Spring is almost here, and you may be feeling the shift in the air! The days are getting longer, the soil is starting to warm up, and signs of new growth are popping up everywhere. But before you get too excited and start planting everything in sight, remember…March is a transition month. One day it feels like spring, and the next, a late frost reminds you that winter isn’t quite done yet.

That’s why March is all about preparation. It’s the perfect time to start seeds, clean up garden beds, prune fruit trees, and get a jumpstart on cool-season crops. A well-planned March gardening to-do list will help you stay focused so you can make the most of this exciting time of year.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the most important tasks for your March garden, from prepping your soil to protecting plants from unpredictable weather. Let’s get your garden ready for a thriving season ahead!

I’ve created a free printable version of this checklist for you. You can grab a copy of it here.

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Why March is an Important Month in the Garden

March is when everything starts shifting from winter dormancy to active growth, making it a pivotal month in the garden. The days are getting longer, the soil is slowly warming up, and some plants are beginning to wake up. But March can also be unpredictable. One day might feel like spring, and the next, a surprise frost could set everything back.

This is why March is a month of balance. It’s about preparing your garden for the growing season ahead while still being cautious of lingering cold snaps. If you jump into planting too soon, your seeds or seedlings might struggle in cold, wet soil. But if you wait too long to start planning and prepping, you could find yourself scrambling when spring really kicks into gear.

The good news? With the right game plan, you can make the most of this transition period and set yourself up for success. Whether it’s testing and amending your soil, starting seeds, or protecting plants from late frosts, the tasks you complete in March will lay the foundation for a thriving garden all season long.

March Garden: Planning and Preparation

Before you start planting, it’s time to make a game plan. A little bit of planning now can save you a ton of frustration later in the season. March is the perfect time to take a step back, review last year’s successes (and failures), and map out a strategy for this year’s garden.

Review Last Year’s Garden

Think back to last season—what worked? What didn’t? If you had pest problems, disease issues, or plants that struggled, now is the time to make adjustments. Crop rotation in your vegetable garden is a simple but effective way to prevent soil-borne diseases and keep your plants healthier. If you grew tomatoes in one spot last year, move them to a different area this season.

Plan Crop Rotation and Companion Planting

Crop rotation isn’t just for large farms—it’s just as important in backyard gardens. Repeating the same crops in the same spot year after year depletes nutrients and increases the risk of pests and disease. Try rotating plant families to give your soil a break. And while you’re at it, look into companion planting! Some plants, like basil and tomatoes, thrive when grown together, while others—like onions and beans—are better kept apart.

Inventory Seeds and Supplies

There’s nothing worse than getting ready to plant, only to realize you’re out of seeds or missing a key gardening tool. Go through your seed stash, check expiration dates, and make a list of anything you need to order. Popular seeds sell out quickly in early spring, so don’t wait too long! While you’re at it, check your gardening supplies—do you have enough potting soil, plant markers, and seed trays? A quick inventory now will save you from last-minute scrambling later.

Set Up a Gardening Calendar

If you haven’t already, now is the time to start tracking important gardening dates. When is your last expected frost date? Which plants should you start indoors, and when should they go outside? A simple gardening journal or planner can help you stay organized so you’re always planting at the right time.

March is your chance to set the stage for a productive gardening season. Taking the time to plan, organize, and prepare now will make everything easier as the season unfolds. With a solid plan in place, you’ll be ready to move on to the next big step—getting your soil in top shape!

March Gardening: Soil Preparation

Healthy plants start with healthy soil, and March is the perfect time to give your soil some love before planting season kicks into full gear. After months of winter weather, your garden beds need a little TLC to get them ready for new growth. Taking the time now to test, amend, and prepare your soil will make a huge difference in your garden’s success this season.

Test and Amend Your Soil

Before you start adding fertilizers or amendments, it’s a good idea to test your soil to see what it actually needs. A simple soil test kit or a test through your local extension office will tell you your soil’s pH and nutrient levels. This helps you make informed decisions instead of just guessing.

• If your soil is too acidic (low pH), adding lime can help balance it.
• If your soil is too alkaline (high pH), sulfur can lower it.
• If your soil is lacking nutrients, compost, aged manure, or an organic balanced fertilizer can give it a boost.

Once you know what your soil needs, mix in organic matter like compost or aged manure to improve structure, boost fertility, and encourage beneficial soil life.

Clear Debris and Weeds

Winter can leave your garden beds a little messy, with dead plant material, weeds, and leftover mulch from last season. Clearing this out now helps prevent pests and diseases from taking hold before you even start planting.

• Remove any dead plant material to avoid carrying over diseases from last year.
• Pull weeds early—they’re much easier to remove before they take root and spread.
• Check for overwintering pests, like aphid eggs or beetle larvae hiding in old leaves and stems.

Once your beds are cleared, give the soil a gentle turning with a garden fork to loosen compacted areas and improve drainage.

Apply Mulch

Mulching isn’t just for summer! A fresh layer of mulch in March can help insulate the soil, retain moisture, and suppress early weed growth. Organic mulches like shredded leaves, straw, or bark will slowly break down over time, adding nutrients back into the soil.

For best results:

• Apply mulch after planting in beds to keep moisture in and weeds out.
• Keep mulch a few inches away from plant stems to prevent rot and pest issues.
• Use lighter mulch (like straw or shredded leaves) for vegetable gardens and heavier mulch (like bark) around trees and shrubs.

Prepping your soil now sets the foundation for strong, healthy plants all season long. Taking the time to test, amend, and clear your beds will make planting easier and give your plants the best possible start. Once your soil is in top shape, it’s time for the fun part, planting!

What to Plant in March?

March is when things really start getting exciting! Depending on your frost date and your growing zone, you can finally begin planting some crops outdoors while starting warm season plants indoors. But timing is everything. Plant too early, and your seeds might not germinate in cold soil. Wait too long, and you could miss your window for cool season crops.

To help you stay on track, here’s a breakdown of what you can possibly plant in March, depending on your local climate and spring weather:

Vegetables to Direct Sow Outdoors

March is the perfect time to plant hardy, cool-season crops that thrive in chilly temperatures and moist soil. These crops can handle light frosts and will germinate in cooler conditions:

• Peas – A must-have for early spring! They love cool weather and can be planted as soon as the soil is workable.
• Spinach – Thrives in the cooler days of early spring. Once the heat of summer arrives, it bolts quickly, so get it in the ground while temps are cool.
• Lettuce – One of the easiest crops to grow. Try succession planting (sowing a little at a time) for a continuous harvest. (Tip – for more about succession planting and how to increase your harvests in less space, you may love my Succession Planting Chart and Cheat Sheet)
• Radishes – Fast-growing and perfect for early spring. Some varieties mature in just 3-4 weeks!
• Carrots – While slow to germinate, carrots love cool, moist conditions, making March an ideal time to sow them.

Tip: Before planting, check your soil temperature. Most cool season crops need it to be at least 40-50°F (4-10°C) for good germination.

Vegetables to Start Indoors

While cool season crops can go directly in the ground, warm season crops need an early start indoors so they’re strong and ready for transplanting when the weather warms up. If you haven’t already, now is the best time to start these seeds:

• Tomatoes – March is prime time to start tomato seeds indoors so they’re ready for transplanting in late spring.
• Peppers – These heat-loving plants need plenty of time to grow before moving outside. Start them 8-10 weeks before your last frost.
• Eggplants – Another warm-weather crop that benefits from an early indoor start.
• Brassicas (Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage) – These can be started indoors and transplanted outside in early spring once they’ve grown strong enough.

Tip: Use a seedling heat mat to speed up germination for warm-season crops, and a grow light to prevent seedlings from getting leggy.

Flowers to Plant in March

March isn’t just about vegetables. It’s also a great time to plant cold hardy flowers that can handle chilly nights and unpredictable weather.

• Hardy Annuals: Pansies, violas, and snapdragons can go in the ground now and will thrive in cooler temps.
• Spring Bulbs: If you forgot to plant daffodils or tulips last fall, you might still get away with planting them now. Just don’t expect them to bloom until next year.
• Herbs: Chives, thyme, and cilantro are early-season favorites that do well in cooler temperatures and can even tolerate light frosts.

March is the month when the gardening season really begins. Whether you’re direct sowing cold-hardy crops, starting warm-season plants indoors, or adding a splash of early-season flowers to your garden, getting plants going now will set you up for success later in the season.

March Gardening: Pruning and Maintenance Tasks

March is the perfect time to prune, divide, and clean up your garden before the growing season kicks into high gear. Proper pruning encourages healthy growth, better blooms, and stronger plants, while regular maintenance keeps everything looking neat and thriving.

Prune Trees & Shrubs

Late winter and early spring are ideal for pruning because most plants are still dormant. This makes it easier to shape trees and shrubs without stressing them.

• Fruit Trees – Prune apple, pear, and stone fruit trees to remove dead or diseased branches and improve air circulation.
• Deciduous Trees & Shrubs – Shape trees like maples and oaks before new leaves emerge.
• Roses – Trim back hybrid teas and climbing roses to encourage stronger stems and more flowers later in the season.
• Ornamental Grasses – Cut back last year’s growth before new shoots appear.

Tip: Always use sharp, clean pruning shears to avoid spreading disease, and prune just above an outward-facing bud to promote outward growth.

Divide & Transplant Perennials

If your herbaceous perennials (like hostas, daylilies, or ornamental grasses) are overcrowded, now is the time to divide them. This helps prevent competition for nutrients and encourages better flowering.

• Dig up the plant carefully and split the root ball into sections using a sharp spade or garden knife.
• Replant divisions immediately in well-prepared soil, watering them deeply.
• This is also a great time to move any plants that are in the wrong spot before their active growth begins.

Good candidates for division: Daylilies, hostas, coneflowers, asters, black-eyed Susans, and ornamental grasses.

Inspect & Clean Garden Tools

Your tools have probably been sitting in the shed all winter, so before you start using them:

• Sharpen pruners, loppers, and shears to make clean cuts (dull blades crush stems instead of cutting).
• Clean off rust and dirt with a wire brush or sandpaper.
• Sanitize tools with a diluted bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water) to prevent spreading plant diseases.

Bonus Tip: Give wooden tool handles a quick rub with linseed oil to prevent cracking and splintering.

A little pruning and maintenance in March goes a long way! Taking the time to trim, divide, and clean up now will set your garden up for healthier growth, better blooms, and a more manageable growing season.

March Gardening: Lawn Care

March is the month when your lawn starts shaking off winter dormancy and gearing up for a new growing season. But before it turns into a lush, green carpet, it needs a little help! A few simple early spring lawn care tasks can make all the difference in how your grass looks and performs throughout the year.

Rake & Aerate Your Lawn

After months of cold, wet weather, your lawn may be covered in thatch, dead grass, and leftover fall leaves. Raking it out now allows air, sunlight, and water to reach the soil, helping new growth emerge.

• Use a leaf rake or dethatching rake to remove built-up debris.
• If you have compacted soil, aerate your lawn to improve drainage and allow nutrients to penetrate more easily.
• Avoid raking too aggressively, especially if the grass is still dormant, as this can damage delicate new shoots.

Tip: If you’re unsure whether your lawn needs aeration, do the screwdriver test—try pushing a screwdriver into the soil. If it’s difficult, your lawn could benefit from aeration!

Overseed Bare Patches

Cold weather and heavy foot traffic can leave your lawn with bare or thin spots. Now is the time to overseed and fill in those gaps before weeds take over.

• Choose a cool-season grass mix suited to your region.
• Loosen the soil in bare spots with a rake, sprinkle high-quality grass seed, and press it down gently for good seed-to-soil contact.
• Keep the area evenly moist until new grass is established.

Tip: If you plan to apply a pre-emergent herbicide, overseeding should be done first—otherwise, the herbicide may prevent your grass seeds from sprouting.

Apply Pre-Emergent Herbicide (If Needed)

Weeds like crabgrass and dandelions start germinating in early spring, so March or April is the best time to stop them before they spread. A pre-emergent herbicide forms a barrier in the soil that prevents weed seeds from sprouting.

• Apply before soil temperatures reach 55°F (which is when crabgrass starts germinating).
• Water it in lightly to activate it.
• Avoid disturbing the soil too much afterward, as this can break the barrier and reduce effectiveness.

Organic Option: Corn gluten meal is a natural pre-emergent that can help reduce weed seed germination while adding nitrogen to your lawn.

A little effort in March sets your lawn up for a healthy, green season ahead. By raking, aerating, overseeding, and preventing weeds, you’re giving your grass everything it needs to thrive.

Note – Don’t forget to get your free printable copy of the March Gardening To Do List!

March Garden: Protecting Plants from Late Frosts

March can be tricky—one day it feels like spring, and the next, temperatures drop below freezing. Late frosts are one of the biggest challenges for early-season gardeners, but with the right strategies, you can keep your plants safe and thriving.

Use Row Covers, Cloches, or Frost Blankets

One of the best ways to protect your plants from cold snaps is by covering them when temperatures dip.

• Row Covers & Frost Blankets – Lightweight fabric that traps heat and keeps plants 4-8°F warmer. Ideal for covering raised beds or rows of crops overnight.
• Cloches – Small, dome-shaped covers (like upside-down jars or plastic bottles) that protect individual plants from frost.
• Cold Frames – A more permanent solution that acts like a mini greenhouse to insulate plants.

📌 Tip: Cover plants before sunset to trap warmth from the day, and remove covers in the morning to prevent overheating.

Mulch to Insulate Soil & Roots

Mulching does more than suppress weeds—it also helps regulate soil temperature and protect roots from sudden cold snaps.

• Use straw, shredded leaves, or bark mulch to create a protective barrier around tender plants.
• A 2-3 inch layer of mulch helps retain warmth and prevents temperature fluctuations.
• For extra protection, mound mulch around the base of new transplants to insulate roots.

📌 Bonus Tip: If you’re growing in containers, move pots close to a house wall or wrap them in burlap for added warmth.

Check Long-Range Weather Forecasts

Keeping an eye on the weather is one of the easiest ways to stay ahead of frosts.

• Use a soil thermometer to check soil temperatures before planting sensitive crops.
• If a hard freeze is expected, delay planting or take extra precautions to protect young plants.
• For borderline frosty nights, watering the soil in the evening can help insulate plant roots (moist soil holds heat better than dry soil).

Late frosts can be frustrating, but with a little preparation, you can keep your plants safe and give them a strong start to spring. Simple steps like covering plants, adding mulch, and watching the forecast can make all the difference!

Common Mistakes to Avoid in March Gardening

Even the most experienced gardeners make mistakes in early spring! March is an exciting month, but if you rush into things too quickly or skip essential prep work, you could set yourself up for frustration later in the season. Let’s go over some of the most common mistakes gardeners make in March—and how to avoid them.

Planting Too Soon

It’s tempting to start planting the second the sun starts shining, but not all crops are ready for the ground just yet. If the soil is still too cold, seeds won’t germinate properly, and tender seedlings may struggle.

• Use a soil thermometer to check soil temperature before planting. Most cool-season crops need at least 40-50°F to germinate.
• Know your last frost date! Just because stores are selling tomato plants doesn’t mean it’s safe to plant them yet.

Tip: If you’re eager to start, stick to cold-hardy crops like peas, spinach, and lettuce, which can handle chilly temperatures.

Skipping Soil Preparation

Your soil has been sitting all winter, and it needs some attention before you start planting. Many gardeners skip this step, only to wonder later why their plants aren’t thriving.

• Test your soil so you know what amendments are needed.
• Mix in compost or organic matter to refresh nutrients and improve soil structure.
• Remove leftover debris and weeds to reduce pest and disease risks.

Tip: A quick soil test from your local extension office can save you a lot of guesswork when it comes to fertilizers and amendments.

Neglecting Frost Protection

March weather can be wildly unpredictable, and a sudden frost can wipe out young plants overnight.

• Keep row covers, frost blankets, or cloches on hand to protect tender plants.
• Mulch around seedlings to insulate roots from sudden temperature drops.
• Check weather forecasts regularly so you’re not caught off guard.

Tip: If you’re growing in containers, move pots inside or close to a house wall on cold nights for extra protection.

Overwatering or Underwatering

Early spring conditions vary dramatically, which makes watering tricky.

• Too much water? Cold, soggy soil leads to root rot and fungal diseases.
• Too little water? Dry spring winds and warming temps can stress young plants.

📌 Solution: Stick your finger an inch into the soil—if it’s dry, it’s time to water; if it’s damp, hold off.

Avoiding these common mistakes will save you time, effort, and disappointment later in the season. Taking a little extra time to wait for the right planting conditions, prep your soil, and protect your plants from frost will set you up for a thriving, stress-free garden this spring.

March Gardening: Planning Ahead for the Growing Season

March isn’t just about what you can do right now—it’s also the perfect time to set yourself up for success in the months ahead. With a little planning and preparation, you can make sure your garden is ready for a productive and stress-free growing season.

Start Composting

If you’re not already composting, now is a great time to start! A compost pile is one of the best ways to build nutrient-rich soil while reducing waste.

• Add a mix of green materials (fruit and veggie scraps, grass clippings) and brown materials (dry leaves, shredded newspaper) to create a balanced compost.
• Turn your compost pile every few weeks to keep it aerated and speed up decomposition.
• If you don’t have space for a compost pile, consider a compost bin or worm composting system. Perfect for small spaces!

Tip: Composting is an easy, organic way to boost your garden’s fertility while cutting down on waste.

Set Up Trellises & Supports Now

If you plan on growing climbing plants like peas, beans, cucumbers, or tomatoes, now is the time to get your trellises and supports in place.

• Setting up trellises before planting prevents damaging delicate roots later.
• Vertical gardening saves space and helps improve airflow, reducing disease risks.
• Use sturdy materials like wood, cattle panels, or metal stakes for long-term durability.

Bonus Tip: If you’re growing tomatoes, install cages or stakes now so you don’t have to wrestle with overgrown plants later!

Prep Pest Control Strategies

Don’t wait until pests become a problem. Get ahead of them by putting natural prevention methods in place now.

• Companion planting – Grow pest-repelling plants like marigolds (great for deterring aphids) and basil (which helps repel mosquitoes and flies).
• Encourage beneficial insects – Ladybugs, lacewings, and praying mantises help keep garden pests in check.
• Use row covers – If cabbage worms or flea beetles are a problem in your area, cover brassicas early to prevent infestations.

Tip: A little preventative planning now will save you a lot of frustration later in the season!

March is an excellent time to think beyond just this month and put systems in place for a smooth and productive growing season. By starting a compost pile, setting up trellises, and preparing for pest control, you’re giving yourself a head start on a healthy, thriving garden.

Final Thoughts

March is such an exciting time in the garden! With winter fading and spring just around the corner, every task you complete now brings you one step closer to a thriving, productive garden. From preparing your soil and pruning fruit trees to starting seeds and protecting young plants from frost, there’s plenty to keep you busy this month!

Taking the time to plan ahead and tackle these essential tasks now will set you up for success all season long. And remember, gardening is a journey—even small efforts make a big impact over time!

What’s Next?

I’d love to hear from you! What are you planting this month? Drop a comment below and let’s chat about your March garden plans.

Want to stay organized? Download my FREE printable March Gardening Checklist to keep track of everything you need to do this month!

🌱 More Gardening To-Do Lists:

• January Gardening Checklist
• February Gardening Checklist

Happy growing! And here’s to a strong start to the growing season!

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