Ah, March — that magical month when winter’s gray finally gives way to the first real whispers of spring. The days stretch a little longer, the soil softens underfoot, and I can practically smell the promise of a new growing season. Here in Zone 7, March is one of my favorite times of the year to get my hands dirty again — because it’s when the garden truly starts to wake up.
Of course, what you plant this month really depends on your own gardening style. Some folks chase color and fragrance; others go for practicality — veggies and herbs that’ll fill the kitchen later. Personally, I’ve always been a mix of both. I love a garden that feeds the soul and the table.
I’m writing this because over the years, I’ve learned (often the hard way!) what thrives in Zone 7’s unpredictable March weather — that awkward in-between time when it can be 70°F one afternoon and drop below freezing the next morning. Believe me, knowing what to plant now can make or break your spring garden.
So, whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been gardening for decades, this guide will walk you through the best flowers, vegetables, herbs, and perennials to plant in March in Zone 7 — plus practical tips, personal favorites, and expert insights to make this your most rewarding season yet.
🌻 Quick Reference: What to Plant in March in Zone 7
| Plant Name | Best For / Region | Height / Performance | Season / Time to Plant | Feature / Fragrance | Notes / Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spinach | Cool-season vegetable | 6–12 inches | Early March | Tender leaves, quick harvest | Sow directly; tolerates light frost |
| Lettuce (Romaine, Butterhead) | Salad lovers everywhere | 8–12 inches | Early–Mid March | Crisp, mild flavor | Prefers partial shade as temps rise |
| Broccoli | Early spring crop | 18–24 inches | Late Feb–Mid March | Earthy and hearty | Start indoors or transplant |
| Snap Peas | Vertical growers, small gardens | 3–5 feet | Early March | Sweet, edible pods | Needs trellis; harvest before heat arrives |
| Beets | Root crop enthusiasts | 8–10 inches | Early–Mid March | Colorful roots and greens | Sow every 2 weeks for staggered harvests |
| Carrots | Loose, well-drained soil | 8–12 inches | March | Sweet roots, orange hues | Keep soil moist for even germination |
| Potatoes | Main crop lovers | 12–24 inches | Mid–Late March | Starchy and reliable | Use seed potatoes; hill as they grow |
| Pansies & Violas | Early spring color | 6–10 inches | Early March | Fragrant, colorful faces | Great for borders and containers |
| Daffodils & Tulips | Early bloomers | 8–18 inches | Plant bulbs (if pre-chilled) | Bright and cheerful | Deer-resistant; naturalize well |
| Herbs (Parsley, Cilantro, Chives) | Cool-season herbs | 8–14 inches | Early–Mid March | Fragrant, flavorful | Great companions to spring veggies |
| Perennials (Daylilies, Coneflowers) | Long-term color | 1–3 feet | Late March | Bold blooms | Divide and replant now for strong summer growth |
🥬 1. Spinach – The Early Bird of Spring Greens
I always start my March garden with spinach. It’s one of those foolproof greens that doesn’t mind a bit of frost — in fact, it thrives in cool weather. A few years back, I sowed some ‘Bloomsdale Long Standing’ spinach right after a light snowfall melted. To my surprise, it sprouted strong and lush in just a couple of weeks.
Tip from experience: Keep your soil consistently moist, but not soggy. Mulch lightly to retain warmth during those chilly early March nights. Spinach bolts (goes to seed) quickly once the weather warms up, so get your harvests in before mid-May.
If you like growing kitchen staples, check out my related article on what to plant in February in Zone 7 — many early greens pair beautifully with March plantings.
🥕 2. Carrots – Sweet Rewards for Patient Gardeners
There’s something special about pulling your own carrots from the soil — the smell alone takes me back to childhood. In Zone 7, you can sow carrot seeds right into the garden in March. They’ll take a few weeks to germinate, especially in cool soil, but the results are worth it.
I prefer varieties like ‘Scarlet Nantes’ or ‘Bolero’ — short and sweet, perfect for my slightly clay-heavy soil.
Pro tip: Loosen your soil deeply before sowing. Carrots love space to stretch. And if you’re planting for continuous harvests, sow new rows every two weeks until early May.
🥦 3. Broccoli – A Reliable Cool-Season Performer
Broccoli is one of those veggies that thrives in the cool shoulder months. I usually start my seeds indoors around early February and transplant them into the garden by mid-March. They handle the mild chill beautifully and reward you with hearty heads before summer heat sets in.
I’ll never forget the first time I grew ‘Calabrese’ broccoli — it was so crisp and flavorful that store-bought just never compared afterward.
Tip: Watch out for cabbage worms. I use floating row covers until the plants are well-established. A sprinkle of crushed eggshells around the base also deters slugs.
🌱 4. Lettuce – Easy, Fast, and Fresh
Lettuce might just be the easiest crop to grow in March in Zone 7. It doesn’t ask for much — just cool temperatures and consistent moisture. I love growing a mix of romaine, butterhead, and leaf lettuces for a colorful salad garden.
One year, I even tucked lettuce seeds between my rows of onions — they shaded each other perfectly.
Quick tip: If temperatures suddenly spike, move container-grown lettuce to a shady spot to prevent it from turning bitter. A light row cover helps protect tender seedlings from those unpredictable March frosts.
🌸 5. Pansies and Violas – The Colorful Cold Lovers
When I see garden centers stocked with trays of pansies and violas, I know spring is here! These cheerful flowers can handle the cold and instantly brighten up any dull corner of the garden.
I often plant them in containers on my porch where I can enjoy their sweet scent up close. The cool thing about violas is they often reseed themselves, so you might see them pop up again next year.
My tip: Deadhead spent blooms regularly — it keeps them flowering longer into late spring.
🧄 6. Herbs That Love the Cool – Parsley, Chives, and Cilantro
March is prime time for cool-loving herbs in Zone 7. I always start parsley, chives, and cilantro outdoors around mid-March, once the soil can be worked. These herbs don’t just flavor your food — they attract beneficial pollinators too.
Cilantro, for example, grows beautifully until the weather gets hot. Then it bolts and produces coriander seeds — a win-win if you love spice blends!
Tip from my herb bed: Grow chives near carrots or tomatoes — their mild onion scent deters pests naturally.
For more herb timing tips, I’ve written a detailed post on what herbs to plant in early spring.
🥔 7. Potatoes – A Starchy Tradition
By mid-to-late March, I’m usually itching to plant potatoes. Zone 7’s mild soil temperature (around 50°F by then) is perfect for sprouting seed potatoes. I usually go for ‘Yukon Gold’ and ‘Red Pontiac’ — dependable and delicious.
I still remember my first potato harvest — I dug in and found more than 10 pounds from just a few seed pieces. There’s nothing like that moment of discovery!
Pro tip: Hill soil or compost around the plants as they grow — it prevents greening and increases your yield. And don’t forget to rotate your potato beds each year to avoid soil-borne diseases.
🌼 8. Daffodils and Tulips – Nature’s Early Cheerleaders
Even if you didn’t plant bulbs last fall, some garden centers sell pre-chilled bulbs you can tuck in the ground early this month. In my Zone 7 yard, daffodils start blooming in late March, announcing that spring has truly arrived.
I love combining early tulips and daffodils under deciduous trees — the sunlight reaches them before the leaves grow back, and they naturalize beautifully over time.
Note: If deer are a problem in your area, stick to daffodils; they’re toxic to browsing animals and will be left alone.
🌿 9. Beets – Colorful, Nutritious, and Easy to Grow
Beets are another March superstar. I love them because you can enjoy both the greens and the roots. ‘Chioggia’ beets, with their red-and-white stripes, are not only tasty but downright beautiful when sliced.
Plant beet seeds about ½ inch deep and keep the soil moist. You’ll start harvesting the greens in about 4 weeks and the roots in 8–10 weeks.
Tip: Thin seedlings early — beets need space to grow plump and round. Don’t toss the thinnings! They’re delicious sautéed or tossed in salads.
🌸 10. Perennials to Divide and Replant
March is also a perfect time to divide established perennials like daylilies, coneflowers, and hostas. I spend a few weekends doing just that — it’s almost meditative work, and it keeps my beds looking fresh and balanced.
Dividing perennials now gives them plenty of time to settle in before the summer heat. Just make sure to water them well for the first few weeks after replanting.
My trick: When replanting, mix in compost and a bit of bone meal to encourage strong root growth. I’ve noticed my coneflowers bloom more abundantly when I do this.
🌞 Expert Notes and Seasonal Advice for Zone 7 Gardeners
Here’s the thing about Zone 7 — it’s a balancing act. Our last frost date usually falls between April 10th and April 20th, but that doesn’t mean the cold can’t surprise us. I’ve had frosts as late as April 30th some years, so always keep an eye on the forecast.
A few practical rules I follow:
- Keep frost cloth handy for sudden cold snaps.
- Test your soil temperature — most cool-season crops like it above 40°F.
- Don’t rush to plant warm-weather veggies (like tomatoes or peppers) until late April or early May.
- Use row covers not just for warmth but to protect from pests.
And most importantly — don’t let early setbacks discourage you. Gardening in Zone 7 is about patience and rhythm. Every March, nature gives us another chance to try again.
🌺 My Favorite Planting Combos for March
Over the years, I’ve developed a few “winning combos” that both look great and grow well together:
- Spinach + Radishes + Carrots: These share similar needs and mature at different times, making for efficient use of space.
- Lettuce + Chives + Marigolds: The marigolds help deter aphids while chives discourage leaf pests.
- Pansies + Kale + Violas: This one’s purely aesthetic — rich greens and jewel-toned flowers make a stunning border in March sunlight.
🧠 Final Thoughts: Planting in March Feeds the Hope of Spring
Honestly, March in Zone 7 is one of my favorite gardening months because it feels like the start of something beautiful. The air smells fresh, the soil feels alive again, and every seed sown is a promise of life to come. Whether you’re growing salad greens or daffodils, you’re setting the stage for an abundant year.
So, don’t be afraid to get out there — even if the mornings are still chilly. Start small if you need to. A few pots of herbs, a raised bed of lettuce, or a border of pansies can make all the difference.
I hope this guide gives you confidence (and maybe a little inspiration) to dig in this March. If you enjoyed this, be sure to check out my seasonal planting guides — like what to plant in February in Zone 7 or how to prepare your soil for spring planting.
Thanks for reading, and happy gardening! 🌿
Believe me — there’s no better therapy than the feel of spring soil between your fingers.