March in Zone 2
March in Zone 2 (last frost late may – early june, first frost mid august – early september). There are 3 crops to sow, transplant, or harvest this month.
Quick answer · Updated October 2026
In March, Zone 2 gardeners can plant Celery, Petunias, and Impatiens. Zone 2's last frost is around Late May – early June and first frost around Mid August – early September — the full task list below has exact timing for each crop.
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- Min Winter Temp
- -50 to -40 °F / -46 to -40 °C
- Last Spring Frost
- Late May – early June
- First Fall Frost
- Mid August – early September
- Growing Season
- 75–100 days
- Annual Rainfall
- 12–25 in
Gardening in March in Zone 2
March is the depth of winter in Zone 2. With the last spring frost not due until around Late May – early June, the garden is dormant and the real work is planning — ordering seeds, sketching beds, and starting only the longest-season crops indoors.
The planting focus in Zone 2 this month is Celery, Petunias, and Impatiens — see the task cards below for exactly how and when to sow each in your conditions.
About March in the garden
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 2 last frost
- Late May – early June
- Zone 2 first frost
- Mid August – early September
3
Sow indoors
0
Sow outdoors
0
Transplant
0
Harvest
1
Maintenance
🌱 Sow indoors
Start these indoors
Get a jump on the season under lights or on a sunny windowsill so transplants are ready when the weather warms.
Sow seed on the surface or barely covered. Germinates in 14–21 days (slow; needs light).
Sow Surface-sow — dust-fine seed needs light to germinate. Germinates in 7–14 days at 70–75°f.
Sow Surface-sow — dust-fine seed needs light to germinate. Germinates in 14–21 days at 70–75°f.
🛠️ Maintenance
Plan, order seeds, and prep
The ground is cold or frozen — the perfect time for the indoor work that makes spring easier.
📌 Order seeds before favorites sell out, sketch next year's layout and rotations, sharpen and oil tools, and start onions/leeks late in the dormant season.
When to plant this month's crops in Zone 2
Full planting calendars — start indoors, transplant, and harvest timing — for the crops you're planting in March.
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 2: common questions
What can I plant in March in Zone 2?＋
In March, Zone 2 gardeners can sow or transplant Celery, Petunias, and Impatiens. March in Zone 2 (last frost late may – early june, first frost mid august – early september). There are 3 crops to sow, transplant, or harvest this month.
When is the last and first frost in Zone 2?＋
Zone 2 typically has its last spring frost around Late May – early June and its first fall frost around Mid August – early September, giving a growing season of roughly 75–100 days. Always check a local frost-date source, since microclimates vary.
What garden jobs matter most in March in Zone 2?＋
Focus on 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. Watch out for frost is still possible in most zones through march; protect transplants.