Garden Guide March
March arrives with the shifting moods of a storyteller, whispering promises of spring one moment and retreating into winter’s lingering embrace the next. The land awakens slowly, stretching toward the lengthening days, and we, too, feel the pull—hands eager to dig into the cool earth, hearts yearning for the renewal that only a garden can bring.
The Spring Equinox, a perfect balance of light and dark, offers a moment of stillness before the northern hemisphere tips into warmth and growth. This month, the Chinese celebrate the birthday of Mother Earth, a time to honor the living soil and all that it nurtures. Consider marking this turning point by planting seeds with intention—offerings to the season ahead, tiny vessels of hope and renewal.
If you find yourself gazing longingly at your seed packets on a rain-drenched day, take a moment to sit with them. Each seed carries the wisdom of its lineage—some are eager to brave the cold, while others require patience and the promise of gentler nights. Understanding their needs deepens our relationship with the rhythms of the natural world.
Hardy plants, resilient and unshaken by late frosts, can be sown directly in the cool soil. These include spinach, peas, corn salad, fava beans, and certain lettuces, along with a host of annual flowers that thrive in the maritime Northwest’s mild winters. They are the first to greet the season, forging ahead while the earth is still damp and the air still crisp.
Half-hardy annuals, a step behind in their patience, can withstand a light frost but flourish when sheltered. These plants, including Chinese cabbage, dill, summer savory, and spring broccoli, benefit from a protective cloche, a simple act of care that speeds their growth and offers a buffer against the unpredictable shifts of March. Root crops—carrots, beets, radishes—can be directly sown now, waiting beneath the soil’s surface for the days to stretch longer.
Then there are the tender ones, the plants that long for the embrace of summer. Tomatoes, basil, peppers, and eggplants will not be hurried; they thrive in warmth and light, their roots hesitant in the cold. Even as the world outside begins to stir, these delicate crops remind us that patience is also a form of nurturing.
Sow outdoors throughout March:
Hardy greens like spinach and spring peas can still be sown, though their germination will be slow. Keep a watchful eye for slugs, who wake early from their winter slumber.
Members of the beet family—spinach, perpetual spinach, and Swiss chard—embrace the cool earth.
The carrot family gives us chervil, cilantro, fennel, parsley, and sweet cicely, each adding delicate beauty and flavor to the season ahead.
The mustard family offers an array of greens—arugula, wild arugula, cress, radishes, and turnips—all eager to take root in the cool spring air.
From the pea family, fenugreek, garbanzo beans, and a variety of peas (shelling, snap, and snow) remind us of the sweetness of new growth.
Sow under a cloche throughout March:
A cloche is both shelter and invitation, creating a microclimate that coaxes plants toward earlier harvests. Greens sown now will be ready weeks before those planted later in April.
Beets, spinach, and Swiss chard benefit from the warmth and protection.
Carrots and parsley settle in, preparing for slow but steady growth.
The mustard family—arugula, Asian greens, broccoli, cabbage, collards, kale, mustard, and radishes—will stretch toward the light, but still prefer the cool weather.
Endive, lettuce, salsify, scorzonera, and shungiku from the sunflower family add diversity to early spring beds.
Sow indoors to transplant throughout March:
Not all beginnings happen in the soil outdoors. Some require a gentler start, a place on a sunny windowsill or in the steady warmth of a propagation box.
Buckwheat family: Rhubarb and garden sorrel stir from dormancy.
Ice plant family: New Zealand spinach waits for its moment.
Mint family: Anise hyssop, marjoram, summer savory, shiso, lemon anise hyssop, and lemon balm—all fragrant reminders of summer’s promise.
Onion family: Chives, garlic chives, leeks, pearl onions, and scallions begin their slow journey toward the garden.
Flowers:
Hardy annuals can be sown directly into beds, bringing early color and life to the garden. These flowers fill empty spaces, companion the first vegetables, and weave beauty into the waking landscape.
Borage family: Baby blue eyes, California bluebells, and forget-me-nots scatter softness across garden beds.
Buttercup family: Larkspur and love-in-a-mist nod in the early spring breeze.
Pea family: Annual lupines and sweet peas unfurl their tendrils, eager to climb and bloom.
Sunflower family: Calendula, feverfew, coreopsis, and tidy tips open their petals to the lengthening days.
As we plant and prepare, we are reminded that gardening is not just an act of cultivation—it is a partnership with the land, an offering to the seasons. At Eco-Restore, we honor this balance, helping gardeners navigate the intricacies of soil, microclimates, and seasonal rhythms. Whether you need guidance in choosing the right seeds, building protective structures, or designing a garden that works in harmony with nature, we are here to support you. This March, let’s celebrate the turning of the wheel, the awakening of the earth, and the quiet joy of tending to new beginnings.
