Bishy Barnabee’s Cottage Garden

Sow in March

The first big sowing month — the garden wakes up

What to sow in March
Flower seedsAnnuals & perennialsVeg seedsFrom salad to squashHerb seedsKitchen and gardenDirect sowingStraight in the soilPollinator friendlyBees & butterfliesUnder £2.50Stock up favourites
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Tarragon Russian by Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden is being chopped on a wooden cutting board, with a knife, kitchen towel, olive oil bottle, and mortar and pestle nearby on a kitchen counter by a window.
Herb Seeds

Tarragon Russian

Russian Tarragon Seeds Incredibly vigorous and resilient, this…

Sow: Mar–May
£2.00 View
In a bright kitchen, a person in a dark sweater strips fresh Thyme Common from Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden onto a wooden cutting board next to a knife and mixing bowl, with shelves and kitchen items visible in the background.
Herb Seeds

Thyme Common

Common Thyme Seeds The robust culinary workhorse of…

Sow: Feb–Apr
£2.00 View
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Sowing in March — your questions answered

What can I sow outdoors in March?

From mid-March onwards, hardy annuals like cornflowers, calendula, ammi, and nigella can go direct into prepared soil. Vegetable seeds for broad beans, peas, parsnips, lettuce, and early carrots also start to germinate as the soil warms. Wait until the soil is workable — if it sticks to your boots in clods, leave it another week or two.

What should I sow indoors in March?

Half-hardy annuals like cosmos, zinnias, and tithonia benefit from being started under cover in March. Tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, and basil all need this head start to crop reliably. Use heated propagation if available, or a warm windowsill. Half-hardy plants must not go outside until late May once the risk of frost has passed.

Is it too early to sow tender plants?

For most of the UK, yes — anything truly tender (courgettes, French beans, runner beans) is better started in April or even early May. Sown too early they grow leggy and weak while waiting for outdoor temperatures to catch up. If you have a heated greenhouse and good light, April is fine; otherwise hold off.

What is the most common March sowing mistake?

Sowing into cold, wet soil. Seeds germinate based on soil temperature, not air temperature. Check by feel — if the soil crumbles between your fingers, it is ready. If it forms wet clumps, give it another week and warm it under fleece or cloches if you can. A cold snap after sowing can rot the seed before it sprouts.