What to Plant in March in Oregon: Your Local Guide for Hood River & the Columbia Gorge

We know it can be tricky to keep track of all the things, like what our planting zone is, what to plant and when to plant it... so we've done the leg work for you!

March is when the gardening season begins to wake up in the Columbia River Gorge. Many gardeners start asking what to plant in March in Oregon as the days get longer and the soil slowly begins to warm. This is the time of year when planning makes the biggest difference, especially in our area where elevation and weather can change quickly between towns.

At Good News Gardening we always remind people that Hood River, Parkdale, Pine Grove, Odell, Mosier, White Salmon, and Cascade Locks do not all warm up at the same time. A local planting guide will always give better results than a general internet chart.

In this post we will cover what to plant in March in Oregon for our specific part of the Gorge, including vegetables, herbs, and flowers that handle cool weather well. We are also sharing our original early planting guide that was hand drawn years ago by our founder John Hergenrather. You can download your own copy here.

What to Plant in March in Oregon Depends on Your Zone in the Gorge

One of the most important parts of deciding what to plant in March in Oregon is knowing your growing zone and your elevation. Even within a short drive, the climate can change quite a bit in the Gorge.

Hood River has several growing zones within just a few miles! If you live on Oak St or below, you are in 7 growing zone. If you live between Oak St. and May St. you are likely in zone 6-7. And anywhere between the Heights of Hood River and Odell are usually considered zone 5-6, depending on location. Pine Grove and Parkdale are higher elevation, ranging from zone 5 all the way to 4. We always advise getting recommendations from locals and neighbors when planting in these regions as they can still see frost well into spring and there are many tiny microclimates in those areas. Mosier and White Salmon tend to stay slightly warmer in zone 6-7 because of the river influence. Cascade Locks is often milder and wetter through early spring, but still in zone 6-7.

Because of these differences, planting dates should always be treated as a range rather than a single day. Keeping track of what works year after year in your own garden is a really helpful and you can reference our planting guide as a place to start.

We recommend talking to local friends, people who live close by your home, or your local garden center experts!

Photo by Charlie Fair on Unsplash

Vegetables to Plant in March in Oregon for Hood River Gardens

March is the time for cool season crops. These vegetables prefer cold soil and will grow better if they are planted early. Here's a few good rules of thumb:

• Peas can be planted as soon as the soil can be worked

• Spinach does very well in early spring and can handle frost

• Lettuce can be planted outside now, especially under light cover

• Radishes grow quickly in cool weather

• Carrots can be seeded once soil is workable

• Beets are excellent for early planting in the Gorge

• Onion sets, spring garlic, and shallots should be planted now

• Potatoes can be planted late March in warmer areas and early April in higher elevations

• Broccoli cabbage and cauliflower can be planted as starts

Soil condition matters more than the calendar. Very wet, soggy soil should never be planted because it will compact and slow root growth.

If you're looking for veggie and herb starts, our greenhouse is bursting! Come stock up and give your garden a healthy head start for the season. For more info about what's available, check out our veggie page.

Herbs to Plant in March: Gardening Planner for Early Color

Many herbs prefer cool weather and should be included when planning what to plant in March in Oregon. Some of our favorite herb tips for Oregon are...

• Parsley can be planted outdoors now

• Cilantro grows best in cool temperatures

• Chives can be planted or divided

• Thyme can be planted once soil drains well

• Oregano can go in during warmer days

• Mint can be planted but should be contained

• Dill can be seeded late in the month
  

Tender herbs like basil should still be kept indoors until nights warm up.

Flowers to Plant in March in Oregon for Early Spring Color

March planting is not only for vegetables! Many flowers prefer cool weather and will bloom better if planted early.

• Pansies and violas handle cold well and are perfect for early spring color

• Sweet peas should be planted as soon as possible

• Calendula grows well from seed in cool soil

• Snapdragons can be planted as starts

• Bachelor buttons & Larkspur can be direct seeded outdoors

• Primrose can be planted now and will handle the cold weather well

• Dusty miller handles cold weather well and can tolerate light frost

Perennials can also be planted in March as long as the soil is not frozen or waterlogged.

Follow us on social media so you can see what flowers, including perennials, we have coming in on trucks every single day!

Local Knowledge Matters When Deciding What to Plant in March in Oregon

Gardening in the Columbia River Gorge has always required a little patience. Weather can change quickly, and planting certain things too early is a common mistakes we see every year. Always chat with people who love to garden to find out more about what is going to thrive in your area!

Our early planting guide was created many years ago by John Hergenrather to help local growers understand our climate. It was drawn by hand and is still one of the best references for this area.

Don't forget to download your own copy!

Visit Good News Gardening for Help With Spring Planting

March is one of the busiest and most exciting months at the garden center. Seeds are arriving, cool season plants are ready, and gardeners from all over Hood River, Parkdale, Pine Grove, Odell, Mosier, White Salmon, and Cascade Locks are getting back out into the garden after a long winter. We can hardly handle the excitement!

If you are not sure what to plant in March in Oregon, stop by the garden center and talk with our staff. Local advice makes all the difference in the Gorge, and we are more than happy to help however we can. We look forward to seeing you very soon.

If you'd like to learn some of our favorite gardening tips, head to our website by clicking here!