Early spring bulbs pushing through soil
spring

March in Zone 11

March in Zone 11 (last frost none, first frost none). There are 2 crops to sow, transplant, or harvest this month.

Jump to another month

Min Winter Temp
40 to 50 °F / 4 to 10 °C
Last Spring Frost
None
First Fall Frost
None
Growing Season
Year-round (365 days)
Annual Rainfall
20–80 in

March overview

March is the month of transition. Cold-zone gardeners begin direct sowing the hardiest crops; warm-zone gardeners are in full spring planting mode. Spring equinox brings equal day and night, and soil temperatures begin to rise significantly.

Direct sowing peas, spinach, and lettuce in cold zones; transplanting tomatoes and peppers in Zone 9–10; pruning and dividing perennials; preparing beds.

Season
spring
Temperature trend
Rapidly warming in most regions; significant week-to-week temperature changes.
Daylight
Spring equinox (around March 20); days and nights are equal length, then days lengthen rapidly.
Zone 11 last frost
None
Zone 11 first frost
None

0

Sow indoors

0

Sow outdoors

0

Transplant

2

Harvest

1

Maintenance

🧺 Harvest

Harvest

Harvest these now

These crops are coming ripe — pick regularly to keep plants productive.

Peas

Peas

Pick snap/snow pods young; shell peas when pods are plump.

Kale & collards

Kale & collards

Pick lower leaves and let the plant keep growing from the top.

🛠️ Maintenance

Maintenance

Keep the garden growing

Mid-season upkeep keeps plants healthy and productive.

📌 Water deeply and less often, mulch to hold moisture, side-dress heavy feeders, scout for pests, and succession-sow quick crops.

General March tasks

These apply broadly regardless of zone — a useful checklist alongside the zone-specific tasks above.

  • Direct sow peas, spinach, and lettuce outdoors once soil is workable
  • Start cucumbers, melons, and squash indoors (3–4 weeks before last frost)
  • Divide and transplant summer-blooming perennials
  • Apply compost or aged manure to vegetable beds
  • Plant shallots, onion sets, and bare-root strawberries
  • Set up cold frames and row covers for early crops
  • Begin hardening off seedlings started indoors
  • Plant cool-season annuals: pansies, snapdragons

⚠ Watch-outs for March

  • Frost is still possible in most zones through March; protect transplants
  • Soil may still be too wet and cold for many seeds — test by squeezing a handful
  • Late snowfall can flatten young seedlings outdoors; have covers ready
  • Slugs and snails become active early in spring; set bait or traps

March in Zone 11: common questions

What can I plant in March in Zone 11?

March is mainly a planning and preparation month in Zone 11 — the ground is typically too cold for sowing outdoors. Order seeds, start onions and leeks indoors, and prepare beds for the season ahead.

When is the last and first frost in Zone 11?

Zone 11 typically has its last spring frost around None and its first fall frost around None, giving a growing season of roughly 365–365 days. Always check a local frost-date source, since microclimates vary.

What's ready to harvest in March in Zone 11?

In March, Zone 11 gardeners are typically harvesting Peas and Kale & collards. Pick regularly — frequent harvesting keeps most crops producing longer.