March in Florida is the most exciting month in the garden. Right now, you have a narrow window to plant both the last cool-season crops and the first warm-season ones, and the gardeners who time it right get harvests stretching from April through July. After growing commercially here in Central Florida for years, I can tell you that March planting decisions make or break your spring production. Here is exactly what to get in the ground this month, organized by crop type and timing.

The key principle for March 2026 planting in Florida is simple: cool-season crops need to go in immediately because they are racing the heat, while warm-season crops should wait until mid-to-late March after the last realistic frost risk passes. UF/IFAS data confirms that mid-to-late March, preferably after the last full moon of the month, is the sweet spot for planting warm-season vegetables in Central Florida (Zone 9b).

What Cool-Season Crops Can You Still Plant in March in Florida?

You have about two to three weeks left to direct-sow fast-finishing cool-season crops. The goal here is maturity before daily highs consistently exceed 85°F, which typically happens in late April or early May in Central Florida. Focus on varieties with short days-to-harvest.

Lettuce: Stick with bolt-resistant varieties like 'Jericho' or 'Muir.' Direct-sow now and you will harvest baby leaf in 30 days. I wrote about hydroponic options in our hydroponic lettuce guide if you want to extend your lettuce season indoors.
Radishes: The fastest crop in the garden. 'Cherry Belle' and 'French Breakfast' mature in 22-28 days. Plant them in every open space you have.
Cilantro: Direct-sow now for a final spring harvest. It will bolt by mid-April, so succession-plant every ten days. For year-round cilantro, check out our cilantro microgreens guide.
Snap peas: If you have not planted them yet, March 1 is your absolute deadline in Central Florida. Choose 'Sugar Ann' for the fastest maturity at 52 days.
Broccoli and cauliflower: Only transplants, not seeds. You needed to start seeds in January. If you have transplants ready, get them in immediately.

What Warm-Season Vegetables Should You Plant in March?

This is where March really shines. Once nighttime temperatures stay reliably above 55°F, typically around mid-March, you can plant the warm-season crops that will produce through early summer.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are your highest-value spring crop, but variety selection matters enormously in Florida. Standard supermarket varieties will fail in our heat and humidity. Choose Florida-adapted, heat-tolerant varieties:

'Solar Fire' — Developed by UF/IFAS specifically for Florida conditions. Sets fruit reliably even when temperatures climb above 90°F.
'Heatmaster' — Another UF-bred variety with excellent heat-set and disease resistance to Fusarium races 1, 2, and 3.
'Everglades' — A naturalized cherry tomato perfectly adapted to Florida. Produces an abundance of intensely flavored tiny tomatoes and self-seeds prolifically.
'Sun Gold' — A heat-tolerant cherry variety with exceptional sweetness. One of the most reliable producers in our trials.
'Sweet 100' — Another cherry tomato that handles Florida summers better than most slicers.

Transplant tomatoes in mid-to-late March. Stake or cage them immediately. In Florida, bacterial spot and early blight are your biggest enemies — space plants at least 24 inches apart for airflow and mulch heavily to prevent soil splash.

Peppers

Peppers love Florida heat even more than tomatoes. Transplant now and they will produce from May through October.

Sweet: 'California Wonder,' 'Red Knight,' 'Cubanelle,' and 'Giant Marconi'
Hot: 'Early Jalapeño,' 'Datil' (a Northeast Florida specialty with complex fruity heat), 'Habanero,' and 'Scotch Bonnet'

Cucumbers and Squash

Direct-sow cucumbers and summer squash in mid-to-late March. They germinate fast in warm soil and produce within 50-60 days. Plant bush varieties if space is limited. Trellising cucumbers vertically improves airflow and reduces downy mildew pressure.

Beans

Both bush beans and pole beans go in now. Direct-sow after the last frost risk — they do not transplant well. 'Contender' bush beans produce in 49 days and handle heat better than most varieties. Southern peas (cowpeas, black-eyed peas) are the most heat-tolerant legume and can be planted from March through August.

What Herbs Thrive When Planted in Florida in March?

March is herb-planting season in Florida. Nearly every culinary herb performs well when transplanted now. I covered herb growing in detail in our Florida herb growing guide, but here is the quick list for March planting:

Basil: The undisputed king of Florida spring herbs. Plant 'Genovese' for classic pesto, 'Thai' for Southeast Asian cooking, or 'African Blue' for a perennial option. Our basil microgreens guide covers the micro version.
Rosemary: Transplant now. It loves Florida's sandy, well-drained soil once established.
Mint: Plant in containers only — it will take over your garden bed. Spearmint and chocolate mint both thrive here.
Lemongrass: A Florida superstar. Plant divisions now and they will form massive clumps by summer. Mosquito-repellent bonus.
Oregano and thyme: Both prefer well-drained conditions. Raised beds or containers work best in Florida.

How Do You Prepare Florida Soil for Spring Planting?

Florida soil — and I use that term loosely since most of us are gardening in sugar sand — needs serious amendment before spring planting. Here is my proven approach:

Test your soil pH. Florida sand is often acidic (pH 5.5-6.0). Most vegetables prefer 6.0-6.8. Add dolomitic lime if needed — it also supplies calcium and magnesium.
Add organic matter. Mix in 3-4 inches of quality compost. This is the single most impactful thing you can do for Florida sand. It improves water retention, nutrient holding capacity, and microbial activity.
Mulch immediately after planting. Florida sun bakes bare soil. A 3-inch layer of straw, leaves, or pine bark keeps roots cool and retains moisture. This is non-negotiable.
Install drip irrigation. Overhead watering in Florida promotes foliar disease. Drip irrigation delivers water to roots where it is needed and keeps leaves dry. Our water conservation guide covers irrigation strategies in depth.

What Is the Best Planting Schedule for March 2026 in Florida?

Here is a week-by-week planting calendar for March 2026 in Central Florida:

Week 1 (March 1-7): Final direct-sowing of cool-season crops (lettuce, radishes, cilantro). Start warm-season seeds indoors if you have not already. Transplant established herb seedlings.

Week 2 (March 8-14): Transplant tomatoes and peppers if nighttime lows are consistently above 55°F. Direct-sow beans in warm soil. Plant sweet potato slips.

Week 3 (March 15-21): Direct-sow cucumbers, squash, and melons. Transplant eggplant. This is the sweet spot for most warm-season plantings.

Week 4 (March 22-31): Final succession planting of beans and squash. Direct-sow okra and southern peas. Plant tropical herbs like lemongrass and Thai basil.

What Flowers Should You Plant in Florida in March for Pollinators?

Do not forget flowers — they are not just decorative. Pollinator plants directly increase your vegetable yields. March is perfect for:

Sunflowers: Direct-sow now. They germinate in 7-10 days and attract bees by the hundreds. Our sunflower microgreens guide covers the edible micro version.
Zinnias: The best cut flower for Florida. Heat-tolerant, deer-resistant, and beloved by butterflies.
Marigolds: Plant them as companions near tomatoes and peppers. Research suggests they suppress root-knot nematodes, a significant Florida pest.
Black-eyed Susans and Coreopsis: Native Florida wildflowers that provide season-long pollinator support with minimal care.
Pentas: A butterfly magnet that blooms nonstop from spring through fall in Florida.

For more on edible flowers, see our edible flowers guide.

How Do You Protect Spring Plantings from Late Florida Frosts?

Yes, March frosts still happen in North and Central Florida. The risk is small but real, especially in the first two weeks. Here is how to protect tender transplants:

Monitor the forecast daily. Frost risk drops dramatically after March 15 in Central Florida and after March 25 in North Florida.
Keep row cover fabric on hand. A single layer of floating row cover provides 2-4°F of frost protection.
Water soil thoroughly before a cold night. Moist soil releases stored heat overnight and moderates root zone temperatures.
Use walls of water or milk jugs filled with water around tomato transplants. The thermal mass protects individual plants effectively.

March is the month when Florida gardens transform from quiet to productive. Get your timing right, choose the right varieties, and work with our unique climate instead of against it. The effort you invest this month pays dividends through the entire growing season. Happy planting!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it too late to plant tomatoes in March in Florida?

No — March is actually the ideal time to transplant tomatoes in Central and South Florida. Choose heat-tolerant varieties like Solar Fire, Heatmaster, or Everglades. Transplant in mid-to-late March after nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 55°F. In North Florida, wait until mid-March to be safe from late frost.

What vegetables grow fastest in Florida spring?

Radishes (22-28 days), baby lettuce (30 days), bush beans (49 days), and cucumbers (50-60 days) are the fastest producers. Radishes are the undisputed speed champion and can be succession-planted every two weeks for continuous harvest.

Can you plant cool-season crops in March in Florida?

Yes, but only fast-maturing varieties in early March. Lettuce, radishes, cilantro, and snap peas can still be direct-sown in the first week of March. They must reach maturity before consistent 85°F+ days arrive in late April or early May. Slower crops like broccoli and cauliflower should only go in as transplants, not seeds.

How often should you water newly planted vegetables in Florida in March?

Water newly transplanted vegetables daily for the first week, then transition to every 2-3 days as roots establish. Direct-sown seeds need consistently moist soil until germination. Once established, most vegetables need about 1-1.5 inches of water per week. Drip irrigation is far superior to overhead watering in Florida because it reduces foliar disease pressure.