Spring Gardening: What to Plant This Month

There is no season quite as full of promise as spring. The air softens, the days stretch longer, and the garden awakens, ready to be nurtured into bloom. March is the perfect time to begin early spring planting, setting the foundation for a season of flourishing flowers, fresh herbs, and homegrown vegetables.

Whether tending a vast garden or a collection of pots on a terrace, spring gardening is about renewal—a quiet, mindful rhythm that reconnects us with nature.

Preparing the Garden for Spring

Before planting, it is essential to refresh the garden after winter’s slumber.

• Clear away any debris from flower beds and planters.
• Prune shrubs and perennials to encourage new growth.
• Turn over the soil and enrich it with compost or organic matter.
• Check gardening tools—sharp pruners, sturdy trowels, and well-maintained gloves make all the difference.
• Plan the layout—sketching a simple map of what will be planted where ensures a well-balanced, thriving garden.

Once the foundation is set, March becomes a time for sowing—planting seeds that will flourish in the weeks ahead.

What to Plant in Early Spring

Spring’s early months are ideal for cool-season flowers, robust herbs, and vegetables that thrive in mild temperatures.

Flowers & Ornamental Plants

• Hellebores – With their elegant, nodding blooms, they bring soft color to early spring gardens.
• Pansies & Violas – Hardy and cheerful, they thrive in cool temperatures.
• Snapdragons – These add height and charm to garden beds.
• Sweet Peas – Fragrant and delicate, best started in early spring for summer blooms.
• Foxgloves – Tall and stately, they lend a romantic, English garden feel to any space.

Planting early-blooming flowers ensures that color returns to the garden as quickly as possible.

Herbs to Plant Now

• Rosemary & Thyme – Hardy and fragrant, perfect for both culinary and decorative use.
• Chives & Parsley – Fresh greens that flourish in the cool spring air.
• Mint – Thrives in containers, bringing freshness to drinks and dishes.
• Lavender – Adds beauty, fragrance, and a touch of French countryside charm.

A small herb garden near the kitchen makes cooking feel even more delightful.

Vegetables for Early Spring

Cool-weather vegetables benefit from March’s mild temperatures, growing strong before the summer heat sets in.

• Lettuce & Spinach – Fast-growing, perfect for early spring salads.
• Radishes – Quick to mature and easy to grow, even in containers.
• Carrots & Beets – Root vegetables that develop their sweetness in cool soil.
• Peas – A classic spring crop, thriving when planted early.
• Cabbage & Kale – Robust greens that withstand late frosts.

Planting these now ensures a season of fresh, homegrown flavors.

Gardening in Containers & Small Spaces

Even without a large garden, spring planting can thrive in pots, raised beds, or window boxes.

• Choose deep containers for root vegetables.
• Use a mix of trailing and upright plants to create visual interest.
• Group pots together for a lush, layered effect.
• Ensure proper drainage and quality soil for healthy growth.

With careful planning, a small-space garden can be just as abundant and rewarding as a sprawling landscape.

The Rhythm of Spring Gardening

Spring gardening is more than planting—it is an act of anticipation, of tending, of watching nature unfold.

• Mornings spent watering seedlings, soft light filtering through new leaves.
• Hands in the earth, the scent of damp soil and fresh greenery in the air.
• The quiet satisfaction of growth—each sprout a small triumph.

As new life emerges in the garden, we are reminded of the beauty of patience, care, and the simple joys of cultivating something from the earth.

Reminders

• Prepare the garden before planting, clearing space and enriching the soil.
• Plant cool-season flowers, vegetables, and herbs for an early spring start.
• Consider small-space gardening—containers, raised beds, and window boxes thrive in spring.
• Tend to plants daily, enjoying the slow, rewarding process of watching them grow.
• Savor the season—spring is fleeting, but its beauty lingers in what we nurture.

I Am Grateful for Today

1. The quiet pleasure of tending a garden, watching new life take root.
2. The scent of fresh soil, the touch of cool earth in early spring.
3. The joy of knowing that something planted today will bloom in the weeks ahead.

From Our House to Yours,
Mrs. Mayfair