What to Plant in March in the UK
March is one of the most exciting months for vegetable gardening in the UK. As temperatures begin to rise and daylight increases, many vegetables can be sown outdoors for the first time in the year.
The soil may still be cold and wet, so it’s best to start with hardy crops that grow well in cool conditions.
Even small amounts of planting in March can set up your garden for a productive season.
Vegetables to sow outdoors in March
Several vegetables can be planted directly into the soil in March if conditions are suitable.
These include:
carrots
lettuce
spinach
peas
broad beans
spring onions
If the soil is very wet or frozen, it’s better to wait until conditions improve.
Raised beds often warm up faster than garden soil.
Vegetables to start indoors
Some vegetables grow better when started indoors before being moved outside later.
In March, you can start:
tomatoes
courgettes (late March in warmer areas)
peppers
aubergines
Seed trays placed on a bright windowsill usually work well.
Starting seeds indoors protects young plants from cold weather.
Preparing your garden in March
March is also a good time to prepare growing areas for the season ahead.
You can:
clear weeds
add compost to beds
prepare containers
plan garden layout
check tools and supplies
Small preparation jobs now make planting easier in spring.
Watching the weather
March weather in the UK can be unpredictable.
Some days feel like spring, while others are still cold and frosty.
If frost is expected:
protect seedlings with fleece
delay planting tender crops
avoid planting in very wet soil
Patience early in the season often leads to better results.
A gentle start to the gardening year
March is about getting started rather than planting everything at once.
Even sowing a few rows of hardy vegetables is enough to begin the growing season.
Gardening becomes much busier in April and May, so March is a good time to ease into it.