Gardening in a Cold Climate: Tackling March in New England
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March in New England is a fascinating contradiction. As the coast of Connecticut and Rhode Island beckons early spring sun seekers, the upper regions of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine bask in the thrill of some of winter's best skiing. The rest of New England embraces the unofficial fifth season - Mud Season.
Active gardeners, no matter their location, find March the perfect time to get in touch with their spring gardens. To succeed in gardening across the Northeast, a comprehensive understanding of your USDA hardiness zone, last frost date, garden soil preparation, suitable plants, and handling unpredictable weather is crucial.
New England's diverse geography provides an ideal environment for a vibrant array of plants. To make your garden shine, our hand-picked selection of resilient shrubs, perennials, and annuals will be sure to turn heads.
Uncovering New England's March Climate
New England is nestled between the northern suburbs of New York City and New Brunswick, Canada. Comprising six states - Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine - its climate spans USDA zones from a temperate 7a along the Connecticut coast to a chilly 4a in northern Maine (and even colder in the mountain peaks!).
From these zone differences, we can learn that northern regions experience extremely low winter temperatures as low as -25°F, while southern New England's average minimum temperatures rarely drop below 0°F. This knowledge is essential for proper garden planning.
Knowing the last frost date within your region is equally crucial. For southern Massachusetts, it's as early as April 16, while in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom, it's June 5. This 45-day difference significantly impacts garden planning.
Even with late frost dates in April, some areas of New England can still plant during March. However, soil preparation is of utmost importance. Much of New England's soil is either frozen or in the process of thawing in March. Thanks to its naturally rocky terrain, the soil can be quite soggy and muddy. Before beginning any planting, test your soil's moisture by squeezing a handful. If it stays clumped, your soil is too wet. If you must plant, work organic matter like compost into your soil to improve drainage. Soil in raised beds drains better and warms sooner, contributing to better germination and plant growth.
With the lingering cold temperatures and frozen or soggy ground, March may seem devoted to garden planning, indoor seed-starting, and preparation. Depending on your location within New England, some outdoor planting might still be possible. The following section will cover both options.
Ready, Set, Grow: March's Vegetables and Herbs
Early March is the opportune time to start seeds indoors for warm-weather summer vegetables that will thrive when outdoor temperatures consistently reach above 50°F at night.
Here's a list of warm-weather vegetables, herbs, onions, and leeks that can be started indoors in March:
- Basil
- Cilantro
- Cucumbers
- Eggplant
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Peppers
- Summer squashes
- Tomatoes
- Onions (long-growing season crops)
- Leeks (long-growing season crops)
Cold-Weather Crops: Ready to Venture Outdoors
For those in southerly regions of New England, March presents the chance to sow a few cold-weather crops directly into the garden. As the soil becomes workable, you can plant:
- Beets
- Peas
- Radishes
- Spinach
Don't forget that planting peas on St. Patrick's Day is an old tradition to ensure a bountiful harvest!
Don't be discouraged by the frosty weather - in the warmth of your own home, you can nurture plants through the winter and bring them outside when the time is right.
Gorgeous Flowers in the March Garden
There may not be a lot of options for flowering plants in March, but there are colorful signs of life popping up from previously planted trees, shrubs, bulbs, and perennials like:
- Crocus
- Forsythia
- Hellebore
- Snowdrops
- Witch hazel
Now is the perfect time to plant these for a full season of growth, whether in your garden or fall containers. For those desiring summer colors, the seeds of annuals such as marigolds, zinnias, sunflowers, cosmos, pansies, and snapdragons can be started indoors for a brilliant array of flowers once the last frost has passed.
Don't forget that pansies and snapdragons can handle a touch of snow and even a chilly snack! If super-cold weather is imminent, tuck them indoors or somewhere protected, like a sunny garage.
Fruitful Endeavors: Berries and Trees
Ready to take your garden to the next level? March is the ideal time to plant fruit trees like apples, cherries, and pears, as well as berry bushes such as raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries.
Strawberries can also be planted in late March, and while you may get a crop of berries from June-bearing strawberries, everbearing strawberries will guarantee a longer harvest.
Tips for a Successful New England March Garden
No matter your urgency to get your hands dirty, take these simple steps to ready your garden for the growing season ahead:
- Prepare Your Soil: Freeing frozen soil helps air circulation, encourage earthworms, and support plant growth. Add compost to enrich your soil if necessary, and consider amending your soil's pH if it's too acidic, neutral, or alkaline.
- Mulch Planting Beds: Mulch helps control weeds and retain moisture, which can ease watering in the hotter months ahead. If you spot frost-damaged plants, apply mulch to help combat the cold.
- Clean Up Your Garden: Cut away dead foliage and spent flowers to reduce sucking on valuable resources and encourage healthy spring growth. Fallen leaves can harbor disease, so clean those up as well.
- Watch for Frost Risk: Keep an eye on the weather forecast as frost can still strike in March, even in southerly regions. If a freeze is predicted, protect your tender plants by moving them indoors or under some form of covering.
So, take a deep breath, savor the peace before the gardening storm, and embrace all the potential your March garden has to offer. Happy gardening!
More Growing Inspiration
- Explore the best plants suited for New England gardens in our dedicated shop.
- Get growing with the top flowers you should start in March for a vibrant summer garden.
- Find inspiration from the 8 best vegetables to plant in March, starting your bountiful harvest early!
- Spruce up your outdoor spaces with the 10 best flowers for hanging baskets.
- Looking for a growing challenge? Try your hand at rare or unusual edible plants like Japanese Wineberry or Ascarina, known for their exotic looks and delicious taste.
- To prepare for a vibrant home-and-garden lifestyle in New England, it is crucial to be aware of the diverse USDA hardiness zones and frost dates across the region, as they have a significant impact on successful gardening.
- With the right understanding of soil preparation, suitable plants, and handling unpredictable weather, New England gardens can showcase a beautiful array of resilient shrubs, perennials, annuals, and even fruit trees, setting the scene for an exceptional lifestyle and home-and-garden experience.
