March in Zone 6
March in Zone 6 (last frost mid april – early may, first frost mid october – early november). There are 18 crops to sow, transplant, or harvest this month.
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- Min Winter Temp
- -10 to 0 °F / -23 to -18 °C
- Last Spring Frost
- Mid April – early May
- First Fall Frost
- Mid October – early November
- Growing Season
- 180–210 days
- Annual Rainfall
- 30–55 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 6 last frost
- Mid April – early May
- Zone 6 first frost
- Mid October – early November
6
Sow indoors
9
Sow outdoors
3
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.
Tomatoes
Sow ¼ in deep in cell trays; keep at 70–75°F. Germinates in 7–10 days.
Tomatillos
Sow ¼ in deep at 70°F; treat like tomatoes.
Broccoli
Sow ¼ in deep; ready to transplant in 4–6 weeks at 4–5 in tall.
Cabbage
Sow ¼ in deep; harden off well before setting out.
Basil
Surface-sow under lights at 70°F; very frost-tender.
Marigolds
Sow ¼ in deep; quick and reliable from seed.
🌿 Sow outdoors
Sow these directly outdoors
Soil and weather are right to sow these straight into the garden where they will grow.
Peas
Sow 1 in deep, 2 in apart as soon as soil is workable; trellis tall types.
Lettuce
Surface-sow and barely cover; succession-sow every 2 weeks for a steady supply.
Spinach
Sow ½ in deep in cold soil; bolts fast once days lengthen and warm.
Radishes
Sow ½ in deep, thin to 1 in. Ready in just 3–4 weeks — great for kids and impatient gardeners.
Carrots
Sow ¼ in deep in loose, stone-free soil; keep surface moist until sprouts appear (2–3 weeks).
Beets
Sow ½ in deep; each "seed" is a cluster, so thin to 3 in. Eat the thinnings as greens.
Kale & collards
Sow ¼ in deep or transplant; extremely cold-hardy.
Cilantro
Sow ½ in deep; succession-sow — it bolts quickly in heat.
Sweet peas
Soak seed, sow 1 in deep in cool soil, and give them something to climb.
🪴 Transplant
Transplant these into the garden
Move hardened-off seedlings into their final beds.
Broccoli
Transplant while still cool; space 18 in apart. Heat ruins the heads.
Cabbage
Transplant 12–18 in apart into firm soil while weather is still cool.
Onions
Set out pencil-thick seedlings (or sets) 4 in apart as soon as soil is workable.
🛠️ Maintenance
Harden off and prep beds
Zone 6's last frost lands around now (Mid April – early May).
📌 Harden off indoor seedlings over 7–10 days, work compost into beds, and keep frost cloth handy for surprise late freezes.
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 6: common questions
What can I plant in March in Zone 6?＋
In March, Zone 6 gardeners can sow or transplant Tomatoes, Tomatillos, Broccoli, Cabbage, Basil, Marigolds, Peas, and Lettuce. March in Zone 6 (last frost mid april – early may, first frost mid october – early november). There are 18 crops to sow, transplant, or harvest this month.
When is the last and first frost in Zone 6?＋
Zone 6 typically has its last spring frost around Mid April – early May and its first fall frost around Mid October – early November, giving a growing season of roughly 180–210 days. Always check a local frost-date source, since microclimates vary.
What garden jobs matter most in March in Zone 6?＋
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.