March in the Garden – Jackson, TN (Zone 7b)

Spring is waking up in West Tennessee, and March is one of the busiest months in the garden! Here’s a simple, region‑ready guide to help you know what to plant, what to prune, and what to prep this month.

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Vegetable & Herb Garden

Cool‑season crops can go in now:

• Direct sow kale, radishes, and sorrel between March 11–25.
• You can also plant lettuce, cabbage, collards, onion sets, brussels sprouts, broccoli, carrots, spinach, kale, mustard greens, radishes, turnips, peas, and beets this month.

Start indoors:

• Herbs like sage continue well indoors through early March.
• Keep seedlings under strong light and begin light fertilizing as they grow.

Prep for warm‑season crops:

• Our average last frost in Jackson is April 8—but waiting until around April 22 is safest for tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.

Flower Beds & Ornamentals

• Cool‑tolerant annuals like pansies, violas, and dianthus can handle March temperature swings.
• Cut back ornamental grasses and any dead perennial stems before new growth gets in the way.
• Divide and replant crowded perennials once they emerge.
• Inspect roses for damage and prune now, then fertilize and mulch.

Trees, Shrubs & Fruit

• Finish planting dormant trees and shrubs.
• Fertilize established fruit trees this month if you haven’t already.

General Garden Chores

• Clean out beds and refresh mulch to keep weeds down.
• Flip or start a compost pile.
• Watch for early pests like aphids on roses.
• If temps stay above 65°F for a few days, you can apply a pre‑emergent weed control.

Sources

These trustworthy resources helped shape our regional March gardening guidance:

• Old Farmer’s Almanac – Jackson, TN Gardening Tasks [almanac.com]
• UT Extension – Tennessee Home Fruit & Vegetable Garden Calendar
• https://uthort.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/228/2024/01/W436-2024.pdf
• (super reliable statewide frost dates + crop timing) [uthort.tennessee.edu]