakens, so do pests. Slugs and snails are notorious early offenders, particularly for young seedlings and tender shoots. Use barriers, traps, or organic deterrents to protect vulnerable plants. Birds can also be a nuisance, pecking at newly sown seeds and young plants. Netting or other deterrents may be necessary. Keep an eye out for common diseases like powdery mildew, which can affect some early-sown plants. Good air circulation and avoiding overcrowding can help prevent fungal issues.
Planning for Succession Planting
To ensure a continuous harvest and display throughout the year, succession planting is vital. This involves sowing or planting crops at intervals rather than all at once. For example, sow quick-growing radishes or lettuce every two to three weeks. Similarly, plant out batches of seedlings for crops like cabbage or leeks at different times. This strategy prevents a glut of produce all maturing simultaneously and ensures a steady supply, maximising the yield from your garden over a longer period.
When considering what to plant now, think about the entire growing season. Some plants sown in March will mature quickly, while others, like tomatoes or onions, require a longer period. Planning for this progression ensures that as early crops finish, later ones are ready to take their place. This thoughtful approach to planting is what transforms a garden from a seasonal project into a continuous source of food and beauty.