What to Plant in March in Southern California
As the winter chill slowly gives way to the warmth of spring, the month of March marks the true beginning of the growing season n Southern California, where the weather is known for its sunshine and mild temperatures. March is a particularly exciting time for gardeners with its longer days and milder weather, this month presents the perfect opportunity to get your hands dirty and start planting. So if you're looking for what to plant in March in Southern California, look no further!
We have had some crazy weather conditions in recent weeks, even SNOW in Orange County which is a rarety at such a low elevation, and my seedlings have been roughing it in the greenhouse.
Hopefully, everything pulls through and does well this season since the tomatoes need to be transplanted out in the garden in just a few weeks so they can establish healthy root systems before the weather gets hot.
Either way, this month is an exciting time of year, even if it is a busy time in the garden. There's tons to do, like topping up mulch and compost, pruning perennials (especially fruit trees) like apricots, apples, plums, and peaches, before they start showing signs of waking.
Feeding citrus trees and berry plants like blackberry, strawberry, and raspberry is also super important this time of year and should be done before the end of the month.
I like to use Alaskan fish emulsion and Berry-Tone.
Having a checklist to keep you on track will be a must in the coming season.
So, without further ado, let's dive in!
What Vegetables to Plant in March
Since the weather this year has been really unpredictable and exceedingly cold at night for most warm-weather crops, I still have not transplanted any of my seedlings into the garden.
Normally, when the weather is behaving, you would be succession planting your favorite crops this month, so if you did get seedlings outside last month, this is your queue to start more seeds.
I will be starting heat-tolerant varieties of tomatoes like Jolene and Grand Marshall to ensure that I get tomatoes when the temperatures really start to rise.
Other heat-tolerant veggies I'm interested in trying this year include Green Magic broccoli, summer mizuna, and Song cauliflower.
Vegetables to plant in March in Southern California:
- Artichoke
- Arugula **
- Beets **
- Bok choi/Pak choi **
- Broccoli **
- Cabbage **
- Carrots**
- Cauliflower **
- Celery
- Collard greens **
- Cucumber
- Eggplant (keep it in a greenhouse until the days get warmer)
- Endive **
- Fava beans **
- Fennel
- Green onions **
- Kale
- Kohlrabi **
- Leeks
- Lettuce **
- Medium-day Onions
- Mustard greens **
- Parsnips
- Peas **
- Potatoes
- Pumpkin (keep these starts warm in the greenhouse until temps get warmer)
- Radish **
- Salad greens **
- Spinach **
- Squash (summer and winter - keep them warm in a greenhouse until temps rise)
- Swiss chard
- Turnips
** means that you can succession sow these varieties.
Warm-weather crops like corn, melons, beans, and peppers can be started, but keep them safe in a greenhouse until temperatures rise a bit more at night before transplanting.
What Flowers to Plant in March
March is a fantastic month to transition from cool-season flowers to warm-season pollinators. Not only will a profusion of flowers add color and visual interest to your garden, they will also attract bees, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds to your garden, which is essential for a high yield of fruits and vegetables.
So, if you have ever noticed a lack of production in the garden, it could be that you need to add some attractive annuals or perennials for the bees in close proximity to those crops.
You will be surprised by the difference it makes! Plus, it's beautiful to look at.
Here are some popular varieties of flowers to plant in march in Southern California:
- Allysum
- Borage **
- Cornflower
- Cosmos
- Echinacea
- Flax **
- Four-o-clock
- Gomphrena
- Hollyhock
- Hyssop
- Milkweed
- Nasturtium
- Nigella
- Poppy
- Sage
- Strawflower **
- Sunflower **
- Sweet Peas **
- Yarrow
Hold off a bit longer on varieties that love hot weather, like zinnias and lisianthus, until the soil warms up a bit more.
What Herbs to Plant in March
Southern California provides ideal conditions for growing a variety of herbs all season long.
One of the best things about growing herbs is that they can be grown in a variety of different settings. Whether you have a spacious backyard, raised beds, or a small balcony with a few pots, there are many ways to incorporate herbs into your garden.
Not only are they delicious, they also provide protection from pests and food for beneficial pollinators.
So, if you haven't done so already, I highly encourage you to start adding herbs to your garden.
Some popular herbs that can be planted in March in Southern California include:
- Borage
- Catmint
- Catnip
- Chamomile
- Chives
- Cilantro **
- Comfrey
- Dill
- Feverfew
- Lavender
- Lemon balm
- Lemongrass
- Lemon Verbena
- Lovage
- Marjoram
- Mint
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Rosemary
- Savory
- Sorrel
- St. John's Wort
- Tarragon
- Thyme
If you start basil seeds, they must be kept warm in a greenhouse for another month before transplanting outside.
When planting herbs, may sure to choose a location that receives plenty of sunlight. Most herbs require at least six hours of direct sunlight daily to grow to their full potential.
Also, make sure to choose planting locations where the herbs will not overtake your garden beds unless you have plenty of room. If you lack space, try planting your herbs in large pots dotted around the garden. This is especially for varieties like mint which will take over an entire garden bed if you let it.
Frequently Asked Questions About What to Plant in March In Southern California
What to plant in march in southern California?
Here are some of the best plants to sow in March in Southern California:
- Asian greens like tatsoi, bok choi, and mizuna
- Beans
- Carrots
- Cucumbers
- Eggplant
- Flowers like cosmos, sunflowers, and nasturtium
- Herbs like chamomile, cilantro, parsley, and mint
- Lettuce and other salad greens like endive and arugula
- Peas
- Peppers
- Radishes
- Tomatoes
What to plant in march in california?
There is so much you can grow in March in California once the weather warms up. Be sure to check which growing zone you live in before beginning to ensure that your seedlings have the best chance possible.
Some of the plants you can grow in California in March include:
- Asian greens like tatsoi, bok choi, and mizuna
- Beans
- Carrots
- Cucumbers
- Eggplant
- Flowers like cosmos, sunflowers, and nasturtium
- Herbs like chamomile, cilantro, parsley, and mint
- Lettuce and other salad greens like endive and arugula
- Peas
- Peppers
- Radishes
- Tomatoes
What vegetables grow best in Southern California in March?
Southern California's mild climate makes it a great place to grow vegetables year-round. In March, many gardeners can plant various vegetables that thrive in warm, sunny weather.
Here are some of the best vegetables to plant in Southern California in March:
- Tomatoes - Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables to grow in Southern California, and March is the ideal time to plant them. Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil, and provide your plants with plenty of water and nutrients.
- Peppers - Like tomatoes, peppers thrive in warm, sunny conditions. Plant your pepper seeds in March for a summer harvest, and be sure to plant them in a sunny location.
- Cucumbers - Cucumbers do well in warm, sunny conditions, and can be planted in March for a summer harvest. Cucumbers do particularly well when trellised to help save space and prevent disease.
- Zucchini - Zucchini also does well in warm, sunny conditions, making them a great choice for March planting in Southern California. They even do well in pots!
- Beans - Beans are versatile and easy to grow. You can choose bush or pole varieties depending on space.
- Lettuce - Lettuce is a cool-season crop that can be planted all year round in Southern California. In warmer weather, choose a location with partial shade and well-draining soil, and be sure to keep your plants well-watered. Also look into more heat-tolerant varieties if you live more inland where the temperatures get really high in the summer.
What flowers can I plant in March in California?
You can plant the following flowers in March:
- Allysum
- Borage **
- Cornflower
- Cosmos
- Echinacea
- Flax **
- Four-o-clock
- Gomphrena
- Hollyhock
- Hyssop
- Milkweed
- Nasturtium
- Nigella
- Poppy
- Sage
- Strawflower **
- Sunflower **
- Sweet Peas **
- Yarrow
When should I start my garden in Southern California?
Southern California has a mild climate that allows for gardening year-round.
However, the best time to start a garden in SoCal depends on the specific vegetables, flowers, and herbs you want to grow.
Generally, the best time to start a vegetable garden in Southern California is in late winter or early spring, around February or March. This allows for cool-season crops like lettuce, peas, and broccoli to grow and mature before the heat of summer sets in.
For warm-season crops like tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers, the best time to start planting is in late spring, around April or May (though MANY locations can start much sooner depending on zone). This allows for the soil to warm up and for the weather to become more consistently warm and sunny.
The climate can vary greatly depending on your garden's specific location, so it's always a good idea to follow advice on your zone for best results.
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