Cold Winter Areas
Zones: 1–7a
These zones experience cold winters with extended periods of freezing temperatures. In March, monitor soil conditions, thaw cycles, and late frosts as you prepare for early outdoor sowing. Indoors, this is a busy month for starting cool-season crops and hardy flowers under lights or in a greenhouse so they are ready to transplant as soon as the weather warms.
Indoors (fresh harvests):
- Microgreens: peas, broccoli, sunflowers, arugula.
- Sprouts: alfalfa, broccoli, radish, mung
- Herbs & greens under lights: chives, parsley, mint
Crops to start indoors in good light: bunching onion, eggplant, tomato, pepper, zinnia, basil, Swiss chard, cosmos
Transplants to move outdoors (weather permitting - harden first): Onion, parsley, broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, arugula, pansy, viola
Crops that can be directly sown outdoors in March (assume intermittent frosts; a low tunnel or row cover makes most of these reliable): pak choi, cabbage, kale, mustard, fava bean, pea, turnip, parsnip, sweet pea
Cover crops: winter rye, fava bean, hairy vetch, red or white clover, and cover crop mixes.
Tip: This zone group covers a lot of territory. Nothing takes the place of talking with experienced gardeners in your area and, of course, watching the weather closely.
Use your USDA zone as a guide. Microclimates matter—coastal/urban spots run warmer; high elevation runs colder. 7b pockets can follow “Mild” recommendations with protection.
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Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Merlot Hybrid
68 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Merlot Hybrid Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, F1 hybrid, high-yielding, drought tolerant, sweet pepper with no heat. 0 Scoville Heat Units. Suitable for...
Sunflower Seeds - Pradera Gold (Organic)
75-90 Days to Maturity. Helianthus annuus. Pradera Gold Organic Flower Seeds. Non-GMO, open-pollinated, organic, flower seeds. Annual in zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. Deer...
Pepper Seeds - Ornamental - Royal Black
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Corn Seeds - Popcorn - Miniature Colored
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Yard Long Bean Seeds - Black (Organic)
85 Days to maturity. Vigna unguiculata var. sesquipedalis. Black Yard Long Asparagus Bean Vegetable Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, pole bean seeds. Produces pods that can grow to be anywhere from...
Tomato Seeds - Slicing - Early Choice Black F1
65-70 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycopersicum. Early Choice Black Hybrid Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, warm season annual, F1 hybrid, indeterminate, salad tomato seeds. Suitable for growing in garden plots,...
Blackberry Roots - Chester
1 Root This is a pre-order item and is expected to ship in March for spring planting. Other seeds, supplies, or kits ordered with this product may ship separately. This...
Elderberry Roots
1 Root This is a pre-order item and is expected to ship in mid-March for spring planting. Other seeds, supplies, or kits ordered with this product may ship separately. This...
Boysenberry Roots
1 Root This is a pre-order item and is expected to ship in March for spring planting. Other seeds, supplies, or kits ordered with this product may ship separately. This...
Pepper Seeds - Hot - Black Hungarian (Organic)
70-79 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Organic Black Hungarian Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, hot-type pepper with mild heat levels. 1,500 to 2,500 Scoville Heat Units. Suitable...
Pepper Seeds - Hot - Serrano Purple
85 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Serrano Purple Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, high yielding, hot-type pepper with medium heat levels.10,000 to 20,000 Scoville Heat Units. Suitable...
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