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