What to plant in March in Egypt
14 vegetables, fruits and herbs to sow or plant in March in Egypt, for the climate around Cairo area, Egypt.
Climate: Hot, almost rainless desert climate with mild winters (coldest nights around 6 to 8 °C in winter), very hot summers (up to 42 °C) and virtually no rain from May to October, so irrigation is essential.
Vegetables
Tomato Solanum lycopersicum
Sun and warmth suit it, and transplants from late summer or February ripen before the peak heat.
Harvest: 60–90 daysModerateIn potsCare guide →
Okra Abelmoschus esculentus
It loves the long hot summer and produces pods steadily in full sun.
Harvest: 55–65 daysEasy
Eggplant Solanum melongena
Heat-loving and productive once transplanted into warm spring soil.
Harvest: 70–90 daysModerateIn potsCare guide →
Sweet pepper Capsicum annuum
Warm days and a sunny spot give good fruit, especially from transplants set out in spring or early autumn.
Harvest: 70–90 daysModerateIn potsCare guide →
Radish Raphanus sativus
It is the fastest crop in the cool season and tolerates the dry, mild winter well.
Harvest: 25–35 daysEasyIn pots
Zucchini Cucurbita pepo
Prolific under heat and sun, provided it gets regular watering.
Harvest: 45–60 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Cucumber Cucumis sativus
Warm conditions and steady irrigation give a heavy harvest of crisp fruit.
Harvest: 50–65 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Fruits
Watermelon Citrullus lanatus
Its heat and drought tolerance suit the Cairo summer, and it needs deep, regular watering.
Harvest: 80–100 daysModerate
Pomegranate Punica granatum
Hot dry summers and mild winters give sweet fruit, and it tolerates drought once established.
Harvest: 2–3 yearsEasyIn pots
Orange Citrus × sinensis
Warm winters and hot summers suit it, and frost is rare enough to keep young trees safe.
Harvest: 3–5 yearsModerateIn pots
Date palm Phoenix dactylifera
Native to this heat and drought, it needs full sun and little rain, and it produces dates for decades.
Harvest: 4–6 yearsExpert
Herbs
Basil Ocimum basilicum
It loves the warm sunny weather and needs only regular watering.
Harvest: 50–60 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Mint Mentha spicata
Vigorous in partial shade and tolerant of the heat when kept watered.
Harvest: 60–70 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Thyme Thymus vulgaris
Its tolerance of dry, sunny conditions and poor soil suits the desert climate.
Harvest: 75–90 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →