Spring is just around the corner in Central Virginia, and March gardening in zone 7b is an exciting time. As the days grow longer and temperatures start to rise, there’s plenty to do in the garden to prepare for the growing season ahead. Whether you’re an experienced green thumb or a gardening newbie, March offers the perfect mix of preparation and planting activities—and it’s a great time to get your kids involved, too!
Here’s your guide to gardening in March, with tips tailored to Charlottesville families.
1. Time for Zone 7b to Start Cool-Season Crops in the Garden
March is prime time to sow cool-season vegetables directly in the garden. These crops thrive in the mild days and cool nights of early spring. This is such a rewarding garden project to do with kids – lettuces and radishes offer quick gratification.
What to Plant:
- Vegetables: Lettuce, spinach, peas, radishes, carrots, broccoli, and kale.
- Herbs: Parsley, cilantro, and dill.
- Flowers: Sweet peas, larkspur, and bachelor’s buttons for beautiful early blooms.
Tips for Success:
- Soil Preparation: Before planting, loosen the soil and mix in compost or organic matter to give your plants a nutrient boost.
- Row Covers: Keep an eye on the weather and use row covers if frost is in the forecast.
2. Prepare Garden Beds in March
March is an ideal month to prepare your garden beds for the growing season. A little prep work now will save you time and effort later. Next year you might even try some low-effort winter sowing that works well in our garden zone 7b.
Steps to Take:
- Weed Removal: Clear out any weeds that have popped up over winter. This prevents them from competing with your plants for nutrients.
- Mulch: Add a layer of mulch around existing plants and along pathways to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Soil Testing: Test your soil’s pH and nutrient levels using an inexpensive soil test kit from a local garden center. Adjust with lime or sulfur as needed.
3. Start Warm-Season Seeds Indoors
If you’re dreaming of tomatoes, peppers, and other summer crops, now is the time to start seeds indoors. This gives your plants a head start so they’ll be strong and ready to transplant once the weather warms up in May.
What to Start Indoors:
- Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and herbs like basil and oregano.
Tips for Success:
- Light It Up: Place your seed trays in a sunny window or under grow lights to ensure seedlings get enough light.
- Water Wisely: Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged—kids can help with a small watering can or spray bottle.
4. Zone 7b Gardening: Prune Shrubs and Perennials
March is the time to prune many shrubs and perennials to encourage healthy growth and vibrant blooms.
What to Prune:
- Shrubs: Cut back late-flowering shrubs like butterfly bush (Buddleia) and summer-blooming hydrangeas.
- Perennials: Remove dead foliage from plants like hostas and daylilies to make way for new growth.
5. Divide Overgrown Perennials
If your perennials are looking crowded, March is the perfect time to divide them. This not only keeps your plants healthy but also gives you extra plants to spread around your garden or share with friends.
How to Involve the Kids:
- Let them dig small holes for the divided plants.
- Teach them about the root systems and how plants grow.
6. Set Up Your Compost System
If you don’t already compost, March is a great time to start. Composting is a family-friendly activity that reduces food waste and enriches your soil.
Composting Basics:
- Layer kitchen scraps (fruit peels, veggie scraps) with yard waste (leaves, twigs).
- Keep the pile moist and turn it regularly to speed up decomposition.
Listen In: Sage Mother Podcast
Our Publisher Jen had the joy of joining the Sage Mother Podcast for a heartfelt conversation about some of her favorite topics—gardening with kids, raising backyard chickens, and nurturing a love of the outdoors. She talked with Andrea and Kristin about simple ways families can slow down and reconnect through nature, engaging all five senses and savoring the everyday magic found right outside our doors.
Tune in here to listen: Sage Mother Podcast – Episode with Jennifer Bryerton
It’s a conversation full of encouragement for parents who want to cultivate wonder, togetherness, and a little more dirt under their fingernails.
7. Install a Rain Barrel
March is a rainy month in Central Virginia, making it the perfect time to set up a rain barrel to collect water for your garden. This is a great eco-friendly project to involve kids in while teaching them about water conservation.
8. Celebrate Spring with a Garden Journal
March is a time of transformation in the garden. Encourage your family to document the changes they see by starting a garden journal. Kids can draw pictures, write about what they planted, and keep track of the first flowers and veggies to appear.
Final Thoughts About Gardening in Zone 7b March
Gardening in March is all about preparing, planting, and enjoying the first signs of spring. Whether you’re sowing seeds, pruning shrubs, or exploring the wonders of pollinators, this is the perfect time to reconnect with nature and involve your kids in the joy of gardening.
So grab your gloves, trowels, and seed packets, and head outside to make the most of this exciting time in the garden. Happy planting!
JENNIFER BRYERTON, Ma Ed., our Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, started her career in teaching, Co-founded CharlottesvilleFamily and is a mom of four. A believer in experiential education and an avid gardener, beehives, a fruit and veggie plot, perennial borders and a chicken coop dot the family lawn west of Charlottesville. Jen also enjoys sharing travel, museums, theater performances and nature attractions with her family.
