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.
