What to Plant in March: Zone 7 Vegetable Garden Guide
March in Zone 7 is prime planting time. The soil is warming, frost risk is dropping, and you can get cool-season crops in the ground while starting warm-season seeds indoors.
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Quick Answer
In Zone 7, March is for planting cold-hardy crops outdoors (peas, lettuce, spinach, onions) and starting warm-season seeds indoors (tomatoes, peppers, squash). Your last frost is typically mid-April, so hold off on tender transplants until then.
Zone 7 March Overview
| Week | Outdoors | Indoors |
|---|---|---|
| Early March | Peas, spinach, onion sets | Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant |
| Mid March | Lettuce, kale, carrots, beets | Squash, cucumbers, melons |
| Late March | Potatoes, more lettuce succession | Basil, flowers |
Last frost date: April 15 (average for Zone 7) Soil temp in March: 40-55°F
Plant Outdoors Now
These crops handle frost and cool soil:
Direct Sow
- Peas — Plant as soon as soil is workable. They love cool weather.
- Spinach — Direct sow every 2 weeks for continuous harvest.
- Lettuce — Start early March, succession plant through April.
- Carrots — Sow mid-March. Takes 2-3 weeks to germinate in cool soil.
- Beets — Sow mid-March. Soak seeds overnight for faster germination.
- Radishes — Fast crop (30 days). Plant every 2 weeks.
- Arugula — Direct sow, harvest in 4-6 weeks.
Transplant
- Onion sets/transplants — Plant early March, 4" apart.
- Garlic — If you didn't plant in fall, plant now (smaller bulbs but still worth it).
- Kale/collards — Transplant seedlings mid-March.
- Broccoli/cabbage — Transplant mid-March under row cover if cold.
Start Indoors Now
These need 6-8 weeks indoors before transplanting after last frost:
Early March (8 weeks before last frost)
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Eggplant
Mid-Late March (6 weeks before last frost)
- Squash (summer and winter)
- Cucumbers
- Melons
- Basil
Indoor seed starting tips:
- Use seed starting mix, not garden soil
- Provide 12-16 hours of light (grow lights or sunny window)
- Keep soil moist but not soggy
- Harden off seedlings for 1 week before transplanting
Wait Until April
Don't plant these outdoors yet—they'll die in frost:
- Tomato transplants
- Pepper transplants
- Beans (direct sow after last frost)
- Corn (needs 60°F soil)
- Squash transplants
- Cucumber transplants
- Basil transplants
Target outdoor planting: After April 15 (or when soil hits 60°F)
March Tasks Checklist
Week 1:
- Test soil temperature (40°F minimum for peas)
- Plant peas, spinach, onion sets
- Start tomatoes and peppers indoors
Week 2:
- Direct sow lettuce, carrots, beets
- Transplant kale, broccoli, cabbage
- Start squash and cucumbers indoors
Week 3:
- Succession plant lettuce and radishes
- Plant potatoes (St. Patrick's Day tradition)
- Start basil indoors
Week 4:
- Check on indoor seedlings (thin if needed)
- Prepare beds for April transplants
- Add compost to warm-season beds
Frost Protection
March in Zone 7 still brings frost. Protect tender seedlings:
- Row cover: Adds 4-8°F protection
- Cold frame: Extends season by weeks
- Wall o' Water: For early tomato transplants
- Mulch: Insulates soil, protects roots
Check forecast nightly. Cover crops if temps drop below 28°F.
Sample March Planting Plan (4×8 Bed)
┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Peas (trellised) │ North side
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Spinach │ Lettuce │ Lettuce │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Carrots │ Beets │ Radishes │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Onions │ Onions │ Kale │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘
This bed will be harvested by June, ready for summer crops.
Get Your Custom March Plan
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- Your exact zone and frost dates
- Your bed size and layout
- What you want to grow
- Succession planting for continuous harvest
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