What to Plant in March

The winter rains slow down, the air smells fresh, and you’re itching to get into the garden. What can you plant in March, inside or outside, in the San Francisco Bay area?

March is one of the biggest months for planting in the San Francisco Bay area. It’s the time for planting artichokes, hops, rhubarb, grapes and berries, and just about all the cold season crops outside. Indoors, you can start your tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and any brassicas that you want to plant outside in the months ahead.

This list is based on my planting calendar, which is a great reference when you are choosing what to plant and what to prepare for each season. I’ve included sources for each plant and some notes to better help you in planning your garden this year.

Artichoke Root

Plant outside. This is the last recommended month until October to plant, unless you live in a SUNNY AREA.
Sources: Peaceful Valley

Bare Root Trees & Vines

IN FOGGY AREAS ONLY, plant outside. This is the last recommended month until January to plant.
Sources: Peaceful Valley

Fava Bean

Sow seeds outside.
Sources: Botanical Interests

Runner Bean

Sow seeds outside.
Sources: Botanical Interests

Beet

Sow seeds outside.
Sources: Botanical Interests

Broccoli

Plant seedlings outside or start seeds indoors and plant outside in May or June.
Sources: Botanical Interests

Cabbage

Plant seedlings outside or start seeds indoors and plant outside in May or June.
Sources: Botanical Interests

Carrot

Sow seeds outside.
Sources: Botanical Interests

Cauliflower

Plant seedlings outside. This is the last recommended month until August to plant, unless you live in a FOGGY AREA. Start seeds indoors to plant outside in April, May, or June in FOGGY AREAS.
Sources: Botanical Interests

Celery

Plant seedlings outside or start seeds indoors to plant outside in April, May (FOGGY AREAS), June (FOGGY AREAS), or July (FOGGY AREAS).
Sources: Botanical Interests

Collards

Sow seeds outside.
Sources: Botanical Interests

Cucumber

Sow seeds outside.
Sources: Botanical Interests

Hops Rhizomes

Plant outside.
Sources: Territorial Seed or Northern Brewer

Kale

Plant seedlings outside or start seeds indoors and plant outside in April.
Sources: Botanical Interests

Kohlrabi

Plant seedlings outside or start seeds indoors to plant outside in April, May (FOGGY AREAS), June (FOGGY AREAS), or July.
Sources: Botanical Interests

Leek

Sow seeds outside.
Sources: Botanical Interests

Lettuce

Sow seeds outside.
Sources: Botanical Interests

Mustard

Sow seeds outside.
Sources: Botanical Interests

Onion

Sow seeds outside.
Sources: Botanical Interests

Onion Sets

Plant outside. This is the last recommended month until January to plant.
Sources: Peaceful Valley

Parsnip

Sow seeds outside.
Sources: Botanical Interests

Peas

Sow seeds outside.
Sources: Botanical Interests

Pepper

Sow seeds indoors for planting in May or June.
Sources: Botanical Interests

Potato Tubers

Plant outside.
Sources: Peaceful Valley

Radish

Sow seeds outside.
Sources: Botanical Interests

Rhubarb Root

IN SUNNY AREAS ONLY, plant outside. This is the last recommended month until December (FOGGY AREAS)/January to plant.
Sources: Peaceful Valley

Spinach

Sow seeds outside.
Sources: Botanical Interests

Summer Squash

Sow seeds outside.
Sources: Botanical Interests

Swiss Chard

Sow seeds outside.
Sources: Botanical Interests

Tomato

Sow seeds indoors for planting in April/May (SUNNY AREAS)/June (SUNNY AREAS). This is the last recommended month until March to sow indoors unless you live in a SUNNY AREA.
Resources on growing Tomatoes: Bay Area Guide to Growing Tomatoes, Review of Cuore di Bue Tomatoes
Sources: Botanical Interests

Turnip

Sow seeds outside.
Sources: Botanical Interests