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Spring is on the way for gardeners in zone 6, and March marks the start of seed starting for warmer weather crops like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. While cooler weather crops may already be underway, now’s the time to dive into your seed stash and get those summer-loving vegetables going. Whether you’re trying new varieties or sticking to favorites, March is the perfect time to start planning for a season full of fresh produce.
As we move through mid to late March, many of you will be well into your seed starting journey. It’s exciting to see the gardening community come together, sharing inspiration and tips. If you’re new to seed starting or just joining us, welcome! March is a great time to jump in and learn alongside fellow gardeners.
Today’s growing guide
In today’s guide, we’ll walk you through the best vegetable, flower, and herb seeds to start in March in zone 6. Plus, we’ve included a planting schedule to help you plan for a summer full of beautiful blooms and homegrown produce. Be sure to consult your local frost dates and growing conditions as you plan your seed starting. Let’s get ready for a fantastic growing season ahead!
Starting seeds in March zones 6a & 6b
Within zone 6, there are different microclimates. These are designated by the letters A or B. The information in today’s guide is broadly designed for zone 6 gardeners. You may need to adjust the planting schedule for your specific growing conditions and climate. It is usually a couple of weeks here or there if you need to make any adjustments.
Are you new to starting seeds?
If so, you may be wondering what the terms growing zone, hardiness zone, and frost dates mean. You may also be wondering about how to get started sowing seeds.
Don’t fret, we’ve put together two handy guides available over on our blog. A blog post is on understanding growing zones, hardiness zones, and frost dates. The other walks you through the basics of seed starting.
The information in both guides will get you well on your way to starting seeds in no time!
Best seeds to start in March zone 6
Meanwhile, as we inch ever closer to spring, the variety of seeds that you can start indoors in zone 6 is increasing by leaps and bounds. Last month we saw a gradual increase in the types of crops that you can start by seed. But, in March, there are quite a few warm weather crops that you can begin to sow by seed indoors in zone 6 that were not available to you last month.
The air and ground temperatures are still not warm enough yet to sustain warmer weather crops outdoors. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t get started sowing some of these warm weather vegetables indoors in March zone 6. That’s right. Starting these crops indoors in March in zone 6 will give you the head start that you need. And, when the weather starts to warm up, you will be able to transition them outdoors to harden off.
What to Plant Now for a Thriving Summer Garden in Zone 6
Even though we will be starting some of these warmer weather crops indoors this month, it doesn’t mean it is time to start all of our favourite summer vegetables. Crops like cucumbers, melons, zucchini, etc. are best started next month. These crops tend to put on a lot of growth quite quickly. Start them too soon, and the plants will be too advanced by the time they are fully ready to be transitioned outdoors. If you are looking to start any of these crops, be sure to check back next month for more seed starting guides to come!
Not only is March a great month in zone 6 for starting crops like tomatoes and peppers, but it is also a great time to get started planning your summer flower garden! Now is a great time to start any of your annual flower seeds that need to be sown indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost. You might consider starting flowers like salvia, annual dianthus, or straw flowers.
While deep diving into the world of seed starting this month, March is also the time to start some more herbs to add to your summer herb garden. If you missed starting herbs by seed in zone 6 last month, you haven’t fully missed out on the opportunity this season. In March zone 6, herbs like rosemary, lemon balm, oregano, thyme, parsley, and marjoram can all be started by seed. Starting them in March will allow for vigorous growth to be put on just in time for springtime planting when the weather warms up.
Vegetable seeds to start in March zone 6
March is here gardening friends! And, that means the beginning of the warmer weather seed starting season! That’s right, in zone 6, March is when we can start to think about sowing tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants indoors. Starting these crops indoors this month in zone 6 will help to extend the growing season. It will give you healthy seedlings to plant out in the spring after the danger of frost has passed.
March is also the time to get a second or third round of cooler weather started indoors. This way, you can succession plant and keep the harvest going well into the spring and summer. Crops like cabbage, Brussels sprouts, collards, Swiss chard, Asian greens, cauliflower, and kale can all be started indoors in March zone 6. Starting them early in the season indoors will give them time to grow into strong seedlings ready to take on the outdoors!
Starting tomatoes by seed indoors in March zone 6
One of the all-time staples of the summer vegetable garden is tomatoes. Available in a large selection of heirloom and hybrids, there is sure to be a variety for every gardener’s taste. When it comes to tomatoes, every gardener has their own preferences and what works best for them. Over the years we’ve tested various tomatoes in our own home garden. Some have become our go-to best tomatoes for growing in zone 6, others haven’t stood up as well to the extreme weather that we get here on Canada’s East Coast. It really comes down to experimenting with different varieties of tomatoes to find those that work in your growing conditions.
The types of tomatoes that you choose to plant in your garden is also connected to how you will use them in the kitchen. Some tomatoes like slicers are great on sandwiches, chopped in a fresh ready-to serve salsa, or added to your favourite chili sauce recipe. Others like paste tomatoes are great for adding rich meaty texture and thickness to your favourite spaghetti sauce or homemade batch of salsa! Cherry tomatoes are great for summertime snacking out in the garden or to add to a fresh summer salad. Whereas, nothing can beat a hearty beefsteak tomato slice grilled to perfection on the bbq!
Whatever your purpose is for planting tomatoes in zone 6, March is a great month to get started growing them indoors. Since tomatoes can grow quite quickly once germinated, aim to start sowing your seeds indoors towards mid to late March. You can even wait until the first week of April if you wish.
Timing Your Tomato Seed Starting in Zone 6
Your timing to start tomatoes indoors in zone 6 will depend on your location, weather, and climate conditions. It will also largely depend on your last frost dates and when you expect to harvest the fruit. Zone 6 does have a shorter growing season. This is largely related to the arrival of damaging frost and cooler northerly temperatures fluctuations. Starting early indoors will help you extend the harvest and allow you to reap the fruits of your labour much earlier than the season would normally allow for.
Tips for Healthy Growth and a Strong Start to Your Garden
The key to keeping tomato seedlings healthy and happy indoors is to give them the right balance of heat, light, and water. Tomatoes are also heavy feeders. Applying the right balance of starter fertilizer after they put on growth indoors will help them to get ready for their transition outdoors later in the season. Avoid heavy fertilization until the seedlings have 2-3 sets of true leaves. This way, you will avoid burning the tender young roots of your seedlings. Always follow the directions on your fertilizer and apply gently.
Tomatoes germinate best with a heat source. Use either heat mats or a sunny and warm windowsill. Be sure to keep an eye on the water level of your seedlings. You want to avoid having them dry out and then drowning them with water to compensate. Extreme fluctuations in the water level will cause undue stress to your seedlings. Gently mist them each day, but avoid applying too much water. Overwatering can lead to root rot and the development of harmful fungal and bacterial diseases.
Did you struggle with blossom end rot last year when growing tomatoes? Don’t fret, our handy guide has all the tips you need to prevent blossom end rot from ruining this year’s harvest. Head on over to the blog to check it out today.
Some of our favourite varieties of tomatoes to grow by seed in March zone 6 are:
- Cherokee Purple
- Sungold
- Mortgage Lifter
- Abe Lincoln
- Moneymaker
- Patio Choice
- Amish Paste
- Roma
- Scotia
- Sunrise Bumble Bee
Starting peppers by seed in March in zone 6
Nothing beats fresh peppers straight from the garden. Another one of the main staples of the summer vegetable garden, peppers are a great crop to get started growing indoors in March zone 6.
Just like tomatoes, peppers come in many heirloom and hybrid varieties. You may have started some hot peppers last month by seed indoors. But, this month, why not try your hand at growing some delicious sweet peppers?
Peppers do take a bit of time to fully grow from seed to harvest. So, starting them early indoors will give you plenty of time to develop a healthy crop. Since zone 6 has a shorter growing season, starting early will ensure a bountiful harvest before the final frost of the year ushers in the end of the growing season.
Growing and Overwintering Peppers: Tips for Success and Flavorful Harvests
In more northern zones, pepper plants are considered a tender annual. But, did you know that pepper plants can be successfully overwintered indoors? That’s right, gardening friends. However, it does take some extra care and attention. For a list of helpful tips on how to overwinter your favourite pepper plants indoors, be sure to check out our handy guide. It walks you through everything you need to know to have your pepper plants coming back strong year-after-year.
When it comes to choosing different types of peppers to plant in your garden, again, it will largely come down to taste. It will also depend on how you would like to use them in the kitchen. Another factor to keep in mind is how much sweetness or heat you are looking for in a pepper. Some peppers are great for stuffing. Some peppers are better for grilling. Others are great in stir frys while some spicy peppers are better suited for making your own hot sauce.
The best advice when planning which peppers to select for your garden is to think about the types of meals you typically eat. This will help you to research and select the best varieties that you are most likely to eat and enjoy.
Pepper Seed Starting 101: Ensuring Healthy Growth with the Right Care and Techniques
Peppers do need a good balance of heat, light, and moisture to grow. You can start them in soil blocks, six cell trays, or peat pellet pods. Whatever strategy you choose, be sure to keep a good eye on their moisture levels. You want to avoid the seedlings drying out too much when they are in their early stages of growth.
You can start your pepper seeds on heat mats or in a sunny windowsill. If you are growing in a windowsill, be sure to turn your seedlings periodically so they are not stretching for the light. This will help you to avoid having them become too leggy.
If you are new to starting your seeds using soil blocks and want to learn more about this technique, we’ve put together a helpful guide. The guide walks you through how to build your soil blocks as well as explains the advantages of this technique. Soil blocks are a great way to achieve air pruning and tend to produce healthier and stronger seedlings. Be sure to visit our guide for more helpful tips to get started!
Some of our favourite varieties of peppers to grow by seed in March in zone 6 are:
- King Arthur
- Shishito
- Jimmy Nardello
- King of the North
- Mini Bell Peppers
- Anaheim Chili
- Toreador
- Keystone Resistant Giant
Starting eggplant by seed in March in zone 6
Often used in Italian cooking, eggplant is another one of the summer-loving vegetables that you should start in March in zone 6. Like many vegetables, eggplant seeds come in a lot of fun and interesting hybrid and heirloom varieties.
Eggplant seedlings should be kept indoors until the danger of frost has passed as they are considered a tender annual crop. They will need to be gently hardened off before being planted out in the garden.
It’s best to start your eggplant seeds about 8 weeks before you would like to transplant them to the garden. Depending on your local conditions, this could be anywhere from mid to late March. Eggplant seeds will typically germinate in about 5-6 days after planting. Once germinated, the seedlings will need at least 12 hours of light a day. You can use grow lights or a sunny windowsill.
For best results, plant your seeds at least ¼ inch deep. The seed starting mix should be moist, but not soaked. As seedlings emerge, keep an active eye on their water levels. You should avoid either underwatering or over watering as this can put stress on young seedlings.
Some of our favourite varieties of eggplant to grow by seed in March in zone 6 are:
- Black Beauty
- Italian Eggplant
- Japanese Eggplant
- Patio Baby
- Rosa Bianca
- Fairytale eggplant
- Long purple eggplant
Cool weather crops to start by seed in March in zone 6
If you missed the opportunity to start some of your cool weather crops or are looking to succession plant, March is still a great month to get started in zone 6. Crops like cauliflower, cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, collards, Swiss chard, and Asian greens can all be started indoors in March in zone 6.
For best results, start your seeds early to mid March. This way, you will be able to transition them outdoors when the weather starts to warm in Spring. Some of these can even take a light frost and can handle cooler temperatures.
If you have space available, using cold frames, row covers, or a greenhouse will allow you to transition these outdoors much earlier. They will need to stay under cover though until danger of frost has passed.
Cool weather crops thrive in the cooler temperatures of early Spring. So, they make the perfect companion to the zone 6 garden. As an added bonus, many are very good for your health by providing essential vitamins and nutrients.
Cool weather crops are also very easy to grow from seed, making them great for beginner gardeners. Some do take a bit of space to grow in the garden, so be sure to plan accordingly before starting your seeds.
Some of our favourite varieties of cool weather crops to grow by seed in March in zone 6 are:
- Red Russian Kale
- Snowball Y Cauliflower
- Copenhagen Market Cabbage
- Dinosaur Kale
- Bright Lights Swiss Chard
- Fordhook Giant Swiss Chard
- Wa Wa Sai Cabbage
- China Express Cabbage
- Pak Choi
Starting herbs by seed in March in zone 6
If you didn’t get a chance to start some herbs over the past few months indoors, there’s still time! March is a great month in zone 6 to start herbs like rosemary, lemon balm, oregano, thyme, parsley and marjoram.
Many of these aromatic herbs make great additions to the summer herb garden. Use them fresh or dried, they are sure to add bold punches of flavour to your favourite dishes. In zone 6, aim to start your herbs indoors during the first two weeks of March. This way, they will be ready to be transitioned outdoors once the weather warms up a bit.
Getting a head start on your summer herb garden is easy and will give you something to look forward to as we ease into the Spring. Don’t have the space to plant an in-ground herb garden this year? Don’t fret. Many of these herbs can also be grown strictly indoors in a kitchen window or countertop. Throughout the season, you can come by from time to time to trim off some of them as you need them. Plus, you’ll have the added benefit of smelling their sweet aromas as you walk by!
Some of our favourite herbs to grow by seed in March in zone 6 are:
- Italian flat-leaf parsley
- Curly parsley
- Greek oregano
- Lemon Thyme
- Athens Blue Spire Rosemary
- Sweet Marjoram
Starting flowers by seed in March in zone 6
If you have your heart set on planting a pollinator or cut-flower garden, March is your month to get started. Many annual flowers should be started this month to ensure beautiful summertime blooms.
Some flowers will take longer to germinate than others, so getting started early in March in zone 6 will give you the best chance of having healthy and strong seedlings. Many annuals are frost tender. So, that means they will need to be hardened off first before planting in the garden. You need to wait until all danger of frost has passed to begin this process.
When it comes to annual flowers, there is such a wide variety to choose from. There is also something for every gardener’s colour palette. Some annual flowers that you might consider starting by seed in March zone 6 are salvia, annual dianthus, strawflowers, petunias, calendula, larkspur, nigella, lobelia, cosmos, and marigolds. There are many others to choose from. A lot of these will serve as great bedding plants or in your favourite summer planters and hanging baskets.
The Joy of Growing Your Own Flowers: Benefits for You and Pollinators
Growing your own flowers is not only budget friendly, but it will also give you a sense of accomplishment. Nothing is more rewarding than sitting back in the dead of summer admiring all the fruits of your own labour. Plus, you will be able to get all the bragging rights by showing off all of your hard work!
Adding flowers to your garden is not only important for your own enjoyment, but it also helps out our pollinator friends. Pollinators love to visit yards that offer lots of colour and safe habitats. Always wanted to plant a pollinator garden, but didn’t know where to start? Be sure to visit our handy guide for helpful tips to get you started! From plant selection to arranging the flowers in your garden for maximum impact, we’ve got you covered!
Frequently asked questions about starting seeds in zone 6
Do you need grow lights to start seeds?
Most seeds will need some light to germinate. The exception is pansies which require darkness at first until germination begins.
You do not necessarily need to grow lights to grow indoors over winter. They do help if they are in your budget and you have available space for them.
You can also use a sunny kitchen window or south facing windowsill to germinate your seeds. As they sprout, you will need to turn them as the sun moves during the day.
How many hours a day should your grow lights be on for seedlings?
Usually 12-16 hours a day is sufficient for most seedlings. Some power bars come with a timer or you can buy a separate timer attachment. This will help you to set it for a certain amount of hours per day after which they will automatically shut off.
Should you leave grow lights on 24/7?
No, you should avoid leaving your grow lights on 24/7. Most seedlings once they emerge will require about 14-16 hours of light per day.
The idea is to mimic the daylight that they would receive outdoors. So, only having them on for a certain amount of hours per day will get your seedlings ready for their outdoor transition.
What to do after seeds sprout indoors?
After your seedlings emerge, you will need to actively monitor their progress. This means ensuring that they have the right balance of temperature, light, and water.
If the soil is dry to the touch, it’s time to gently water them. Avoid having your seedlings sitting in too much standing water. This will cause stress which you want to avoid.
How long can seedlings stay in seed trays?
Young seedlings can typically stay in their seed trays for 4-6 weeks. After this, you will need to consider re-potting them into larger containers.
Or, if you are at the point where they can go outdoors, you can slowly acclimate them for later transplant.
How often do you water seedlings?
Seedlings will need water while they are actively growing. Keep an eye on their water levels. Do not let them dry out too much.
Since you are most likely starting your seeds indoors this time of year in zone 6, the tendency to dry out is higher. Keeping a close watch over your seedlings each day will help you to monitor their progress.
Avoid over or under watering and inconsistent watering schedules. This can add undue stress to your seedlings.
Final thoughts on starting seeds in March zone 6
If you haven’t joined us on the seed starting journey yet this season, what are you waiting for? March is a great month in zone 6 to dive head first into the exciting world of seed starting! Nothing is more rewarding than nurturing a plant from seed to harvest and knowing that you had a gentle guiding hand throughout the entire process. Go ahead and get dirty this season! Come summer, you’ll be glad you did as you sit back and admire all your beautiful gardens. Have a seed starting success story that you’d like to share with your fellow gardeners? Drop a comment below or visit our socials and share your story. While you’re there, give us a like and follow on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest and join the conversation!
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