The zone we use for our homestead is 7, rather than what the zone chart claims is 8b. In a previous post I talked about my decision to follow a colder zone here in Maple Valley, Wa. I find that we have cold/wet longer into early spring than other zone 8’s have. The foothills of the Cascade Mountains and Mount Rainier help play into the weather as well. And it gives me more time, in case a heavy rain or late freeze comes. February 2018 went from warm to an Arctic freeze, which is typical weather. March will have longer hours of light (we just cracked 11 hours of daylight in this past week), and the temperatures should slowly get warmer, but will still freeze at night on clear days.
Garden Tasks:
- Prune rose bushes.
- Get bare root plants in the ground, such as fruit trees and roses.
- Plant flower bulbs.
- Weed beds.
- Clean out birdhouses, bird baths and bird feeders.
- Feed existing fruit trees.
- Turn compost piles.
Seeds To Plant:
To see more on when to seed, and transplant, see here.
Below are seeds you can start in March and or are ready to transplant, which are either colder-weather crops, or need a longer start time. The dates are not set in stone, it is a guide of what week may be most preferable to get them started. With a cold/wet spring, waiting a week or two more before seeding is smart.
Needless to say, the start of March is a good time to have seeds on hand, potting soil and small pots – and a sunny window, greenhouse or grow light system on hand. And if you start them later? It’s OK for many crops. And for temperamental ones like broccoli, you always can grow those as a fall crop, where they often fare better than in spring, if you miss the window, or late winter is too warm/cold.
Artichokes:
Start inside first week of March.
Beets:
Direct seed outdoors March 22nd
Sow every 2 weeks direct seed, till summer heat comes.
Cabbage:
Indoors February 7th
Transplant March 18th
Carrots:
Direct seed March 25th to first week April.
Sow every 2 weeks direct seed.
Cauliflower:
Indoors February 8th and on.
Transplant March 15th and on.
Chard:
Start inside in early March.
Collards:
Indoors February 11th
Transplant March 18th
Eggplant:
Indoors March 1st
Direct seed/Transplant May 1st
Herbs:
Indoors mid February to early March.
Transplant late April to mid May.
Plants should be hardened off before setting out in the outdoors, especially Basil.
Kale:
Direct Seed March 15th
Sow every 2 weeks direct seed. Plant by August 1st for fall crops.
Kohlrabi:
Direct Seed March 15th
Sow every 2 weeks direct seed. Plant by August 1st for fall crops.
Lettuce:
Direct seed March 30th
Sow indoors 2 weeks, till summer heat comes. Resume seeding end of July to plant fall crops through mid August.
Onions, from seed:
Green onions can be seeded every few weeks for a continuous crop.
Transplant middle to end of March for first crop.
Onion Sets:
Transplant March 1st and on.
Peas:
Direct seed February 18th to March 8th.
Direct seed August 1st for fall crops.
Sow every 2 weeks direct seed, till summer heat comes. Bush takes less time than tall climbing varieties.
Peppers:
Indoor February 18th to March 22nd
Transplant May 1st to May 10th
Do not direct seed, both hot and bell peppers have a long growing season. For longer growing varieties, start earlier.
Potatoes:
Transplant March 22nd
Transplant July 5th for fall crops
Seed potatoes need about a week of time before planting to be prepped.
Radishes:
Direct seed March 15th
Direct seed August 1st and 15th
Sow every 2 weeks direct seed, till summer heat comes.
Spinach:
Direct seed March 7th
Sow every 2 weeks direct seed, till summer heat comes.
Tomatoes:
Start seeds first week of March and on.
Turnips:
Direct seed March 15th
Sow every 2 weeks direct seed, through mid-August.