Herbs To Sow In March

As winter fades and the days grow longer, March marks the perfect time to start sowing herbs for a productive growing season. Whether you have a garden, greenhouse, or even just a sunny windowsill, this is the ideal month to begin planting a variety of herbs that will flourish in the months ahead. From hardy perennials that thrive in cooler temperatures to tender annuals that can be started indoors, there are plenty of options to get a head start on your herb garden. In this guide, we’ll explore the best herbs to sow in March!

Anise

This liquorice-flavoured herb needs a decent amount of heat to germinate, so it is best started indoors if sown in March.

They are simple to sow, just sow into a module tray and lightly cover with a thin layer of compost. Germination can take 3 or more weeks so be patient!

Basil

In March, Basil needs to be sown indoors as it only germinates in warm temperatures. Sow into module trays, press firmly into the compost and then cover with a very fine layer of compost.

Sown in early March, these seeds should be ready to go into the garden in early May.

Chervil

Chervil is a tough plant and can be directly sown outdoors even in March. As long as your soil is workable, then sow where you want it to grow and cover with a thin layer of soil.

If your ground is still frozen, then sow undercover in a greenhouse or coldframe.

Chives

Chives like a little bit of heat to germinate but they don't need tonnes. So, depending where you are in the world, you could sow them in an unheated greenhouse, but to be extra cautious you can just sow them indoors.

Most often they are sown as they are to grow, in a big clump. You can do this by surface sowing them into a seed tray and then lightly covering with compost.

Cilantro/Corriander

Cilantro (or Corriander if you are British like me) doesn't like to be transplanted. So it needs to be sown where it is to grow. For most people it will be too cold to sow Cilantro outside in March.

So, if you want to sow it now, then that usually means sowing into a pot which you can then move outside later in the year.

Choose a pot that is at least 6" deep (preferably more), keep seeds at least 1" apart but 2" is better.

Dill

Dill is another plant that doesn't like its roots being messed with. For this reason it is better to be sown in pots with the plan of keeping it there.

Dill grows quite large, so you will probably only want one plant per pot, sow roughly three seeds per pot and then thin to the strongest seedling.

Your pot will also need to be quite large, at least 9" deep. You can move it outside once the risk of frost has passed, usually around May. Ensure you keep it well watered or it will bolt and go to seed.

Parsley

Parsley likes to be warm to germinate, which is why I advise sowing indoors or in a heated greenhouse in March. You can sow into pots or a module tray and soaking the seeds overnight is also a good idea to speed up germiantion.

Sage

Sow indoors, one seed per small pot (sage gets large!), then pot on into larger pots once your seedlings are established. Sage can be moved outside once the risk of frost has passed.