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Zone 5A — March

What to Plant in March in Zone 5A

March in Zone 5A: 22 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
22 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
Black Salsify root vegetable Mar 26 Apr 2 Perennial — see plant page
Brilliant Celeriac root vegetable Mar 19 Apr 30 Aug 18 – Aug 28
Carentan Leeks allium Mar 26 Apr 16 Jul 15 – Aug 4
Charleston Wakefield Cabbage brassica Mar 26 Apr 9 Jun 23
Crimson Cherry Rhubarb Root vegetable Mar 26 Apr 2 Perennial — see plant page
Curly Parsley herb Mar 26 Apr 30 Jul 9 – Jul 19
Dutch Yellow Shallots allium Mar 26 Apr 2 Jul 1 – Jul 31
Early Jersey Wakefield Cabbage brassica Mar 26 Apr 9 Jun 13 – Jun 23
Flat-Leaf Parsley herb Mar 26 Apr 30 Jul 9 – Jul 29
French Red Shallots allium Mar 26 Apr 2 Jul 1 – Jul 31
Giant Musselburgh Leeks allium Mar 26 Apr 16 Jul 25 – Jul 30
Holland Red Shallots allium Mar 26 Apr 2 Jul 1 – Jul 31
Imperial Star Artichoke vegetable Mar 26 Apr 30 Jul 29 – Aug 8
Michihili Cabbage brassica Mar 26 Apr 9 Jun 18
OG American Flag Leeks allium Mar 26 Apr 16 Jul 15 – Jul 25
Red Acre Cabbage brassica Mar 26 Apr 9 Jun 23 – Jun 28
Shasta Daisy Flowers flower Mar 26 Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Tatsoi lettuce Mar 19 Apr 2 Apr 27 – May 17
Victoria Rhubarb vegetable Mar 26 Apr 16 Perennial — see plant page
Viola and pansy edible flowers flower Mar 12 Apr 16 Jun 15 – Jun 25
Alexandria Alpine Strawberry berry Mar 26 May 7 Perennial — see plant page
Pinkeye Purple Hull Cowpea legume Mar 19 May 14 Jul 13 – Jul 23

Plant Outside in March

No crops to plant outside in March for Zone 5A.

Harvest in March

No crops entering harvest in March for Zone 5A.

Key Tasks for March in Zone 5A

  1. 1 Start 22 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
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