What to plant in March — zone 9b
Zone 9b averages its last spring frost around February 15 and its first fall frost around December 15. Everything below is timed from those two dates, so it stays useful whether you're planting for summer or for a fall harvest.
Transplant out
- Tomatoaround Mar 1
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 1
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 1
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Trellis vertically to double yield in the same footprint and cut mildew.
- Zucchiniaround Mar 1
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 1
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Pinch tips weekly. Once flowers open, leaves lose flavor — snip them fast.
- Winter squasharound Mar 1
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 1
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Pinch flower spikes the moment you see them — leaves stay sweet all season.
- Oreganoaround Mar 1
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Harvest just before flowering for the strongest flavor. Dries beautifully.
- Thymearound Mar 1
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 1
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 1
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 1
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 1
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 1
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Ripe fruit slips off the vine with a gentle tug — the smell alone tells you.
Direct sow
- Zucchiniaround Mar 1
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Basilaround Mar 1
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Sweet cornaround Mar 1
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Winter squasharound Mar 1
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Basilaround Mar 1
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Watermelonaround Mar 1
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Cantaloupe / Melonaround Mar 1
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Bush beanaround Mar 1
Warm soil — first summer sowing of bush bean.
- Cucumberaround Mar 1
Warm soil — first summer sowing of cucumber.
- Zucchiniaround Mar 1
Warm soil — first summer sowing of zucchini.
- Sweet cornaround Mar 1
Warm soil — first summer sowing of sweet corn.
- Basilaround Mar 1
Warm soil — first summer sowing of basil.
- Winter squasharound Mar 8
Warm soil — first summer sowing of winter squash.
- Beetaround Mar 15
Warm soil — first summer sowing of beet.
- Carrotaround Mar 15
Warm soil — first summer sowing of carrot.
Garden care
- Mulch every bedaround Mar 8
3-4 in of straw or leaves now holds water, blocks weeds, and cools roots for the whole summer.
- Set up deep wateringaround Mar 15
Switch to fewer, longer soaks (1-1.5 in/week at the root) instead of daily sprinkles.
- Side-dress heavy feedersaround Mar 29
Tomatoes, peppers, corn and squash get compost or fish emulsion once fruit sets.
Succession sow
- Bush beanaround Mar 15
Sowing 2: replant every 14 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
- Sweet cornaround Mar 15
Sowing 2: replant every 14 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
- Cucumberaround Mar 22
Sowing 2: replant every 21 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
- Zucchiniaround Mar 22
Sowing 2: replant every 21 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
- Basilaround Mar 22
Sowing 2: replant every 21 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
- Bush beanaround Mar 29
Sowing 3: replant every 14 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
- Winter squasharound Mar 29
Sowing 2: replant every 21 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
- Sweet cornaround Mar 29
Sowing 3: replant every 14 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
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