Skip to main content
Zone 5A — March

What to Plant in March in Zone 5A

March in Zone 5A: 151 crops to start indoors, 0 to plant or direct sow outside, and 0 entering harvest window. Last frost averages May 7. Reference city: Des Moines, IA.
Updated May 13, 2026 · Frost data from NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals
151 Start Indoors
0 Plant Outside
0 Harvest
Frost risk: High

Frost risk is still high in Zone 5A. The last spring frost typically lands on May 7, with the earliest plausible clearance around April 23. Hold tender crops indoors a while longer.

See full Zone 5A frost outlook

Start Indoors in March

Plant Type Start Indoors Transplant Outside Harvest Window
All Season Cabbage brassica Mar 19 Apr 23 Jul 2 – Jul 12
All Year Round Cauliflower brassica Mar 19 Apr 23 Jun 27
Brunswick Cabbage brassica Mar 19 Apr 23 Jul 22
Calabrese Broccoli brassica Mar 19 Apr 23 Jun 27
Carentan Leeks allium Mar 5 Apr 23 Jul 22 – Aug 11
Charleston Wakefield Cabbage brassica Mar 12 Apr 16 Jun 25
Copenhagen Cabbage brassica Mar 19 Apr 23 Jun 27
Danish Ballhead Cabbage brassica Mar 19 Apr 23 Aug 1 – Aug 11
Di Cicco Broccoli brassica Mar 19 Apr 23 Jun 7 – Jun 10
Drumhead Cabbage brassica Mar 19 Apr 23 Jul 22 – Aug 1
Early Jersey Wakefield Cabbage brassica Mar 12 Apr 16 Jun 20 – Jun 30
Early Purple Broccoli brassica Mar 19 Apr 23 Jun 27
Giant Musselburgh Leeks allium Mar 5 Apr 23 Aug 6
Glory of Enkhuizen Cabbage brassica Mar 19 Apr 23 Jul 22
Golden Acre Cabbage brassica Mar 19 Apr 23 Jun 27
Igloo Cauliflower brassica Mar 19 Apr 23 Jun 27 – Jul 2
Michihili Cabbage brassica Mar 12 Apr 16 Jun 25
OG American Flag Leeks allium Mar 5 Apr 23 Jul 22 – Aug 1
Red Acre Cabbage brassica Mar 12 Apr 16 Jun 30 – Jul 5
Savoy Perfection Cabbage brassica Mar 19 Apr 23 Jul 22 – Jul 27
Snowball Self-Blanche Cauliflower brassica Mar 19 Apr 23 Jun 27
Victoria Rhubarb vegetable Mar 5 Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Violetta Purple Cauliflower brassica Mar 19 Apr 23 Jun 27
Aji Amarillo Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Aug 19 – Sep 18
Aji Dulce Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Aug 19 – Sep 8
Anaheim Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Aug 6 – Aug 14
Ancho Grande Hot Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 14
Angelica herb Mar 5 May 7 Jul 26 – Aug 5
Banana Peppers pepper Mar 26 May 28 Aug 8
Barletta, Pearly White Onions allium Mar 5 May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 26
Beefsteak Tomatoes tomato Mar 19 May 21 Aug 9 – Aug 14
Bhut Jolokia Ghost Pepper pepper Mar 12 May 21 Aug 19 – Sep 18
Big Bertha Peppers pepper Mar 26 May 28 Aug 6 – Aug 9
Big Jim Hatch Chile pepper Mar 12 May 21 Jul 30 – Aug 4
Birds Eye Hot Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Aug 29 – Sep 8
Black Beauty Eggplant vegetable Mar 12 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 19
Brandywine Tomatoes tomato Mar 19 May 21 Aug 9 – Aug 19
California Wonder Peppers pepper Mar 26 May 28 Aug 8 – Aug 11
Cardoon (Purple Artichoke Thistle) vegetable Mar 12 May 14 Perennial — see plant page
Carmen Peppers pepper Mar 26 May 28 Jul 27 – Aug 16
Carolina Reaper peppers pepper Mar 5 May 21 Aug 19 – Sep 18
Casper Eggplant vegetable Mar 19 May 21 Aug 4
Catmint herb Mar 19 May 7 Perennial — see plant page
Cayenne Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Jul 30 – Aug 14
Cherokee Purple Tomatoes tomato Mar 19 May 21 Aug 7 – Aug 14
Cherry Bomb peppers pepper Mar 5 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 9
Chinese 5-Color Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 14
Chocolate Bell Sweet Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Jul 25 – Aug 9
Chocolate Habanero Hot Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Aug 14 – Sep 3
Common Sage herb Mar 26 May 14 Perennial — see plant page
Corno di Toro Pepper pepper Mar 12 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 9
Crego Mix Aster Flowers flower Mar 26 May 14 Aug 2 – Aug 12
Crimson Forest Bunching Onions allium Mar 19 May 7 Jul 6
Cubanelle Peppers pepper Mar 26 May 28 Jul 29 – Aug 6
Curly Parsley herb Mar 5 May 7 Jul 16 – Jul 26
Datil peppers pepper Mar 5 May 21 Aug 19 – Sep 8
Devils Tongue Yellow Hot Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Aug 19 – Sep 8
Emerald Giant Sweet Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 14
English Lavender herb Mar 19 May 21 Perennial — see plant page
English Thyme herb Mar 5 May 7 Perennial — see plant page
English White Daisy Flowers flower Mar 5 May 7 Perennial — see plant page
Evergreen Bunching Onions allium Mar 19 May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 11
Firecracker Hot Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Aug 9 – Sep 18
Fish Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Jul 30 – Aug 9
Flat-Leaf Parsley herb Mar 5 May 7 Jul 16 – Aug 5
Florida Market Eggplant vegetable Mar 19 May 21 Aug 9 – Aug 19
Fresno Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 9
Giant Maximum Mix Snapdragon Flowers flower Mar 5 May 7 Jul 26 – Aug 10
Gochugaru Korean Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Aug 4
Golden Marconi Sweet Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Jul 25 – Aug 9
Grano Red Onions allium Mar 5 May 7 Sep 4
Grano White Onions allium Mar 5 May 7 Sep 4
Green Globe Artichoke vegetable Mar 12 May 21 Perennial — see plant page
Gypsy Peppers pepper Mar 26 May 28 Jul 27 – Aug 1
Habanero Pepper pepper Mar 12 May 28 Aug 26 – Sep 25
Hatch Green Chile (NM 6-4) Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Jul 30 – Aug 9
Highbush Blueberries berry Mar 12 May 21 Perennial — see plant page
Holiday Marbles Hot Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Aug 19 – Sep 8
Hungarian Hot Wax Pepper pepper Mar 12 May 21 Jul 25 – Aug 4
Imperial Star Artichoke vegetable Mar 5 May 7 Aug 5 – Aug 15
Isis Candy Cherry Tomatoes tomato Mar 26 May 14 Jul 23 – Aug 2
Italian Oregano herb Mar 19 May 7 Perennial — see plant page
Jalapeño Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Jul 25 – Aug 4
Japanese Eggplant vegetable Mar 26 May 21 Jul 10 – Jul 25
Jimmy Nardello Peppers pepper Mar 26 May 28 Aug 16 – Aug 26
Kellogg's Breakfast tomatoes tomato Mar 26 May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 7
King Arthur Peppers pepper Mar 26 May 28 Jul 26
Lemon Habanero Hot Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Aug 14 – Sep 3
Lemongrass herb Mar 19 May 21 Perennial — see plant page
Long Green Louisiana Eggplant vegetable Mar 19 May 21 Jul 25 – Jul 30
Long Ping Tung Eggplant vegetable Mar 19 May 21 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Long Purple Italian Eggplant vegetable Mar 19 May 21 Aug 4
Lunchbox Mini Peppers pepper Mar 26 May 28 Jul 22 – Jul 27
Mariachi Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Jul 26 – Aug 4
Matt's Wild Cherry Tomatoes tomato Mar 26 May 14 Jul 8 – Jul 18
Mortgage Lifter Tomatoes tomato Mar 19 May 21 Aug 9 – Aug 14
Mrs. Burns Lemon Basil herb Mar 26 May 14 Jul 13 – Jul 23
NuMex Twilight Hot Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Aug 19 – Sep 18
Orange Habanero Hot Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Aug 14 – Sep 3
Orange Horizon Sweet Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 9
Ox-Eye Daisy Flowers flower Mar 5 May 7 Perennial — see plant page
Padron Peppers pepper Mar 26 May 28 Jul 27
Pandora Striped Eggplant vegetable Mar 19 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 9
Pasilla de Oaxaca Hot Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 14
Paul Robeson tomatoes tomato Mar 26 May 14 Jul 23 – Aug 7
Pepperoncini Pepper pepper Mar 19 May 21 Jul 25 – Aug 4
Pimento Sweet Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Aug 14 – Aug 19
Pineapple Tomatillos vegetable Mar 26 May 14 Jul 23 – Aug 2
Poblano Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Jul 25
Powderpuff Aster Flowers flower Mar 26 May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 7
Pretty Purple Hot Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Aug 19 – Sep 18
Purple Beauty Sweet Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Jul 30 – Aug 4
Purple Tiger Hot Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Aug 19 – Aug 29
Red Burgundy Onions allium Mar 5 May 7 Aug 25 – Sep 4
Red Caribbean Habanero Hot Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Aug 14 – Sep 3
Red Cayenne Hot Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 14
Red Cherry Hot Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 9
Red Mushroom Hot Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 14
Red Scotch Bonnet Pepper pepper Mar 12 May 21 Aug 24 – Sep 18
Roman Chamomile herb Mar 19 May 7 Perennial — see plant page
Rosemary herb Mar 5 May 21 Perennial — see plant page
Round Mauve Eggplant vegetable Mar 19 May 21 Aug 9 – Aug 19
Rue herb Mar 19 May 7 Perennial — see plant page
San Marzano Tomatoes tomato Mar 19 May 21 Aug 7 – Aug 17
Santa Fe Grande Hot Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 9
Serrano Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Jul 30 – Aug 9
Shasta Daisy Flowers flower Mar 5 May 7 Perennial — see plant page
Shishito Peppers pepper Mar 26 May 28 Jul 27 – Aug 1
Single Mix China Aster Flowers flower Mar 26 May 14 Jul 23 – Aug 2
Soapwort flower Mar 26 May 14 Perennial — see plant page
Southport Red Globe Onions allium Mar 5 May 7 Sep 4
Southport White Globe Onions allium Mar 5 May 7 Sep 4
Spanish Sweet White Onions allium Mar 5 May 7 Aug 25 – Sep 4
Sunbright Yellow Sweet Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 9
Sweet Marjoram herb Mar 26 May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 12
Sweet Woodruff herb Mar 19 May 7 Perennial — see plant page
Tabasco Hot Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Aug 9 – Aug 19
Tall Utah 52-70 Celery vegetable Mar 5 May 21 Aug 29 – Sep 28
Tansy herb Mar 19 May 7 Perennial — see plant page
Tepin Hot Peppers pepper Mar 5 May 21 Sep 18 – Sep 27 (before frost)
Thai Hot Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 14
Trinidad Moruga Scorpion peppers pepper Mar 5 May 21 Aug 9 – Sep 18
Tropical Milkweed Flowers flower Mar 26 May 14 Perennial — see plant page
Turkish Orange Eggplant vegetable Mar 19 May 21 Aug 14 – Aug 19
White Cloud Sweet Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Jul 30 – Aug 4
White Lisbon Bunching Onions allium Mar 19 May 7 Jul 6
Wormwood herb Mar 19 May 7 Perennial — see plant page
Yellow Jalapeno (Caloro) Hot Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 14
Yellow Mushroom Hot Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 14
Yellow Scotch Bonnet Hot Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Aug 19 – Sep 18
Yolo Wonder Sweet Peppers pepper Mar 19 May 21 Jul 30 – Aug 9

Plant Outside in March

Nothing to plant or sow outside in March for Zone 5A.
Next window: April — 190 varieties, including AC Wendy Strawberry, Albion Strawberry, Alfalfa Cover Crop.

Harvest in March

Nothing to harvest in March for Zone 5A.
Next window: April — 2 varieties, including Astro Arugula, Mesclun Mix.

Key Tasks for March in Zone 5A

  1. 1 Start 151 varieties indoors this month under grow lights or in a sunny south-facing window. Use a seed-starting mix and bottom heat (70–75°F) for best germination rates.
  2. 2 Check soil moisture before watering — stick a finger 2 inches into the soil. Water only when the soil is dry at that depth. Consistent moisture is more important than frequency.
Back to full Zone 5A planting calendar
February March in Zone 5A April

Get a Personalized March Calendar

SoilStack builds your exact planting schedule from your ZIP code — day-by-day tasks, weather prompts, and harvest tracking included.

Start Your Free Garden Calendar