What to plant in March

BY The Gardener February 4, 2025

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What to plant in March

Bare root blackcurrant bush. Jason Ingram

Plenty of flower and vegetable crops can be sown in March in the UK, as the days begin to lengthen and become warmer. March is a good time to sow a huge variety of seeds, some of which can be sown direct and others sown indoors to be planted out after all risk of frost has passed.

Some crops, such as chillies and tomatoes, should be sown early in the year to give them the long growing season they need. Others, such as salads, can be started off early so you can enjoy them in late spring and early summer, but keep sowing them every few weeks to extend the harvest. Now is a good month to plant early potatoes and sow hardier veg like beetroot direct outdoors.

Hardy annuals such as cornflowers and poppies can also now be sown direct outside, where they are to flower. These do best on ‘poor’ soil, so don’t enrich it with fertiliser. Half-hardy annuals such as dahlias, zinnias and perennials are best sown under glass, and should be planted out into fertile soil after all risk of frost has passed.

March is also the last month where you can plant bare-root trees and canes such as blackcurrants, while they are dormant, and is also a good time to plant potted shrubs as the soil begins to warm up. Why not plant some early summer flowering shrubs like weigela and California lilac to boost colour in the garden through May and June?

Find out which fruit, vegetable, flowers, trees and shrubs you can sow and plant in March, below.

You will need:

It’s exciting to be able to start sowing a variety of different seeds at this time of year, and to give them the best chance you might find that it’s worth investing in additional kit, which we’ve suggested below.

  • Heated propagators:Available in a range of shapes and sizes, we’ve suggested the best heated propagators, which provide the perfect growing conditions for seedlings.
  • Cold Frames:If you’re prepared to add a bit of extra insulation, a cold frame offers protection against wet, cold weather and can help hardy seeds get off to a flying start too – check out our pick of the best garden cold frames.
  • Greenhouses:For those of you who have been toying with the idea of a greenhouse, we’ve got handy guides packed with information about how to choose the best greenhouse, as well as 12 of the most useful greenhouse accessories. No outside space? No problem – our round-up of the best indoor greenhouses is just for you.

Vegetables to plant in March

Broad beans

[image id=”22330″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Harvesting broad beans. Sarah Cuttle” alt=”Harvesting broad beans. Sarah Cuttle” classes=””] Harvesting broad beans. Sarah Cuttle

When to harvest: May to August.

How to grow: broad beans are a productive, easy-to-grow crop, producing tender beans in large pods. Make a 5cm drill and place seeds at 15-20cm intervals. Cover seed with soil and water. Leave 20cm between rows. Broad beans can also be grown in pots. Pinch out the growing tips of young plants once flowers appear. The young shoot tips can be used in salads.

Chard

[image id=”24131″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Swiss chard in a container. Neil Hepworth” alt=”Swiss chard in a container. Neil Hepworth” classes=””] Swiss chard in a container. Neil Hepworth

When to harvest: July to October.

How to grow: choose a variety like ‘Bright Lights’, which bears different coloured stems and looks lovely in a pot. Sow direct when the soil warms up. Sow thinly, 1.5cm deep and cover with soil. Water well. Once seedlings appear, thin them out, leaving 25-30cm between plants. Water well after thinning. Sow every few weeks for a continuous supply of crops. Pick regularly for baby leaves or allow to grow for larger leaves that can be steamed like spinach.

Chillies

[image id=”26685″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Harvesting chillies. Sarah Cuttle” alt=”Harvesting chillies. Sarah Cuttle” classes=””] Harvested chillies. Sarah Cuttle

When to harvest: July to October.

How to grow: chillies do best in pots and can be grown on a sunny windowsill or in a greenhouse. Choose compact, small-fruited varieties and early ripeners for a more reliable harvest in cooler weather. Sow on to the surface of peat-free, multi-purpose compost and cover with a thin layer of compost or vermiculite. Cover the pots with a propagator lid or clear plastic bag held in place with an elastic band to create a mini greenhouse. Place on a sunny windowsill or on a heated propagator. Remove the plastic bag as soon as seedlings appear.

Chives

[image id=”11536″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Picking chives. Jason Ingram” alt=”Picking chives. Jason Ingram” classes=””] Picking chives. Jason Ingram

When to harvest:May to September.

How to grow:chives are great for container growing as they don’t take up much space. Sow a pinch of seeds into individual seed modules filled with peat-free, multi-purpose compost. Cover with 1cm of compost, water well, label and place on a sunny windowsill or in a greenhouse. Plant outside or into larger pots after all risk of frost has passed. Pick regularly to encourage new leaves to grow. If left to bloom, chive flowers attract pollinators.

Kale

[image id=”191690″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Kale. Jason Ingram” alt=”Kale. Jason Ingram” classes=””] Kale. Jason Ingram

When to harvest: September to March.

How to grow: kale is perfect for a semi-shaded spot. Grow in pots or the ground for cut-and-come again crops of young leaves to use in salads, or lightly steamed as a veg. Sow three seeds into individual seed modules filled with peat-free multi-purpose compost. Cover with 2cm of compost, water well, label and place on a sunny windowsill or in a greenhouse. Alternatively, sow direct in drills 1cm deep. Once seedlings appear, thin to 7.5cm apart, leaving the strongest seedlings. Thin again once plants are bigger, leaving 45cm between plants. The plants you thin out can be moved to a new row if you have the space.

Peas

[image id=”21250″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Harvesting Pea ‘Hurst Green Shaft’. Jason Ingram” alt=”Harvesting Pea ‘Hurst Green Shaft’. Jason Ingram” classes=””] Harvesting pea ‘Hurst Green Shaft’. Jason Ingram

When to harvest: June to October.

How to grow: grow peas in large pots for shoots or in the ground for peas. Choose hardy, early varieties for sowing in March. Make a shallow trench about 5cm deep and 20cm wide. Sow two rows of peas, roughly 10cm apart and cover with soil. Water well and label. Seedlings should appear in one to two weeks. Push in twiggy sticks to support peas as they grow.

Potatoes

[image id=”150120″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Harvesting new potatoes. Jason Ingram” alt=”Harvesting new potatoes. Jason Ingram” classes=””] Harvesting new potatoes. Jason Ingram

When to harvest:June to July

How to grow: potatoes can be grown in the ground or in pots. Chit the seed potatoes by placing the tubers in old egg boxes or seed trays on a cool, light window sill to encourage shoots to form. Towards the end of the month, plant the sprouting tubers in to pre-dug trenches or in pots or sacks on top of 10cm of compost, then cover with an additional 10cm of compost. Earth up or add more compost when the shoots appear.

Sweet peppers

[image id=”91600″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Sweet red pepper. Jason Ingram” alt=”Sweet red pepper. Jason Ingram” classes=””] Sweet red pepper. Jason Ingram

When to harvest:June to September.

How to grow: tender sweet peppers need warmth and light. They do best in pots, ideally in a greenhouse. Sow seeds onto the surface of moist, peat-free, multi-purpose compost, and then cover with a light layer of compost or vermiculite. Cover with a propagator lid or clear plastic bag held in place with an elastic band to create a mini greenhouse. Place on a sunny windowsill or heated propagator. Remove the plastic bag as soon as seedlings appear.

Tomatoes

[image id=”67963″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Harvesting ripe tomatoes. Paul Debois” alt=”Harvesting ripe tomatoes. Paul Debois” classes=””] Harvesting ripe tomatoes. Paul Debois

When to harvest:July to September.

How to grow: tomatoes can be easy to grow, but cordon varieties need support and regular pruning. Choose bush, tumbling or cordon cherry varieties for pots, and cordon varieties for growing in the ground or in growing bags. Sow seed on to the surface of moist, peat-free multi-purpose compost, and cover with a fine layer of compost or vermiculite. Cover with a propagator lid or clear plastic bag held in place with an elastic band to create a mini greenhouse. Place on a sunny windowsill or heated propagator. Remove the cover as soon as seedlings appear and pot on seedlings into individual pots once the first set of true leaves appear.

Beetroot

[image id=”38857″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Harvesting beetroot. Jason Ingram” alt=”Harvesting beetroot. Jason Ingram” classes=””] Harvesting beetroot. Jason Ingram

When to harvest: June to October.

How to grow: beetroot will germinate in low temperatures, so can be sown in late March when the soil starts to warm up (if you have clay soil wait another few weeks before sowing direct as it takes longer to warm up). Sow seed direct in shallow drills, about 1cm deep, and cover with a fine layer of soil or compost. Leave 30cm between rows. Beetroot are also a good vegetable to grow in containers. Harvest when the beets have reached golf ball size. Sow every few weeks for a continuous supply of crops throughout summer.

Salad

[image id=”191698″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Harvesting salad leaves such as mizuna. Sarah Cuttle” alt=”Harvesting salad leaves such as mizuna. Sarah Cuttle” classes=””] Harvesting salad leaves such as mizuna. Sarah Cuttle

When to harvest: May to November.

How to grow: start sowing salad from March onwards, and you’ll be enjoying delicious leaves for months to come. In cold regions in March, salad leaves are best sown indoors and planted out after all risk of frost has passed. In the south, once the soil has warmed up, sow direct outdoors. Feel the soil with the back of your hand before sowing to check the temperature. Make a shallow drill 1cm deep and sow thinly along the bottom. Cover lightly with soil and water well. Sow every few weeks for a constant supply of salad.

Fruit to grow in March

Blackberries

[image id=”2974″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Picking blackberries. Tim Sandall” alt=”Picking blackberries. Tim Sandall” classes=””] Picking blackberries. Tim Sandall

When to harvest: July to September.

How to grow: plant blackberry canes in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Soak the canes before planting, then plant the canes to the original soil mark and firm in well. Blackberries fruit on two-year old canes. Cut any fruited canes down after fruiting is over and tie in new canes.

Gooseberries

[image id=”6028″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Picking gooseberry ‘Pax’. Sarah Cuttle” alt=”Picking gooseberry ‘Pax’. Sarah Cuttle” classes=””] Picking gooseberry ‘Pax’. Sarah Cuttle

When to harvest: June to August.

How to grow: in March, you can still plant bare-root gooseberry bushes. Choose a spot in sun or light shade, where the soil is moist but free draining. Plant the bushes at the same level as the soil mark on the stem and firm in well. If you’re planting more than one bush, leave 1-1.5m between them. You can also buy standard and fan-trained gooseberry plants.

Pears

[image id=”27095″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Ripening pears. Sarah Cuttle” alt=”Ripening pears. Sarah Cuttle” classes=””] Ripening pears. Sarah Cuttle

When to harvest: August to October.

How to grow: plant pears in moist, free-draining soil in full sun or partial shade. The best time to plant bare-root pear trees is between November and March. Dig a square hole to allow room for the roots to spread out and plant to the same level as the soil mark on the stem. Firm in well and water.

Currants

[image id=”84097″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Blackcurrants. Paul Debois” alt=”Blackcurrants. Paul Debois” classes=””] Blackcurrants. Paul Debois

When to harvest: June to August.

How to grow:blackcurrants like a sunny, sheltered spot although they can tolerate light shade. Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball and add plenty of organic matter before planting. Blackcurrants should be planted deeply – plant 5cm deeper than the soil mark on the plant’s stem. This will encourage new shoots to grow from the base.

Flowers to grow in March

Cornflowers

[image id=”169684″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Centaurea cyanus ‘Black Ball’. (cornflower). Neil Hepworth” alt=”Centaurea cyanus ‘Black Ball’. (cornflower). Neil Hepworth” classes=””] Centaurea cyanus ‘Black Ball’. (cornflower). Neil Hepworth

Flowers: June to August.

How to grow: hardy annuals such as cornflowers can be sown directly where they are to flower this month. As well as the species cornflower, which is blue, there are also maroon, pink and white cornflowers. Sow between March and May. Prepare the ground well by clearing it of weeds and raking it to a fine tilth, and don’t be tempted to enrich the soil. Once seedlings appear, thin to around 30cm apart. It takes around 10 weeks from sowing to flowering time.

Sweet peas

Sweet pea

Flowers:May/June to August.

How to grow: sweet peas can be sown under cover from October to March. They like a long root run, so sow into deep pots or modules. Sweet peas need some form of support as they grow – a wigwam is ideal. Harden off seedlings before planting out in April.

Aquilegia

[image id=”174804″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Aquilegia ‘Louisiana’. Paul Debois” alt=”Aquilegia ‘Louisiana’. Paul Debois” classes=””] Aquilegia ‘Louisiana’. Paul Debois

Flowers: May to June.

How to grow: plant aquilegias in partial shade, in moist but well-drained soil. Tease out the roots before planting and plant at the same level it was in its pot. Firm in well and water. After a few years you should be able to divide the plant to get more plants for free, but aquilegias are also prolific self seeders.

Zinnias

[image id=”26378″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Zinnia elegans ‘Scarlet Flame’. Jason Ingram” alt=”Zinnia elegans ‘Scarlet Flame’. Jason Ingram” classes=””] Zinnia elegans ‘Scarlet Flame’. Jason Ingram

Flowers: July to October.

How to grow: half hardy annuals like zinnia can also be sown in March. They are not frost hardy, so must be sown under cover. Sow seeds on the surface of a tray of peat-free, multi-purpose compost, then cover with vermiculite, water and place the tray in a heated propagator. Pot on after the first true leaves have grown and plant out after all risk of frost has passed in May or June.

Dahlias

[image id=”45024″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Dahlias in pots. Sarah Cuttle” alt=”Dahlias in pots. Sarah Cuttle” classes=””] Dahlias in pots. Sarah Cuttle

Flowers: July to October.

How to grow: dahlias are tender perennials that will flower in their first year if sown in the greenhouse in March. Fill a pot or seed tray with moist compost and lightly firm the surface. Gently push your dahlia seeds into the compost. Cover pots with an inflated clear polythene bag, held in place with a rubber band. If sown in seed trays, cover with a propagator lid. Once the seeds have germinated, remove the cover. Then, when the seedlings have true leaves, prick the seedlings out and transfer into individual pots. Harden off plants in May and plant out once the danger of frost is over.

Lupins

[image id=”159756″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Lupins growing alongside salvias. Jason Ingram” alt=”Lupins growing alongside salvias. Jason Ingram” classes=””] Lupins growing alongside salvias. Jason Ingram

Flowers:May to June.

How to grow: plant lupins in full sun to partial shade. These plants thrive in moist, well-drained soil in a sheltered position. Dig a hole and plant with the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil. Firm in well and water. Keep an eye on young plants as they can attract slugs and snails.

Begonias

[image id=”24764″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Begonia ‘Apricot Shades’. Jason Ingram” alt=”Begonia ‘Apricot Shades’. Jason Ingram” classes=””] Begonia ‘Apricot Shades’. Jason Ingram

Flowers: July to October.

How to grow: between March and May, begonia tubers can be planted in pots under cover, ready for transplanting outside when the danger of frost is over. Plant into pots of multi-purpose compost, 15-20cm apart. Plant the tubers shallowly, the top of the tuber should be 1-2cm below the soil surface. Tuberous begonias are tender and so need to be dug up and stored over winter, or treated as annuals.

Trees and shrubs to plant in March

Skimmia japonica ‘Rubella’

[image id=”133861″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Skimmia japonica ‘Rubella’. Sarah Cuttle” alt=”Skimmia japonica ‘Rubella’. Sarah Cuttle” classes=””] Skimmia japonica ‘Rubella’. Sarah Cuttle

Flowers: April to May.

How to grow:this shrub is ideal for a spot in light or partial shade, where its dark red flower buds will lighten a border or container from autumn onwards. Plant in soil that has been enriched with organic matter and is well drained. Plant with the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil and firm in well. Water well and then regularly afterwards until established. ‘Rubella’ will grow to around 1.2m and makes a good plant for a pot while it’s still compact.

Flowering cherry

[image id=”145176″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Japanese flowering cherry Kiku-Shidare-Zakura flowers. Getty Images” alt=”Japanese flowering cherry Kiku-Shidare-Zakura flowers. Getty Images” classes=””] Japanese flowering cherry ‘Kiku-shidare-zakura’ flowers. Getty Images

Flowers: March to April

How to grow: ornamental cherry trees, most of which are cultivars of Prunus cerasus, are a great choice for adding spring flowers to the garden. March is a good time to plant bare-root trees, while they are still dormant and the soil is warming up. For a flowering cherry, choose a sunny spot, sheltered spot. Soak the tree’s roots in a bucket of water before planting. Dig a square hole, big enough to hold the roots, and plant the tree so that the soil level on the trunk is level with the ground. Backfill with soil and firm it in well. Water thoroughly after planting.

Californian lilac

[image id=”27077″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Ceanothus ‘Concha’. Jason Ingram” alt=”Ceanothus ‘Concha’. Jason Ingram” classes=””] Ceanothus ‘Concha’. Jason Ingram

Flowers:May to June.

How to grow:California lilacs are usually evergreen shrubs, which adds structural interest to the garden throughout the year. Plant in a sunny, sheltered spot in well-drained soil. Dig a hole that is slightly bigger than the root ball, placing the plant so that the root ball is level with the soil surface. Backfill with soil and firm in well. These shrubs are best planted in spring to allow them to establish before winter.

Weigela

[image id=”27321″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Weigela florida ‘Variegata’. Jason Ingram” alt=”Weigela florida ‘Variegata’. Jason Ingram” classes=””] Weigela florida ‘Variegata’. Jason Ingram

Flowers: May to June

How to grow:Âthese low-maintenance shrubs provide early summer flowers in colours that include dark pink, white and yellow. They thrive in a sunny or partially shady spot, in moist, well-drained soil. As with most shrubs, dig a hole that is a bit bigger than the root ball and make sure the top of the root ball is level with the ground. Firm the plant in well and water.

* This article was originally published here

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