UK Gardening

Vegetable Planting Schedule in March in UK

By Parvez Akhtar Pasha | Mar 01, 2025

Vegetable Planting Schedule in March in UK

Since it is not that warm in many regions of the UK, March is an early planting month. Besides, there is always the concern about frost risk. As the weather varies greatly from location to location, you must follow a custom vegetable planting schedule for your particular location. In this article, you will find vegetable planting schedules for March based on different regions of the UK.

Here are all the regions I will discuss.

  • Southern England (London, Kent, Cornwall, Devon, etc.)
  • Midlands (Birmingham, Nottingham, Leicester, etc.)
  • Northern England & Scotland (Manchester, Yorkshire, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow, etc.)
  • Wales & West Coast (Cardiff, Swansea, Liverpool, Cumbria, West Scotland, etc.)
  • Highlands & Northern Scotland (Aberdeen, Inverness, Shetland, Orkney, etc.)

Planting Schedule in March in Southern England

Some of these vegetables need more heat to grow, such as Peppers and Aubergines. Southern England has the lowest frost risk compared to the rest of the region.

Names Way of Planting Soil Type Transplanting Time (from sowing) Harvesting Time
Tomatoes Indoors (modules) Loamy, well-drained 6-8 weeks (Late May-June) July-October
Peppers Indoors (heated) Loamy, well-drained 8-10 weeks (May-June) July-October
Leeks Indoors (modules) Moist, well-drained 8-10 weeks (May-June) October-March
Brussels Sprouts Indoors (modules) Firm, fertile 6-8 weeks (May-June) October-March
Carrots Outdoors (direct sow) Light, sandy N/A July-September
Peas Outdoors (direct sow) Moist, well-drained N/A June-August
Onion Sets Outdoors (direct sow) Light, well-drained N/A July-September
Spinach Outdoors (direct sow) Moist, fertile N/A May-September
Lettuce Indoors (modules) or Outdoors (direct sow) Moist, well-drained 4-6 weeks (April-May) May-September
Broccoli Indoors (modules) Firm, fertile 6-8 weeks (May-June) August-November
Radishes Outdoors (direct sow) Light, well-drained N/A April-June
Cauliflower Indoors (modules) Firm, fertile 6-8 weeks (May-June) September-November
Beetroot Outdoors (direct sow) Light, well-drained N/A June-October

However, late frosts can still happen in March and even into April, which can damage tender young plants.

Planting Schedule in March in Midlands

This region is warmer than the north, but cooler than Southern England. So you need to protect through early crops with fleece or cloches. Avoid transplanting tender crops too soon.

Here, the frost risk is medium. But you have to be careful.

Names Way of Planting Soil Type Transplanting Time (from sowing) Harvesting Time
Tomatoes Indoors (modules) Loamy, well-drained 6-8 weeks (Late May-June) July-October
Peppers Indoors (heated) Loamy, well-drained 8-10 weeks (May-June) July-October
Leeks Indoors (modules) Moist, well-drained 8-10 weeks (May-June) October-March
Brussels Sprouts Indoors (modules) Firm, fertile 6-8 weeks (May-June) October-March
Carrots Outdoors (direct sow) Light, sandy N/A July-September
Peas Outdoors (direct sow) Moist, well-drained N/A June-August
Onion Sets Outdoors (direct sow) Well-drained, fertile N/A July-September
Spinach Outdoors (direct sow) Moist, fertile N/A May-September
Lettuce Indoors (modules) or Outdoors (direct sow) Moist, well-drained 4-6 weeks (April-May) May-September
Broccoli Indoors (modules) Firm, fertile 6-8 weeks (May-June) August-November
Radishes Outdoors (direct sow) Light, well-drained N/A April-June
Cauliflower Indoors (modules) Firm, fertile 6-8 weeks (May-June) September-November
Beetroot Outdoors (direct sow) Light, well-drained N/A June-October

Tomatoes and peppers need more heat to grow well, so you should plant them indoors or in a heated greenhouse.

Planting Schedule in March in Northern England & Scotland

For planting in this particular region, I would recommend a heated space such as a greenhouse. Also, you can use fleece or cloches.

Names Way of Planting Soil Type Transplanting Time (from sowing) Harvesting Time
Tomatoes Indoors (heated) Loamy, well-drained 8-10 weeks (June) August-October
Peppers Indoors (heated) Loamy, well-drained 8-10 weeks (June) August-October
Leeks Indoors (modules) Moist, well-drained 8-10 weeks (June) October-March
Brussels Sprouts Indoors (modules) Firm, fertile 6-8 weeks (May-June) October-March
Carrots Outdoors (direct sow) Light, sandy N/A August-September
Peas Outdoors (direct sow) Moist, well-drained N/A July-August
Early Potatoes Outdoors (direct sow) Light, well-drained N/A July-August
Spinach Outdoors (direct sow) Moist, fertile N/A June-September
Lettuce Indoors (modules) or Outdoors (direct sow) Moist, well-drained 4-6 weeks (April-May) June-September
Broccoli Indoors (modules) Firm, fertile 6-8 weeks (May-June) August-November
Radishes Outdoors (direct sow) Light, well-drained N/A May-July
Cauliflower Indoors (modules) Firm, fertile 6-8 weeks (May-June) September-November
Beetroot Outdoors (direct sow) Light, well-drained N/A June-October

Frost Risk is High in this particular region. So you need to take proper precautions to protect the young plants.

Planting Schedule in March in Wales & West Coast

Here the Frost Risk is medium. Although, you have to be prepared for the worst.

Names Way of Planting Soil Type Transplanting Time (from sowing) Harvesting Time
Tomatoes Indoors (heated) Loamy, well-drained 8-10 weeks (June) August-October
Peppers Indoors (heated) Loamy, well-drained 8-10 weeks (June) August-October
Cabbage Indoors (modules) Firm, fertile 4-6 weeks (May-June) July-October
Leeks Indoors (modules) Moist, well-drained 8-10 weeks (May-June) October-March
Peas Outdoors (direct sow) Moist, well-drained N/A July-August
Radishes Outdoors (direct sow) Light, well-drained N/A May-July
Early Potatoes Outdoors (direct sow) Light, well-drained N/A July-August
Spinach Outdoors (direct sow) Moist, fertile N/A June-September
Lettuce Outdoors (direct sow) Light, fertile N/A May-September
Broccoli Indoors (modules) Firm, well-drained 6-8 weeks (May-June) September-November
Beetroot Outdoors (direct sow) Light, fertile N/A June-October

Remember Waterlogged soil can damage plant roots, leading to poor growth and disease. Improving drainage helps create healthy, well-aerated soil for better plant development.

Planting Schedule in March in Highlands & Northern Scotland

Since the weather is too harsh for growing vegetables in this region, wait until April to plant outside. Use a heated greenhouse if possible.

Names Way of Planting Soil Type Transplanting Time (from sowing) Harvesting Time
Tomatoes Indoors (heated greenhouse) Loamy, well-drained 8-10 weeks (June) August-October
Peppers Indoors (heated greenhouse) Loamy, well-drained 8-10 weeks (June) August-October
Leeks Indoors (modules) Moist, well-drained 8-10 weeks (June) October-March
Cabbage Indoors (modules) Firm, fertile 4-6 weeks (June) September-October
Broad Beans Outdoors (under cloches) Moist, well-drained N/A July-August
Onion Sets Outdoors (covered) Light, well-drained N/A July-September
Carrots Outdoors (direct sow, under fleece) Light, sandy N/A August-September
Spinach Outdoors (covered) Moist, well-drained N/A June-August
Turnips Outdoors (direct sow) Light, well-drained N/A July-September
Parsnips Outdoors (direct sow) Deep, sandy N/A October-February

Frost Risk is Very High in this particular region. Make sure you take steps to protect your plants from this.

Parvez Akhtar Pasha

Parvez Akhtar Pasha

Hi, I am Parvez Akhtar Pasha. I was in school when I first saw a plant grow from a seed. Over the years, I have gained a lot of experience in gardening, and I will gradually share it with you here.

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