What to do in the garden in March? Well, it depends a lot on geography. In some areas, this month that marks the end of winter and the start of spring still brings morning frosts, while in other regions it’s already pleasant. Either way, we garden! But don’t rush: there are still risks of heavy rain showers, melting snow, or hail. Discover our tips for gardening in March.
Vegetable garden, greenhouse, lawn, and flowers: what to do in March in the garden? What to plant in March?
As every month, we start with indoor work.
In the greenhouse in March
Depending on the weather where you are, you’ll still heat it or not. In the warmest regions, you’ll already be bleaching the glass and watering a bit more. We ventilate when the weather is nice, of course, but most of all we’ll be taking care of the seedlings!
This month, we prepare:
- Cleomes
- Cobaeas
- Diascias
- Eccremocarpus
- Gerberas
- Hibiscus
- Ipomoeas
- Minas lobatas
- Osteospermums
- Passionflowers
- Tobaccos
- Zinnias
For vegetables, you can start now in any region:
- Eggplants
- Cape gooseberries (Physalis peruviana)
- Chiles
- Pear-melons
- Bell peppers
- Tomatoes
In the south, also sow:
- Cardoons
- Celery
- Cucumbers
- Gherkins
- Squashes
- Okra
- Melons
Take cuttings everywhere:
- Anthemis
- Tuberous begonias
- Spotted begonias
- Chrysanthemums
- Crotons
- Dahlias
- Lantanas
And don’t forget to care for the summer bulbs (dahlias, etc.)
Vegetables: what to do in the kitchen garden in March? What to sow in March?
When the weather is nice, in the kitchen garden you aerate the cold frames and you open the winter protections. You can enrich the soil. Check your seed orders, and consider seed exchanges for home gardeners.
We’ll prepare potatoes by sprouting them before planting.
What to harvest in March?
- Spinach
What to plant in March?
- Garlic
- Artichokes
- Shallots, onions
We sow in place:
- Orach
- Beets
- Swiss chard
- Carrots
- Chervil
- Summer curly endives
- Chinese cabbages
- Chives
- Watercress
- Spinach
- Broad beans
- Onions
- Sorrel
- Parsley
- Leeks
- Peas
- Radishes
- Rapunzel (Rapunzel lettuce)
- Salsify and scorzonera
We sow under frames:
- Celery stalks
- Celeriac
- Summer cabbages
- Summer cauliflowers
- Spring lettuces
- Melons
- Turnips
- Radishes
We also plant:
- Pink garlic
- Strawberries
- White onions
- Jerusalem artichokes
What to do in the orchard and in the vineyard in March?
In the colder zones, protect the blossoms of fruit trees from frost. We prune summer-fruiting trees. If you’re using Bordeaux mixture, this is the preventive moment, but be sure to follow proper timings and dosages—it’s not something to take lightly.
We take cuttings:
- Currants
- Fig trees
- Gooseberries
- Kiwis
- Vines
What to plant in March
- Strawberries
- Small-fruit shrubs, well trimmed.
In the south, take care of olive trees to fertilize the soil, plant citrus trees, and prune or plant fig trees and grapevines.
Trees, shrubs, and roses in March: what to do?
It’s grafting time for trees (pines, broom, elms, cedars, etc.).
March cuttings:
- Star jasmine
- Poplars
- Willows
- Sumacs
What to plant in March:
- Evergreen shrubs
- Evergreen trees
- Pines and all conifers
We prune the vines and ivy. In the south, we tidy up the mimosa trees.
What to do for the lawn and ornamentals in March?
If needed, prepare and plant a new lawn. On an existing lawn, clear the area by removing stones and apply fertilizer when the weather is nice, note any bare patches to determine if reseeding is needed. If the weather is already pleasant where you are, mow the lawn for the first time as needed.
We’re already preparing spring and summer
On the flowering side, we’ll start summer bulbs. We’ll take cuttings of bamboo. Finally, we divide perennials and plant them.
We’ll bore the garden with a grelinette and clean the beds, giving them organic fertilizer.
