Late March Garden To-Do List
Daylight Saving Time is here! The spring equinox is this week! And March has been teasing us with warm, sunny days, making it tempting to go all in on planting. But if there’s one thing we know about Tennessee weather, it’s that it can turn on a dime. Late frosts are still possible, which means tender seedlings and early blossoms (looking at you, blueberries) need some extra attention. Here’s how to keep your garden thriving as we transition into true spring.
Planting: It’s Go Time!
It’s officially time to direct sow and transplant your cool-season veggies:
🌱 Direct Sow:
Root Crops: Carrots, beets, radishes, turnips
Greens: Lettuce, spinach, arugula, Swiss chard (we also like to transplant these)
Legumes: Sugar snap peas, fava beans
Herbs: Cilantro, dill, parsley (transplants are OK, too!)
🥦 Transplant:
Brassicas: Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale
Alliums: Onions, leeks, scallions
Strawberries: Get them in the ground now for sweet early summer berries!
🌸 Flowers:
Hardy Annuals: Snapdragons, calendula, sweet peas, bachelor’s buttons
Perennials: Echinacea, rudbeckia, yarrow
🌿 Warm-Season Crops (Don’t be tempted)
We’re getting close, but it’s still too early for tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers.
Hydration Is Key
🌞 Warm, sunny days = thirsty seedlings. As we get closer to April, temperatures can soar, and young plants dry out quickly. Stay ahead of the game:
✔ Check soil moisture daily, especially for new plantings.
✔ Water deeply in the morning to give plants what they need for the day.
✔ Irrigation check-in: Make sure hoses, drip lines, and timers are working properly. Replace batteries if needed so you are set for the season.
Frost Watch: Protecting Tender Growth
So many trees burst onto bloom this week, but late frosts are still possible, and they can damage both tender seedlings and early fruit blossoms (looking at you, blueberries!). Here’s how to be prepared:
✔ If blueberries or fruit trees have open blossoms, Cover with frost cloth or row covers on nights below 32°F to protect your future harvest.
✔ Have frost protection ready for any warm-season plants you jumped the gun on.
✔ Check the forecast! Sudden cold snaps can sneak up in late March.
Seed Starting for Summer
🍅 While it’s too early to plant tomatoes outside, it’s a great time to start tomatoes seeds indoors to get a head start on the summer garden. Peppers, eggplant, and summer flowers like zinnias, cosmos, and gomphrena, too!
Other Late March Tasks
🧑🌾 Weed early & often – Get ahead of fast-growing spring weeds before they take over.
💚 Compost & soil health – Spread another layer of compost where needed to keep plants fed.
✂ Prune & deadhead – Remove dead or damaged branches from perennials and berry bushes. If oregano, thyme, sage, and rosemary are looking dry and brown, give them a couple more weeks to come alive before you give up and replace them.
🐝 Attract pollinators – Let some herbs and early flowers bloom to invite bees & butterflies.
Final Thoughts
March is one of the most exciting times in the garden—seeds are sprouting, transplants are settling in, and before you know it, your beds will be bursting with life! Stay flexible, watch the weather, and enjoy the thrill of a new growing season.
