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What to Plant in March in Arizona

March is a race against the heat in the low desert garden. With warm temperatures ahead, knowing what to plant in March in Arizona is key to getting warm-season crops established before summer arrives. If you plant too late, many crops will struggle once the heat sets in—so don’t wait!

This month, you can plant fast-growing vegetables like squash and cucumbers, heat-loving crops like okra and peppers, and staple herbs like basil and oregano. If you’re growing in containers, now is also a great time to set up oyas or irrigation to keep your plants evenly watered as temperatures rise.

Whether you’re direct seeding, transplanting, or refreshing your garden beds, March is one of the busiest planting months of the year. Keep reading for a full list of what to plant in March in Arizona, along with tips to help your garden thrive.

For a detailed planting calendar and month-by-month guidance, check out my Arizona Planting Calendars and Guides.

I have a blog post like this for each month of the year. You can do this, I’ll help! For those in the low desert areas (below 3,500 feet), such as Phoenix or Tucson, this guide will help you confidently garden during the cooler months.

Tip: If you’re looking for garden tasks to do this month, see the Arizona Garden in March blog post and printable checklist.

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Article Outline:

• March YouTube videos
• Garden Harvests in March
• What to do before you plant this March
• Vegetables, Herbs & Fruit to plant in the low desert in March
• Vegetable, herb, and fruit seeds to start indoors during March
• Flowers to plant in the low desert in March
• Flower seeds to start indoors in the low desert in March
• How to Maximize Your Harvest
• What About Overwintered Peppers, Eggplants, and Tomatoes?

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March YouTube Videos

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Garden Harvests in March

While you prep for spring in your low desert Arizona garden, enjoy this month’s harvests of cool-season vegetables, herbs, fruit, and flowers.

Asparagus harvests begin in late February and continue throughout March. Harvest stalks that are at least ¼ inch in diameter. Let smaller stalks grow through the summer to give energy to the roots.

If you aren’t growing asparagus, consider dedicating a 4 foot by 4 foot raised bed for growing it. Plant asparagus November through February in the low desert of Arizona. 

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What to do before you plant this March in Arizona

To prepare your garden for new plants, add about 4 cups of worm castings to each 4×8 bed, then top off the beds with compost or raised bed mix to replace the organic matter used last season. Keep feeding worms in any in-bed vermicomposting bins to maximize casting production and microbial life in your beds.

After that, inspect your watering system. Fix leaks or clogged emitters and ensure every area of the bed is getting water. Time how long it takes to reach 12 inches deep—this will guide you on how long to water each session.

I use the garden grids from Garden in Minutes in my raised beds. (Use code Angela10 to save $10 off $100 or GITG5 to save 5 percent on any size order.)

Monitor Your Soil Temperature

Use a thermometer (this is the one I use) to check several spots at the depth where seeds or roots will be planted, leaving it in place for a few minutes each time. Do this in the mornings for about a week to see if temperatures are consistently within the ideal ranges for your chosen crops:

• 55°F (13°C) – Corn, Tomatoes
• 65°F (18°C) – Cucumbers, Peppers
• 70°F (21°C) – Beans, Melons, Squash
• 75°F (24°C) – Pumpkin, Okra, Eggplant

Get more details about how to check your soil temperature in this guide.

Want more information about gardening in Arizona? This blog post shares seven tips for how to grow a vegetable garden in Arizona. 

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Vegetables, Herbs & Fruit to plant in the low desert in March

After March 15th

(Click the links to read “How to Grow” articles on my website.)

SEED, TRANSPLANT, OR BOTH? S = Seed T= Transplant

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Vegetable, Herb, and Fruit Planting Guide for the Low Desert of Arizona

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Vegetable, herb, and fruit seeds to start indoors during March

If you want an early jump on summer favorites, starting seeds indoors can give them a head start before the soil outside is warm enough. For more details, check out my guide on how to start seeds indoors. If you prefer direct sowing, many crops can go straight into the ground once outdoor temperatures and soil conditions are right.

(Click the link for seed sources.)

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Perpetual Vegetable, Fruit & Herb Calendar shows you when to plant vegetables in the low desert of Arizona and whether to plant seeds or transplants. See it in my shop.

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Flowers to plant in the low desert in March

Don’t forget the flowers (even if you think of yourself as just a vegetable gardener). Pick a couple from these lists. You’ll love the beauty and pollinators they add to your garden.

(Click the link to read “How to Grow” articles on my website.)

SEED, TRANSPLANT, OR BOTH? S = Seed T= Transplant

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Plant New Roses

Plant roses in March to give them time to establish strong roots before the summer heat arrives. I get mine from Heirloom Roses—take a look at my favorites and use this discount code GARDENAZ20 through 2025 for a 20% discount.

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Flower seeds to start indoors in the low desert in March

Want to get a jump start on summer flowers? Start some of these flowers indoors now.

(Click the link for seed sources.)

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The Perpetual Annual Flower Planting Calendar, available in my shop, helps you learn when to plant flowers in the low desert of Arizona and whether to plant seeds or transplants.

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How to Maximize Your Harvest

To make the most of our short spring season, give warm-season crops the sunniest spots in your garden. When planting in March, proper spacing is key—crowded plants compete for nutrients and water, so thin seedlings early and often. Water consistently at first to help seeds and transplants establish, then gradually transition to deeper, less frequent watering to encourage strong roots. Add mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. These simple steps will help your plants thrive and maximize your harvest before the heat arrives.

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What About Overwintered Peppers, Eggplants, and Tomatoes?

If you’ve successfully overwintered these plants, they’re already ahead of the game. After your last frost date, check their health. If they have sturdy stems and new growth, prune back any damaged areas to just above where new growth is visible—this signals the plant to start growing. Fertilize to give them the nutrients they need to recover and thrive.

Read the complete guide to pruning peppers, tomatoes, and eggplants after winter here.

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