In Zone 9, March brings rising soil temperatures. This means we can go for direct planting on the ground outdoors. Longer growing season crop seeds can still be started indoors in March. In this article, you will find charts for what to plant in March in Zone 9.
Note: In early March, it is possible that you may find sudden cold snaps. Check weather forecasts regularly and be prepared for them. You can also check when to cover plants (chart) to protect them from cold damage.
I do not like the way how most of the charts on the internet are listing all the plants in a single chart. My charts are separated into several categories based on the plant types.
Want a printable version of this planting chart in PDF format? Just subscribe to this site and become my premium member. I will send you the file.
You will find:
- Vegetables and roots
- Flowering plants
- Herbs
- Berries
As this is a monthly planting chart, you will find the plants that can be started in March (that does not mean March should be their best planting time). If you want the best planting type for any specific plant, look at the Zone 9 Planting Schedule Chart (full year).
Vegetables and roots to start in March in Zone 9
Here is the list of vegetables you can start planting in March with their planting method, transplanting time (if applicable), variety suggestions, and expected harvesting time.
| Vegetable Name | Planting Method | Transplanting Time (If Applicable) | Variety Suggestion | Expected Harvesting Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beans (Bush & Pole) | Direct Sow | N/A | Blue Lake, Kentucky Wonder | 50-65 days |
| Corn | Direct Sow | N/A | Golden Bantam, Silver Queen | 75-100 days |
| Cucumbers | Direct Sow | N/A | Marketmore, Straight Eight | 50-70 days |
| Squash (Zucchini, Yellow, Winter) | Direct Sow | N/A | Black Beauty (Zucchini), Waltham Butternut | 45-60 days (Zucchini), 90-110 days (Winter) |
| Melons (Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Honeydew) | Direct Sow | N/A | Crimson Sweet (Watermelon), Hale’s Best (Cantaloupe) | 75-100 days |
| Okra | Direct Sow | N/A | Clemson Spineless, Emerald | 50-65 days |
| Tomatoes | Transplant Seedlings | Early to Mid-March | Roma, Cherokee Purple, Sungold | 60-85 days |
| Peppers (Bell, Hot, Sweet) | Transplant Seedlings | Mid to Late March | California Wonder (Bell), Jalapeño (Hot) | 65-90 days |
| Eggplant | Transplant Seedlings | Mid to Late March | Black Beauty, Rosa Bianca | 70-85 days |
| Sweet Potatoes | Plant Slips | Late March | Beauregard, Georgia Jet | 90-120 days |
| Southern Peas (Black-eyed, Cowpeas) | Direct Sow | N/A | California Blackeye, Pinkeye Purple Hull | 60-90 days |
| Pumpkins | Direct Sow | N/A | Jack O’ Lantern, Seminole | 90-120 days |
| Luffa | Direct Sow / Start Indoors | Transplant in Late March (If Started Indoors) | Smooth Luffa, Ridged Luffa | 150-200 days |
Leafy Greens to Plant in March in Zone 9
Due to temp. rise, some leafy greens may turn bitter. So try to plant as early as possible.
| Vegetable Name | Planting Method | Transplanting Time (If Applicable) | Variety Suggestion | Expected Harvesting Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swiss Chard | Direct Sow / Transplant | Early March (If Transplanting) | Bright Lights, Fordhook Giant | 50-60 days |
| Spinach | Direct Sow | N/A | Bloomsdale, Space | 40-50 days |
| Collard Greens | Direct Sow / Transplant | Early to Mid-March (If Transplanting) | Georgia Southern, Morris Heading | 60-80 days |
| Mustard Greens | Direct Sow | N/A | Florida Broadleaf, Southern Giant | 40-50 days |
| Kale | Direct Sow / Transplant | Early March (If Transplanting) | Dwarf Blue Curled, Lacinato | 50-70 days |
| Arugula | Direct Sow | N/A | Rocket, Astro | 30-45 days |
| Butterhead Lettuce | Direct Sow / Transplant | Early March (If Transplanting) | Bibb, Buttercrunch | 45-60 days |
| Romaine Lettuce | Direct Sow / Transplant | Early March (If Transplanting) | Parris Island, Little Gem | 55-75 days |
| Leaf Lettuce | Direct Sow | N/A | Black Seeded Simpson, Red Sails | 30-50 days |
| Bok Choy (Pak Choi) | Direct Sow / Transplant | Early March (If Transplanting) | Tatsoi, Joi Choi | 40-60 days |
Flowering Plants
Have you ever wondered if you can plant flowers in between your veggies? I have something for you to boost your companion planting skills. You can read it later: Best companion plants for vegetable garden.
The below chart includes all the flowering plants you can plant in March in Zone 9.
The blooming time is in the last column.
| Flower Name | Planting Method | Transplanting Time (If Applicable) | Perennial or Annual | Blooming Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marigold | Direct Sow / Transplant | Early to Mid-March | Annual | Spring to Fall |
| Zinnia | Direct Sow | N/A | Annual | Late Spring to Fall |
| Cosmos | Direct Sow | N/A | Annual | Spring to Early Fall |
| Sunflower | Direct Sow | N/A | Annual | Summer to Early Fall |
| Petunia | Transplant Seedlings | Early March | Annual | Spring to Fall |
| Portulaca (Moss Rose) | Direct Sow / Transplant | Mid-March | Annual | Late Spring to Fall |
| Coreopsis | Direct Sow / Transplant | Mid to Late March | Perennial | Spring to Summer |
| Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) | Direct Sow / Transplant | Mid to Late March | Perennial | Spring to Fall |
| Echinacea (Coneflower) | Direct Sow / Transplant | Late March | Perennial | Summer to Fall |
| Black-eyed Susan | Direct Sow / Transplant | Mid to Late March | Perennial | Summer to Early Fall |
| Vinca (Periwinkle) | Transplant Seedlings | Mid-March | Annual | Spring to Fall |
| Salvia | Direct Sow / Transplant | Late March | Perennial | Spring to Late Summer |
| Lantana | Transplant Seedlings | Late March | Perennial | Spring to Fall |
| Snapdragon | Transplant Seedlings | Early March | Annual | Spring to Early Summer |
If you have a porch and want to make it look better, this is for you: best easy to maintain porch plants for Zone 9
Berries and fruits to Plant in March - Zone 9
| Fruit/Berry Name | Planting Method | Transplanting Time (If Applicable) | Perennial or Annual | First Harvesting Time (Years) | Variety Suggestion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strawberries | Transplant Runners | Early to Mid-March | Perennial | 1 Year | Chandler, Sweet Charlie |
| Blueberries | Transplant Seedlings | Early March | Perennial | 2-3 Years | Misty, Sunshine Blue |
| Blackberries | Transplant Canes | Mid-March | Perennial | 1-2 Years | Apache, Arapaho |
| Raspberries | Transplant Canes | Mid to Late March | Perennial | 1-2 Years | Dorman Red, Heritage |
| Grapes | Transplant Vines | Late March | Perennial | 2-3 Years | Concord, Muscadine |
| Figs | Transplant Saplings | Early to Mid-March | Perennial | 2-3 Years | Celeste, Brown Turkey |
| Citrus (Lemon, Orange, Lime) | Transplant Trees | Early March | Perennial | 3-5 Years | Meyer Lemon, Valencia Orange, Key Lime |
| Peach | Transplant Trees | Early to Mid-March | Perennial | 2-4 Years | Florida King, Tropic Beauty |
| Pear | Transplant Trees | Mid to Late March | Perennial | 3-5 Years | Pineapple Pear, Hood |
| Apple | Transplant Trees | Late March | Perennial | 3-5 Years | Anna, Dorsett Golden |
| Pomegranate | Transplant Shrubs | Early to Mid-March | Perennial | 2-3 Years | Wonderful, Angel Red |
| Banana | Transplant Suckers | Early to Mid-March | Perennial | 1-2 Years | Ice Cream, Dwarf Cavendish |
| Mulberry | Transplant Trees | Mid to Late March | Perennial | 2-3 Years | Pakistan, Everbearing |
| Avocado | Transplant Trees | Early to Mid-March | Perennial | 3-5 Years | Brogdon, Oro Negro |
Try to use homemade fertilizers for fruit trees. I have made a dedicated chart for homemade fertilizers, especially for fruit trees based on their growth stages.
Herbs to Plant in March (Zone 9)
| Herb Name | Planting Method | Transplanting Time (If Applicable) | Perennial or Annual | Variety Suggestion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Direct Sow / Transplant | Mid to Late March | Annual | Genovese, Thai |
| Cilantro | Direct Sow | N/A | Annual | Santo, Slow Bolt |
| Dill | Direct Sow | N/A | Annual | Bouquet, Fernleaf |
| Oregano | Transplant Seedlings | Mid to Late March | Perennial | Greek, Italian |
| Rosemary | Transplant Cuttings / Seedlings | Early to Mid-March | Perennial | Arp, Tuscan Blue |
| Thyme | Transplant Seedlings | Early March | Perennial | English, Lemon |
| Chives | Direct Sow / Transplant | Early to Mid-March | Perennial | Common, Garlic |
| Mint | Transplant Cuttings / Seedlings | Early to Mid-March | Perennial | Peppermint, Spearmint |
| Sage | Transplant Seedlings | Mid to Late March | Perennial | Common, Pineapple |
| Lavender | Transplant Seedlings | Late March | Perennial | English, Spanish |
| Tarragon | Transplant Cuttings / Seedlings | Late March | Perennial | French, Russian |
| Fennel | Direct Sow | N/A | Perennial | Florence, Bronze |
| Lemon Balm | Transplant Cuttings / Seedlings | Mid-March | Perennial | Common, Quedlinburger |
| Stevia | Transplant Seedlings | Mid to Late March | Perennial | Sweetleaf, Candy |
Before you start growing Lavender, take a look at this: how to grow lavender in Zone 9
