Bert Swope
March is when you can plant cool-season veggies like broccoli and lettuce. After the last frost has passed, these crops are ready for early harvesting.
March is also an ideal time to plant herbs. They add delicious flavor and flair to soups, salads, and entrees.
Vegetables
In March, many cool-season garden vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and lettuce, can be planted outdoors.
Cool-season plants such as peas can also be started indoors before planting them outdoors. Remember to harden them off before transplanting them outside, so they are ready for their new environment.
1. Lettuce
Vegetable gardening is best done in spring. Not only will you be able to enjoy fresh-picked produce, but you’ll save money and feel good about what you’re eating at the same time!
Lettuce and radish are two of the most sought-after vegetables to grow. Not only are they easy to cultivate, but once established in the ground, they require minimal upkeep for long-term success.
Other cool-season vegetables to grow in March include broccoli, cauliflower, Swiss chard, and cabbage. All these can be started indoors before planting in the garden around mid-March. The great thing about these plants is they’re ready to harvest within just a few weeks! Unfortunately, these perennial favorites may be hard to locate in garden stores this month.
2. Carrots
Carrots are an incredibly versatile vegetable, suitable for many dishes such as salads, soups, and even desserts. Not to mention they make a healthy snack!
These fruits and vegetables provide a wealth of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A, for eye health. Furthermore, they contain high amounts of potassium, which is known to lower blood pressure, promote heart and bone health, and protect against cancer.
Additionally, carrots provide dietary fiber, which helps you feel full and satisfied after eating. Furthermore, carrots have been known to regulate blood sugar levels.
Carrots contain luteolin, an antioxidant that may prevent cancer and reduce inflammation. Eating a serving of carrots could potentially lower your risk of developing lung, prostate, or stomach cancers.
3. Radishes
Are you searching for a quick and effortless crop to grow this spring? Consider growing radishes. They’ll be ready to pick in just a few weeks, making them ideal for refreshing salads.
They can also be roasted for extra nutrition and flavor! Add peanut butter to your sliced radishes for an added boost of nutrition.
They make for an excellent addition to any garden bed, as they can thrive in almost any soil and require little watering. You can plant them successively and have a steady supply throughout the springtime.
4. Peas
Peas are an incredibly nutrient-rich food packed with protein, vitamins C and B6, dietary fiber, and minerals like iron, magnesium, and potassium. Furthermore, their low sodium content makes them a heart-healthy option.
They can be eaten raw, steamed or lightly boiled and are delicious in soups and salads – particularly green pea soup!
Peas come in various varieties, such as garden, snow, and sugar snap. Snow peas have flat pods with small peas inside them, while garden peas have round shapes.
Look for young, tender peas with bright green and shiny shells – not dull or blotchy for optimal quality peas.
5. Broccoli
When gardening in March in the US, the best vegetables and herbs to grow thrive in cool temperatures. Lettuce and broccoli especially flourish with temperatures in the low to mid-sixties; carrots in this range come a close second with high yields and tame growth habits. Plant these crops around mid-March; harvest them between early-mid May.
This month in the US, lettuce and carrots are tied for first place, with broccoli close behind. It’s worth noting that gardens often produce their healthiest and nutrient-dense produce – not necessarily the biggest or most abundant produce. This reflects how beneficial growing certain veggies can be when they’re at their healthiest and tastiest.
6. Swiss Chard
March is an ideal time to plant frost-tolerant vegetables and those that require a long growing season. For instance, broccoli, radish, and peas can be planted outdoors or started indoors four weeks prior to your region’s last frost date.
Swiss chard makes an ideal vegetable garden plant due to its quick harvest time and limited space requirements. Plus, its nutritious leaves are packed with vitamins and antioxidants.
Seeds of chard vary in size, so measure and weigh them before sowing. Some seeds perform better soaked, so you may want to experiment with soaking yours prior to sowing.
Swiss chard is an easy to grow from seed, ready for transplanting around 4-5 weeks after sowing. It requires a lot of water in order to thrive, making it ideal for greenhouse cultivation.
7. Spinach
It’s time to put away your boots and get outside in the garden! Warm weather offers a welcome change from indoors and an opportunity to test how far your gardening budget will stretch. With some planning, you could have a bounty within no time! But before heading out there, remember to check the forecast first; weather conditions may differ significantly from year to year.
When selecting which vegetables and herbs to grow, the key is having a sound crop rotation plan. This will keep your plants happy and healthy while also increasing yields. To get the most from your garden, it is also important to consider which crops are most suitable for your location and soil type.
8. Beets
Beets are one of the ideal vegetables to grow in March. These earthy red roots are packed with essential vitamins and minerals, plus a great source of fiber and antioxidants.
Beets can be easily grown in pots or in the garden, making them an ideal choice for beginners in gardening. They thrive best in a sunny spot with well-drained soil.
Sage is an ideal plant for the cool season garden. Not only is it easy to grow, but you can also use it in many recipes.
9. Brussels Sprouts
Herbs are an excellent way to add flavor and vibrancy to your meals. They’re much healthier than green veggies due to their lower pests and diseases.
Growing vegetables is an excellent choice for beginners or those with little experience in gardening. They are low maintenance and can thrive in most warm climates with minimal care – though some soil preparation before planting is recommended.
Brussels sprouts are a popular vegetable for spring planting in the US as they are disease-resistant and don’t require too much sunlight or warmth to thrive. Furthermore, Brussels sprouts can easily be grown from seeds or starter plants from nurseries; once you set up an area suitable for planting, you’re ready to start harvesting!
Herbs
Herbs make an excellent addition to any kitchen window sill. With some sunlight and proper care, these herbs will blossom into delicious, fresh, and healthy ingredients for your cooking repertoire.
Herbs can either be planted directly in the ground or grown from seeds. Seed-starting is often more cost-effective and offers a wider selection of herb varieties.
1. Basil
March is an ideal time to plant seeds for vegetables and herbs that will thrive in the coming season. As we transition from winter to spring, some fruits and vegetables that were out-of-season last year may return this time around, while new varieties of popular veggies will be available at retail outlets as well.
Basil is one of the most beloved herbs to grow and cook with, being an easy-to-care-for plant that thrives best in containers or outdoor gardens. This versatile herb adds a fresh, fragrant taste to many dishes.
Indoors, it can be grown indoors on a windowsill in an area that receives morning sunlight. All that’s required for successful cultivation is some watering and some sunshine!
Basil varieties offer a diverse palette of flavors and aromas. Some are hotter than others, often featuring notes of pepper or lemon, while others are fragrant with a more subdued, fruity fragrance.
Basil can be grown indoors in a small pot or flat filled with high-quality topsoil or potting mix. Poke shallow holes about 1/4 inch deep in each pot section, and seeds should germinate within one to two weeks.
Maintain your basil plants by watering them twice daily until they are established. Be careful not to overwater, as dry soil can quickly dry out and lead to root rot.
As your basil plants reach a height of around 4 inches, pinch off the top two pairs of leaves from each stem. Doing this will encourage the plant to become bushy and robust.
2. Cilantro
March is the ideal time to get your garden in top condition for the season. It’s also when to plant seeds for vegetables like peas, beans, and carrots. Additionally, herbs like cilantro, parsley, and dill can be planted, which don’t like being transplanted or watered frequently. For best results, place these herbs near a sunny window or patio where they will receive ample sun exposure.
Herb plants can be found in most garden centers. To get the most out of them, select drought-resistant, cold-hardy, and pest-resistant varieties. It’s worth noting that some herbs, like sage, are easy to propagate from cuttings. Plus, unlike most weeds, herbs don’t need regular fertilizer application, so you save both money and time by growing your own. The rewards are incredible: lush, vibrant colors with delightfully scented foliage!
3. Dill
Dill (Anethum graveolens) is a biennial plant in the carrot family and, like fennel, grows quickly. It features feathery-green foliage with bright green edges that resemble carrot leaves.
Dill leaves are widely used to season dishes such as cucumbers, tzatziki sauce, and Greek yogurt soup. Dill can also be added to salad dressings and pickles to create delicious flavors with potatoes, eggs, and fish.
Dill is an excellent source of calcium, which is especially important for postmenopausal women. Calcium helps with bone health and helps prevent osteoporosis. Furthermore, Dill contains vitamin C – an effective antioxidant against free radical damage.
Dill is a common garden herb because it attracts beneficial insects and butterflies to the garden, making it an excellent companion plant for other herbs. Dill also helps control pests and diseases in the yard, such as cabbage white butterfly caterpillars.
To maintain dill’s control, ensure it gets plenty of sunshine and well-drained soil. Doing this will prevent it from becoming a weed. Additionally, harvest all leaves before they lose their distinctive flavor.
Dill is an effective herbal remedy for insomnia. Its flavonoids and B vitamins activate certain enzymes and hormones with a calming effect, making it an effective treatment for indigestion and heartburn. You can infuse it into wine or water to relax the stomach while reducing infants’ flatulence.
4. Parsley
Parsley is an aromatic green herb that adds flavor to soups, stews, and sauces. It’s popular among home and professional chefs due to its ease of growing indoors or outdoors.
Salatini makes for a refreshing salad with its tart and lemony flavors paired with tomatoes, cucumbers, avocados, and mint. It can also be found as part of salsa verde and tabbouleh dishes as well as being an appetizing garnish on grilled chicken or pork.
The plant provides several health advantages, such as preventing skin cancer and strengthening the immune system. It contains beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A in the body and boasts high levels of antioxidants.
Parsley has many medicinal uses, including treating bladder infections, inducing menstruation in diabetics, and making a poultice for bruises or insect bites.
It’s an excellent calcium and Vitamin K source, both essential for bone health. Furthermore, it contains high amounts of folic acid, which may aid in treating osteoporosis.
Parsley is also packed with Vitamins A and C, essential for eye health. Furthermore, it’s an excellent source of flavonoids such as luteolin and apigenin; these compounds have antibacterial properties and help to freshen breath.
Parsley is an incredibly versatile herb, capable of being used in almost any dish. It makes a delicious garnish for pasta dishes or adds delicious flavor to salads.
Parsley is a favorite herb to grow in US homes and gardens due to its ease of cultivation, ease of maintenance, and long germination time. To ensure successful results, start seeds early and keep them well watered.
5. Rosemary
Once the weather warms up, you can begin planning to plant your first vegetables and herbs. Now is an excellent time to get your garden underway and set yourself up for a successful growing season.
Early spring brings out the best vegetables and herbs, such as lettuce, onions, potatoes, and peas.
If you want to grow vegetables and herbs indoors, ensure your soil is suitable, and the light and temperature conditions are suitable. Some crops can be started indoors up to 6-8 weeks before your last frost date.
Start your herbs from seeds for the easiest and most economical approach. This is the most straightforward and economical way to get your first harvest of herbs underway.
Planting your own herbs is an excellent way to learn about gardening and can be a fun activity for the whole family. Plus, these plants are fast-growing, compact, and simple to care for – making it the ideal beginner’s project!
Rosemary is a perennial herb beloved for its stunning foliage and woodsy aroma. It also has culinary uses, making it an excellent choice for adding flavor to meals.
When cultivating rosemary, providing plenty of sunlight and water is essential. Place your plant near a window or on a windowsill that faces south, west, or east for optimal growth.
To propagate a new plant, cut off the bottom of a healthy stalk 3 inches below its leaf crown and place it in moistened potting soil. Repeat this process every couple of weeks until you have multiple plants established.
Remember that rosemary plants are highly vulnerable to mildew, weak stems and leaf spot. So ensure the soil is well-drained and not leaving foliage too wet when watering your rosemary.