March in Central Florida is the beginning of real spring — but it’s also a decision month. The weather feels warm enough to plant everything, yet the soil and nighttime temperatures still haven’t fully settled into summer patterns.
Success in March comes from planting intentionally, not all at once.
What March Is Really About
March isn’t peak growing season yet — it’s the hand-off between cool crops and warm crops.
If February was protection, March is timing.
Plant too early → heat stress later
Plant too late → weak establishment before summer
This month rewards staggered planting more than enthusiasm.
What To Plant Now (Early March)
These handle cool nights and warming soil well.
Beans (bush and pole)
Cucumbers
Summer squash
Zucchini
Sweet corn
Basil (toward mid-March)
Sunflowers
Roselle hibiscus (late March in warmer areas)
You can begin tomatoes now if nights stay consistently above 50–55°F, but keep protection handy for unexpected dips.
Wait Until Late March
These grow much stronger if soil warms a bit more first.
Peppers
Eggplant
Okra
Malabar spinach
Seminole pumpkin
Tomatillos
Planting these too early often leads to stunted plants that never fully recover.
Still Good to Plant (Before Heat Arrives)
Your cool-season crops are nearing their last comfortable planting window:
Lettuce
Arugula
Radish
Collards
Swiss chard
After mid-March they tend to bolt quickly.
Medicinal Herbs Timing
March is when the apothecary garden begins.
Good to Plant Now
Lemongrass
Mexican tarragon
Society garlic
Yarrow
Calendula (early March only)
Wait Until Late March or Early April
Tulsi (Holy Basil)
Ginger
Turmeric
Gotu kola
Warm-season medicinal herbs establish far better once nighttime temperatures stabilize.
Garden Tasks This Month
This is one of the most important setup months of the year.
Add compost before planting warm crops
Install supports early (tomatoes and cucumbers grow fast now)
Refresh mulch before heat arrives
Check irrigation coverage
Small adjustments now prevent most April and May problems.
Pest Activity Begins Now
As nights warm, insect activity wakes up fast — especially aphids, leaf miners, and early caterpillars.
Early detection is easier than treatment later. Check new growth twice a week instead of waiting for visible damage.
Having NoBite Botanical Bug Spray ready also helps when you’re spending longer hours working outside again.
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$10 each (4 oz)
If You’re Feeling Behind
You’re not.
March gardening in Central Florida isn’t about finishing planting — it’s about starting correctly. Many of the best gardens here are planted gradually across 3–5 weeks, not in a single weekend.
Weather Watch: March in Central Florida
Highs: 75–85°F
Lows: 55–65°F
Rainfall: Still inconsistent — irrigation becomes important
Garden Tip: Root growth accelerates this month. Plants focus below ground before visible top growth.
March Garden Inspiration
Final Thought
If you plant everything at once in March, the garden often struggles in May. If you pace yourself now, spring becomes much easier to manage.
Plant a little, observe, then plant more.
Stay rooted,
Larissa
Stepping Stone Garden Coach
www.steppingstonegc.com