What to plant in March — zone 9a
Zone 9a averages its last spring frost around February 28 and its first fall frost around December 5. Everything below is timed from those two dates, so it stays useful whether you're planting for summer or for a fall harvest.
Direct sow
- Bush beanaround Mar 7
Soil is ready 1 weeks after last frost.
- Cucumberaround Mar 7
Soil is ready 1 weeks after last frost.
- Zucchiniaround Mar 14
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Basilaround Mar 14
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Sweet cornaround Mar 14
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Winter squasharound Mar 14
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Basilaround Mar 14
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Watermelonaround Mar 14
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Cantaloupe / Melonaround Mar 14
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Bush beanaround Mar 14
Warm soil — first summer sowing of bush bean.
- Cucumberaround Mar 14
Warm soil — first summer sowing of cucumber.
- Zucchiniaround Mar 14
Warm soil — first summer sowing of zucchini.
- Sweet cornaround Mar 14
Warm soil — first summer sowing of sweet corn.
- Basilaround Mar 14
Warm soil — first summer sowing of basil.
- Winter squasharound Mar 21
Warm soil — first summer sowing of winter squash.
- Beetaround Mar 28
Warm soil — first summer sowing of beet.
- Carrotaround Mar 28
Warm soil — first summer sowing of carrot.
Transplant out
- Tomatoaround Mar 14
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Bury 2/3 of the transplant stem — roots form along the buried stem for a stronger plant.
- Pepperaround Mar 14
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Pinch first flowers on transplants so the plant invests in roots before setting fruit.
- Cucumberaround Mar 14
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Trellis vertically to double yield in the same footprint and cut mildew.
- Zucchiniaround Mar 14
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. One plant feeds a family. Pick at 6-8 in for the sweetest fruit.
- Basilaround Mar 14
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Pinch tips weekly. Once flowers open, leaves lose flavor — snip them fast.
- Winter squasharound Mar 14
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Cure 10 days in a warm dry spot after harvest — the skin toughens and storage doubles.
- Basilaround Mar 14
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Pinch flower spikes the moment you see them — leaves stay sweet all season.
- Oreganoaround Mar 14
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Harvest just before flowering for the strongest flavor. Dries beautifully.
- Thymearound Mar 14
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Needs sharp drainage — plant in gravelly soil or a raised bed edge. Never wet feet.
- Rosemaryaround Mar 14
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. In zone 6 and below, grow in a pot and overwinter indoors near a south window.
- Sagearound Mar 14
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Prune hard in spring to prevent woody stems and keep the plant productive for 5+ years.
- Figaround Mar 14
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. In zone 6, grow in a pot and drag into a garage for winter. 'Chicago Hardy' takes zone 5 with mulch.
- Watermelonaround Mar 14
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Ripe = tendril nearest the fruit is brown and the ground spot has turned buttery yellow.
- Cantaloupe / Melonaround Mar 14
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Ripe fruit slips off the vine with a gentle tug — the smell alone tells you.
Garden care
- Mulch every bedaround Mar 21
3-4 in of straw or leaves now holds water, blocks weeds, and cools roots for the whole summer.
- Set up deep wateringaround Mar 28
Switch to fewer, longer soaks (1-1.5 in/week at the root) instead of daily sprinkles.
Succession sow
- Bush beanaround Mar 28
Sowing 2: replant every 14 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
- Sweet cornaround Mar 28
Sowing 2: replant every 14 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
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