Garden Dreaming in March: Your Connecticut Garden Planning Guide
Some days it feels like winter will never end, and the groundhog certainly didn’t help matters. But I’ve discovered this is the perfect time to get inspired about spring’s arrival. Pour yourself a cup of tea, grab some colored pencils, and let’s dream together of what your spring harvest will look like.
Start with Reflection
At Simply Grown, we believe the past is our best teacher for the future. Before diving into seed catalogs, take time to reflect on last season. What worked? What didn't? What brought you the most joy?
Download my free Kitchen Garden Foundations guide to walk through the 4 foundational actions I use with every client to launch their garden journey. Get your free guide here and start building on what you’ve learned.
Map Out Your Garden Dream
Ready to move from reflection to action? It’s time to plan your garden with intention.
Start with the basics:
Sketch out your garden beds, containers, or raised beds
Note sun exposure through the day
Consider spacing requirements for your largest crops - plan for those first
Plan for companion planting and succession planting
Keep it realistic: Choose 3 “must have crops” and build your plan around them. Think about your schedule, too. If spring is packed with activities but summer is wide open, go easy on early plantings and save your energy for summer crops. This approach brings joy to gardening instead of stress.
Know your zone: Connecticut gardeners face different conditions depending on location—coastal areas differ significantly from northern Fairfield County and points north. Check your exact zone at the Farmers Almanac website to time everything perfectly.
Order Your Seeds Early
The best varieties sell out fast, so order now while selection is at its peak.
What to look for: Choose cold-hardy varieties with appropriate days-to-harvest for Connecticut's famously unpredictable spring weather.
My favorite early spring crops:
Peas (kids especially love Sugar Snap and Snow Peas)
Beets - if you’re looking for a new variety to sway the non-beet eater in your family, try Touchstone Gold
Greens—kale and other brassicas (bok choi, arugula) thrive with fewer pest issues in spring
Cilantro—plant it now before summer heat makes it bolt
Strawberries—a wonderful family-friendly crop if you have space. Plant herbs and perhaps ground cherries between the strawberries to maximize your garden space.
Trusted seed companies:
Indoor Seed Starting
March is a good time to get your grow lights up and running. If you want to grow onions, leeks (Alium family) it’s a good time to start those. Also, March is a good time to start your pepper seeds in Connecticut. Peppers have a long growing season, and they thrive in the heat, so get an early start on your peppers by starting them this month.
Use a high quality seed starting mix or you make your own. Here’s a link to a great recipe to get you started. Skip the big box stores and visit your local nursery for great advice in your area.
Give Your Tools Some Love
There’s something deeply satisfying about cleaning and sharpening garden tools in March. It’s a tangible signal that spring is coming, and it genuinely excites me to get back in the dirt.
I’ll be posting a complete tool maintenance tutorial on our Instagram page soon. Follow @simplygrownct on Instagram and Facebook for that video plus other gardening tips throughout the season.
Feed Your Garden Soul
On the coldest late February/March days, curl up with a good garden book. I’m currently reading Vegetables Love Flowers by Lisa Mason Ziegler as many of my clients want to attract more pollinators or simply enjoy having blooms among their vegetables.
Other ways to nurture your gardening spirit:
Watch garden videos and online tutorials.
Listen to a podcast - The Beet by Epic Gardening, Joe Gardener or A Way to Garden are a few options. .
Attend workshops (virtual or in-person)
Check your local library for garden speakers. I’ve attended wonderful talks at Ridgefield, New Canaan and Greenwich Libraries starting in early spring.
Your Garden Awaits
Resist the urge to poke around your garden beds right now. Instead, embrace the possibility of what your garden could become in just a few months. With thoughtful planning and preparation, you’re setting yourself up for your best garden season yet.
Need help bringing your garden vision to life?
We’d love to meet with you for a consultation to discuss your gardening experience and dreams for your space this year. We can create a custom garden design, planting plan, and schedule coaching session. Schedule your consultation today—we have a few slots remaining, but they’re filling quickly. Don’t miss out on your ideal spring garden!