WHAT TO PLANT IN MARCH
March is here, and if you're feeling overwhelmed by all the advice on what to plant right now, you’re not alone. With so many recommendations from magazines, TV, and online sources, it can be hard to know where to start.
I’ve spent years testing and recommending plants that thrive, so you don’t have to waste time on trial and error. In this guide, I’ll share five superb plants to sow or grow in March—plants that bring flavor, color, and biodiversity to your garden. If you want to get growing without the guesswork, look no further.
Cavolo Nero Kale
A hardy, multi-functional vegetable, Cavolo Nero, also known as Tuscan kale or black kale, is one of the most rewarding greens you can grow. It has long, crinkled, deep green leaves with a striking blackish hue, making it both an ornamental and productive plant in the garden.
Why grow Cavolo Nero?
Easy to grow from seed sown in spring or summer
Tolerates frost, cold, and even snow, making it a fantastic winter crop
Leaves develop a sweeter flavor after a frost
Packed with vitamins and minerals for soups, stir-fries, and salads
Rather than pulling up the whole plant, strip off the lower leaves as needed to keep the plant producing for longer. If you have pigeons in your area, net your plants early to prevent them from getting stripped bare.
Cavolo Nero is an essential crop if you want a reliable, good-looking, and nutrient-rich green that lasts through the seasons.
Cerinthe Major (Honeywort)
A beautiful, pollinator-friendly flower. Cerinthe Major, also known as Honeywort, is an underrated yet powerful addition to the garden. With its silvery-blue foliage, arching stems, and purple-blue bracts surrounding its flowers, it’s both striking and incredibly attractive to pollinators.
Why grow Cerinthe Major?
Bees love it - one of the best nectar-rich plants for a wildlife-friendly garden
Super easy to grow from seed, either in autumn or early spring
Tough and resilient, tolerating wind and poor soil
Self-seeds freely but not aggressively, giving you free plants year after year
You can sow Cerinthe Major directly into the soil or start it in pots under cover to give it a head start. If you haven’t grown it before, you’re missing out on a beautiful, low-maintenance, and pollinator-friendly plant.
Helenium
A late summer showstopper. If you want fiery, long-lasting blooms in your garden, Helenium is the way to go. These daisy-like flowers come in rich shades of red, orange, and golden yellow, bringing warmth and vibrancy to borders just as other flowers start to fade.
Why grow Helenium?
Blooms in late summer when many plants have finished flowering
Nectar-rich flowers attract bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects
Provides height and structure in flower beds without being too tall
Helenium can be grown from seed, but for a quicker start, consider planting young plants or bare-root varieties in early spring. They establish quickly and are a more affordable way to fill your garden with stunning perennials.
Jerusalem Artichokes (Sunchokes)
Jerusalem artichokes, or sunchokes, are an easy-to-grow root crop with edible tubers that have a nutty flavor, perfect for roasting, mashing, or soups.
Why grow Jerusalem artichokes?
Hardy and productive, thriving with minimal care
Tubers store well in the soil, so you can harvest as needed
Above-ground, they grow into tall plants (up to two meters) with bright yellow daisy-like flowers that attract pollinators
March is the perfect time to plant sunchokes. Simply bury the tubers 10-15 cm deep and space them about 30-40 cm apart. They’ll grow all summer, giving you a generous harvest in autumn. Just be mindful that they spread easily, so plant them in a contained space or a raised bed.
Parsley ‘Giant of Napoli / Italy’
Parsley is a garden staple, but if you want the best variety, go for Italian Giant (Napoli Giant) parsley. It produces lush, deep green leaves with an incredible flavor and is hardier than standard parsley varieties.
Why grow Italian Giant Parsley?
Large, abundant foliage packed with rich flavor
Thrives in garden beds, containers, and even window boxes
Handles cold weather well, producing leaves through winter
Starting parsley from seed takes patience, as it’s slow to germinate. The seeds have a natural germination inhibitor in their coating, so soaking them overnight before sowing speeds up the process. Once established, Italian Giant parsley is vigorous and long-lasting.
A tip from experience—allow some plants to flower in their second year. Parsley is a biennial, and its airy flower heads are a valuable food source for pollinators like hoverflies and bees. Plus, you can collect the seeds for future sowing.
So There You Have It!…
March is a fantastic time to start sowing and planting, but choosing the right plants makes all the difference. These five top picks—Cavolo Nero kale, Cerinthe Major, Helenium, Jerusalem artichokes, and Italian Giant parsley offer beauty, biodiversity, and productivity with minimal effort.
Before you dive in, make sure you’re avoiding common gardening mistakes that could set you back. Check out my guide to the biggest March gardening mistakes and how to avoid them.