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Zone 9A — March

What to Plant in March in Zone 9A

March in Zone 9A: 3 crops to start indoors, 113 to plant or direct sow outside, and 107 entering harvest window. Last frost averages March 4. Reference city: Phoenix, AZ.
Updated May 13, 2026 · Frost data from NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals
3 Start Indoors
113 Plant Outside
107 Harvest
Frost window: Active

This is when frost can still happen in Zone 9A. The last spring frost typically lands on March 4, with a 10% chance of frost as late as March 27. Plan transplants with this window in mind.

See full Zone 9A frost outlook →

Start Indoors in March

Plant Type Start Indoors Transplant Outside Harvest Window
Chayote squash vegetable Mar 1 Mar 1 Jun 29 – Jul 29
Dwarf Long Pod Okra vegetable Mar 1 Mar 8 May 2 – May 7
Nopales pads vegetable Mar 1 Mar 1 Perennial — see plant page

Plant Outside in March

Plant Type Action Target Date Harvest Window
Amish Paste Tomatoes tomato Transplant Mar 1 May 14 – May 25
Anaheim Peppers pepper Transplant Mar 1 May 17 – May 25
Anise hyssop leaves and flowers flower Transplant Mar 1 Perennial — see plant page
Bachelor's button edible flowers flower Transplant Mar 1 Apr 30 – May 20
Banana Peppers pepper Transplant Mar 8 May 7 – May 17
Beefsteak Tomatoes tomato Transplant Mar 1 May 20 – May 25
Bhut Jolokia Ghost Pepper pepper Transplant Mar 1 May 30 – Jun 29
Big Jim Hatch Chile pepper Transplant Mar 1 May 10 – May 15
Bitter melons vegetable Transplant Mar 1 May 15 – May 30
Black Cherry Tomatoes tomato Transplant Mar 1 May 4 – May 15
Black Krim Tomatoes tomato Transplant Mar 1 May 15 – May 20
Black Oil Sunflower Microgreens microgreen Transplant Mar 1 Mar 8 – Mar 13
Bloody Butcher Corn vegetable Transplant Mar 1 Jun 9 – Jun 19
Brandywine Tomatoes tomato Transplant Mar 1 May 20 – May 30
Broccolini brassica Transplant Mar 1 Apr 20 – May 10
Brussels Sprouts brassica Transplant Mar 1 May 25 – Jun 19
Butternut Squash squash Transplant Mar 1 Jun 9 – Jun 29
California Wonder Peppers pepper Transplant Mar 1 May 12 – May 15
Cantaloupe melon Transplant Mar 1 May 20 – May 30
Caribbean Red Scotch Bonnet Pepper pepper Transplant Mar 1 Jun 4 – Jun 29
Carolina Reaper peppers pepper Transplant Mar 1 May 30 – Jun 29
Casper Eggplant vegetable Transplant Mar 1 May 10
Cayenne Peppers pepper Transplant Mar 1 May 25 – Jun 4
Celeste Fig berry Plant Out Mar 1 Perennial — see plant page
Chayote squash vegetable Transplant Mar 1 Jun 29 – Jul 29
Cherokee Purple Tomatoes tomato Transplant Mar 1 May 18 – May 25
Cherry Bomb peppers pepper Transplant Mar 1 May 15 – May 20
Chicago Hardy Fig berry Plant Out Mar 1 Perennial — see plant page
Chocolate Bell Sweet Peppers pepper Transplant Mar 1 May 5 – May 20
Corno di Toro Pepper pepper Transplant Mar 1 May 15 – May 20
Crosne tubers root vegetable Transplant Mar 1 Perennial — see plant page
Cubanelle Peppers pepper Transplant Mar 8 May 9 – May 17
Culinary Turmeric root vegetable Transplant Mar 8 Nov 3 2026 – Jan 2 2027
Datil peppers pepper Transplant Mar 1 May 30 – Jun 19
Delica kabocha squash squash Transplant Mar 1 Jun 4 – Jun 19
Dwarf Long Pod Okra vegetable Transplant Mar 8 May 2 – May 7
Early Girl Tomatoes tomato Transplant Mar 1 Apr 22 – May 2
Emerald Giant Sweet Peppers pepper Transplant Mar 1 May 15 – May 25
Emerald Green Velvet Okra vegetable Transplant Mar 1 Apr 25 – Apr 28
English Lavender herb Transplant Mar 1 Perennial — see plant page
Florida Market Eggplant vegetable Transplant Mar 1 May 20 – May 30
Fresno Peppers pepper Transplant Mar 1 May 15 – May 20
Genovese Basil herb Transplant Mar 1 Apr 30 – May 10
Ginger root vegetable Transplant Mar 8 Nov 3 2026 – Jan 2 2027
Golden Bantam Sweet Corn vegetable Transplant Mar 1 May 9 – May 15
Golden Marconi Sweet Peppers pepper Transplant Mar 1 May 5 – May 20
Green Cabbage brassica Transplant Mar 1 Apr 30 – Jun 9
Green Globe Artichoke vegetable Transplant Mar 1 Perennial — see plant page
Green Zebra Tomatoes tomato Transplant Mar 1 May 15 – May 18
Habanero Pepper pepper Transplant Mar 8 Jun 6 – Jul 6
Hairy vetch cover crop stands cover crop Transplant Mar 1 Apr 30 – May 30
Highbush Blueberries berry Transplant Mar 1 Perennial — see plant page
Honeydew Melon melon Transplant Mar 1 Jun 9 – Jun 24
Hungarian Hot Wax Pepper pepper Transplant Mar 1 May 5 – May 15
Improved Meyer Lemon berry Plant Out Mar 1 Perennial — see plant page
Jacob's Cattle beans legume Transplant Mar 1 May 20 – May 30
Jalapeño Peppers pepper Transplant Mar 1 May 5 – May 15
Jerusalem artichoke tubers root vegetable Transplant Mar 1 Perennial — see plant page
Jicama Mexican Yam Bean legume Transplant Mar 1 Jul 19 – Aug 8
Jimmy Nardello Peppers pepper Transplant Mar 8 May 27 – Jun 6
King Arthur Peppers pepper Transplant Mar 1 May 2 – May 8
Lemongrass herb Transplant Mar 1 Perennial — see plant page
Long Green Louisiana Eggplant vegetable Transplant Mar 1 May 5 – May 10
Long Ping Tung Eggplant vegetable Transplant Mar 1 Apr 25 – Apr 30
Long Purple Italian Eggplant vegetable Transplant Mar 1 May 15
Luffa gourds vegetable Transplant Mar 1 Jun 9 – Jun 29
Lunchbox Mini Peppers pepper Transplant Mar 8 May 2 – May 7
Marketmore 76 Cucumber cucumber Transplant Mar 1 Apr 28 – May 8
Midnight Snack Tomatoes tomato Transplant Mar 1 May 5 – May 10
Mortgage Lifter Tomatoes tomato Transplant Mar 1 May 20 – May 25
Mountain Magic Tomatoes tomato Transplant Mar 1 May 12 – May 15
Mucho Nacho Jalapeño Peppers pepper Transplant Mar 1 May 8 – May 10
Nagami Kumquat berry Plant Out Mar 1 Perennial — see plant page
Nopales pads vegetable Transplant Mar 1 Perennial — see plant page
Orange Horizon Sweet Peppers pepper Transplant Mar 1 May 15 – May 20
Padron Peppers pepper Transplant Mar 8 May 7 – May 12
Pandora Striped Eggplant vegetable Transplant Mar 1 May 15 – May 20
Phacelia cover crop and bee forage cover crop Transplant Mar 1 Apr 15 – Apr 30
Pimento Sweet Peppers pepper Transplant Mar 1 May 25 – May 30
Pinkeye Purple Hull Cowpea legume Transplant Mar 1 Apr 30 – May 10
Poblano Peppers pepper Transplant Mar 1 May 5 – May 15
Potato onion clusters root vegetable Transplant Mar 1 May 30 – Jun 29
Purple Basil herb Transplant Mar 1 May 10 – May 25
Purple Beauty Sweet Peppers pepper Transplant Mar 1 May 10 – May 15
Rambo Radish Microgreens microgreen Transplant Mar 1 Mar 7 – Mar 11
Red Burgundy Okra vegetable Transplant Mar 1 Apr 25 – Apr 30
Red Cabbage brassica Transplant Mar 1 May 10 – Jun 19
Red-Stem Malabar Spinach lettuce Transplant Mar 1 Apr 25 – May 10
Roma VF Tomatoes tomato Transplant Mar 1 May 15 – May 20
Romanesco brassica Transplant Mar 1 May 15 – Jun 9
Rosemary herb Plant Out Mar 1 Perennial — see plant page
Round Mauve Eggplant vegetable Transplant Mar 1 May 20 – May 30
Rutgers Tomato tomato Transplant Mar 1 May 10 – May 20
San Marzano Tomatoes tomato Transplant Mar 1 May 18 – May 28
Serrano Peppers pepper Transplant Mar 1 May 10 – May 20
Shishito Peppers pepper Transplant Mar 8 May 7 – May 12
Signet marigold edible flowers flower Transplant Mar 1 Apr 30 – May 5
Snow Crown Cauliflower brassica Transplant Mar 1 Apr 20 – Apr 30
Speckled Pea Shoot Microgreens microgreen Transplant Mar 1 Mar 9 – Mar 15
Sugar Baby Watermelon melon Transplant Mar 1 May 15 – May 20
Sunbright Yellow Sweet Peppers pepper Transplant Mar 1 May 15 – May 20
Sweet Million Tomatoes tomato Transplant Mar 1 Apr 30 – May 5
Thai Basil herb Transplant Mar 1 Apr 30 – May 5
Thai Hot Peppers pepper Transplant Mar 1 May 15 – May 25
Tiny Tim Tomatoes tomato Transplant Mar 1 Apr 15 – Apr 25
Trinidad Moruga Scorpion peppers pepper Transplant Mar 1 May 20 – Jun 29
Tumbling Tom Red Tomatoes tomato Transplant Mar 1 May 5 – May 10
Turkish Orange Eggplant vegetable Transplant Mar 1 May 25 – May 30
Waltham 29 Broccoli brassica Transplant Mar 1 May 15 – May 30
White Cloud Sweet Peppers pepper Transplant Mar 1 May 10 – May 15
White clover living mulch cover crop Transplant Mar 1 Perennial — see plant page
Winter rye cover crop stands cover crop Transplant Mar 1 Aug 28 – Oct 7
Yolo Wonder Sweet Peppers pepper Transplant Mar 1 May 10 – May 20

Harvest in March

Plant Type Planted / Sown Harvest Window
Alaska Early Pea legume Jan 25 Mar 21 – Mar 26
All Year Round lettuce Jan 23 Mar 28 – Apr 6
America lettuce Jan 23 Mar 7 – Mar 19
Black Seeded Simpson lettuce Jan 23 Mar 9 – Mar 10
Blonde de Paris lettuce Jan 23 Mar 14 – Mar 24
Bloomsdale Longstanding Spinach lettuce Jan 23 Mar 9 – Mar 16
Blue Curled Scotch lettuce Jan 23 Mar 19 – Mar 24
Bok Choy lettuce Jan 23 Mar 9 – Mar 24
Broadleaf Classic lettuce Jan 23 Mar 14 – Mar 24
Burgundy Boston lettuce Jan 23 Mar 14 – Mar 19
Buttercrunch lettuce Jan 23 Mar 10 – Mar 19
Butterhead Lettuce lettuce Jan 23 Mar 14 – Mar 29
California Bluebell flower Jan 16 Mar 12 – Mar 22
Canary Yellow lettuce Jan 23 Mar 14 – Mar 24
Cascadia Sugar Snap Pea legume Jan 25 Mar 31 – Apr 2
Chervil herb Jan 25 Mar 1 – Mar 11
Chinese Forget-Me-Not Flowers flower Jan 16 Mar 22 – Apr 11
Curly Kale lettuce Jan 23 Mar 19 – Mar 29
Dark Green Romaine lettuce Jan 23 Mar 24 – Apr 3
Delicatesse Blue Kohlrabi brassica Jan 25 Mar 21 – Mar 26
Delicatesse White Kohlrabi brassica Jan 25 Mar 21 – Mar 26
Dutch Lamb's Lettuce lettuce Jan 23 Mar 4 – Mar 14
Early Jersey Wakefield Cabbage brassica Jan 25 Mar 31 – Apr 10
Endive / Escarole lettuce Jan 23 Mar 9 – Mar 29
Florida Broadleaf lettuce Jan 23 Mar 4 – Mar 14
Fordhook Giant lettuce Jan 23 Mar 9 – Mar 19
French Lamb's Lettuce lettuce Jan 23 Mar 4 – Mar 14
Georgia Southern Collard Greens lettuce Jan 23 Mar 24 – Apr 13
Giant Red lettuce Jan 23 Mar 9
Green Arrow Pea legume Jan 25 Mar 31 – Apr 5
Green Ice lettuce Jan 23 Mar 9
Green Wave lettuce Jan 23 Mar 9
Hot Pink lettuce Jan 23 Mar 14 – Mar 24
Kagraner Sommer lettuce Jan 23 Mar 14 – Mar 22
Lacinato Kale lettuce Jan 23 Mar 24 – Mar 29
Leaf Lettuce Mix lettuce Jan 23 Mar 9 – Mar 19
Little Gem lettuce Jan 23 Mar 14 – Mar 20
Little Marvel Pea legume Jan 25 Mar 26 – Mar 29
Lollo Bionda lettuce Jan 23 Mar 14 – Mar 24
Lollo Rossa lettuce Jan 23 Mar 17 – Mar 20
Magenta Sunset lettuce Jan 23 Mar 19 – Mar 24
Marvel of Four Seasons lettuce Jan 23 Mar 9 – Mar 24
Matador Viking lettuce Jan 23 Mar 9 – Mar 12
Mizuna lettuce Jan 23 Mar 4 – Mar 14
Monstrueux de Viroflay lettuce Jan 23 Mar 9 – Mar 14
Mâche (Corn Salad) lettuce Jan 23 Mar 24 – Apr 17
Noble Giant lettuce Jan 23 Mar 10 – Mar 14
Old Fashion lettuce Jan 23 Mar 9 – Mar 14
Orange lettuce Jan 23 Mar 9 – Mar 19
Oregon Sugar Pod Snow Pea legume Jan 25 Mar 26 – Apr 3
Premier lettuce Jan 23 Mar 14 – Mar 24
Progress No. 9 Shelling Pea legume Jan 25 Mar 24 – Mar 28
Radicchio lettuce Jan 23 Mar 24 – Apr 18
Rainbow Mix lettuce Jan 23 Mar 14 – Mar 24
Rapeseed Cover Crop cover crop Jan 16 Mar 2 – Mar 27
Red Leaf Lettuce lettuce Jan 23 Mar 9 – Mar 19
Red Romaine lettuce Jan 23 Mar 24 – Apr 3
Red Russian Kale lettuce Jan 23 Mar 14 – Mar 24
Romaine Lettuce lettuce Jan 23 Mar 29 – Apr 8
Ruby Red lettuce Jan 23 Mar 19 – Mar 24
Salad Bowl Green lettuce Jan 23 Mar 13 – Mar 14
Siberian Dwarf lettuce Jan 23 Mar 14 – Mar 19
Sugar Ann Snap Pea legume Jan 25 Mar 18 – Mar 22
Summer Bibb lettuce Jan 23 Mar 19 – Mar 24
Swiss Chard lettuce Jan 23 Mar 14 – Mar 24
Tendergreen lettuce Jan 23 Mar 4 – Mar 14
Tom Thumb lettuce Jan 23 Mar 14 – Apr 3
Tuscany Black lettuce Jan 23 Mar 24 – Apr 8
Vates lettuce Jan 23 Mar 14 – Mar 19
Vates lettuce Jan 23 Mar 24 – Apr 8
Vienna Purple Kohlrabi brassica Jan 25 Mar 21 – Mar 31
Vienna White Kohlrabi brassica Jan 25 Mar 31
Wando Pea legume Jan 25 Mar 29 – Apr 3
White Boston lettuce Jan 23 Mar 4 – Mar 14
Winner Kohlrabi brassica Jan 23 Mar 9 – Mar 14
Winter Density lettuce Jan 23 Mar 18 – Mar 24
Winter Giant lettuce Jan 23 Mar 9 – Mar 14
Yellow Sweet Blossom Clover Cover Crop cover crop Jan 16 Mar 17 – Apr 16
Beauty Pink Radishes root vegetable Feb 15 Mar 12 – Mar 17
Beauty Purple Radishes root vegetable Feb 15 Mar 12 – Mar 17
Beauty White Radishes root vegetable Feb 15 Mar 12 – Mar 17
Bouquet Dill herb Feb 1 Mar 23 – Apr 7
Buckwheat cover crop Feb 15 Mar 17 – Apr 1
Champion Radishes root vegetable Feb 15 Mar 12 – Mar 17
Cherry Belle Radish root vegetable Feb 22 Mar 15 – Mar 24
Daikon Radishes root vegetable Feb 1 Mar 18 – Mar 28
Dill herb Feb 15 Mar 27 – Apr 11
Dukat Dill herb Feb 1 Mar 13 – Mar 23
Easter Egg Radishes root vegetable Feb 15 Mar 15 – Mar 19
Fairy Dwarf Mix Candytuft Flowers flower Feb 1 Mar 18 – Apr 2
Fenugreek herb Feb 1 Mar 8 – Mar 23
French Breakfast Radish root vegetable Feb 22 Mar 15 – Mar 22
Green Purslane vegetable Feb 22 Mar 29 – Apr 13
Hailstone Radishes root vegetable Feb 15 Mar 17
Mammoth Dill herb Feb 1 Mar 18 – Apr 7
Purple Plum Radishes root vegetable Feb 15 Mar 15 – Mar 17
Royal Carpet Alyssum Flowers flower Feb 1 Mar 18 – Apr 2
Scarlet Flax Flowers flower Feb 1 Mar 28 – Apr 12
Shungiku (Edible Chrysanthemum) lettuce Feb 1 Mar 13 – Mar 28
Slow-Bolt (Slo-Bolt) Cilantro/Coriander herb Feb 15 Mar 15 – Mar 27
Sparkler Radishes root vegetable Feb 15 Mar 12 – Mar 17
Sweet Alyssum flower Feb 15 Mar 27 – Apr 11
Tri Color Amaranth (Joseph's Coat) vegetable Feb 22 Mar 24 – Apr 8
White Icicle Radishes root vegetable Feb 15 Mar 17 – Mar 27
Black Oil Sunflower Microgreens microgreen Mar 1 Mar 8 – Mar 13
Rambo Radish Microgreens microgreen Mar 1 Mar 7 – Mar 11
Speckled Pea Shoot Microgreens microgreen Mar 1 Mar 9 – Mar 15

Key Tasks for March in Zone 9A

  1. 1 Start 3 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 Harden off transplants before moving outdoors — set them outside in a sheltered spot for increasing hours over 7–10 days before planting in the ground.
  3. 3 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 9A planting calendar
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