What to plant in March in France
18 vegetables, fruits and herbs to sow or plant in March in France, for the climate around Oise, Hauts-de-France (near Compiègne), northern France.
Climate: Temperate oceanic-continental climate with frosts from November to March (down to -9 °C), warm summers that can reach 38 °C, and rain spread fairly evenly through the year, with the wettest months in February and May.
Vegetables
Lettuce Lactuca sativa
Cool spring and autumn weather suits it, and it can be sown in succession from March to September.
Harvest: 45–60 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Radish Raphanus sativus
Fast-growing in mild spring and autumn weather, so it gives an early harvest with little care.
Harvest: 25–40 daysEasyIn pots
Carrot Daucus carota
Deep, loose soil and moderate summer temperatures give sweet roots, and it tolerates light frosts.
Harvest: 70–100 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Potato Solanum tuberosum
Planted after the last frosts, it thrives in the cool, moist spring and yields well in the temperate summer.
Harvest: 90–120 daysEasyIn pots
Pea Pisum sativum
Cool spring and mild autumn suit it, and it finishes before the hottest weather arrives.
Harvest: 60–70 daysEasyCare guide →
Onion Allium cepa
Long, mild days in spring and summer build good bulbs in the temperate climate.
Harvest: 100–120 daysModerateIn potsCare guide →
Spinach Spinacia oleracea
It prefers cool weather, so spring and autumn sowings give tender leaves and it tolerates frost.
Harvest: 40–50 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Leek Allium ampeloprasum
Hardy in frosts, it can stay in the ground all winter and is harvested as needed.
Harvest: 100–150 daysEasy
Fruits
Strawberry Fragaria × ananassa
Its winter hardiness and cool summers give sweet fruit, and it grows well in beds or hanging planters.
Harvest: 1 year (first fruit the next summer)EasyIn potsCare guide →
Raspberry Rubus idaeus
Bare-root canes survive the frosts easily and give reliable summer crops in the temperate climate.
Harvest: 1–2 yearsEasyCare guide →
Blackcurrant Ribes nigrum
It needs cold winters to set fruit well and is very hardy in northern France.
Harvest: 2–3 yearsEasy
Apple Malus domestica
Cold winters satisfy its chilling needs, and the mild summers allow the fruit to ripen well.
Harvest: 3–5 yearsEasyCare guide →
Pear Pyrus communis
Cold winters and warm summers suit it well, and it does best on a sunny, sheltered site.
Harvest: 3–5 yearsModerate
Sweet cherry Prunus avium
Its winter chilling and warm summer days suit it, though a sheltered spot helps against spring frosts.
Harvest: 3–5 yearsModerate
Plum Prunus domestica
Hardy against winter cold, it fruits well in the warm late summer of this region.
Harvest: 3–5 yearsEasy
Herbs
Parsley Petroselinum crispum
It tolerates frost and grows steadily in the mild, moist conditions of spring and autumn.
Harvest: 70–90 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Chives Allium schoenoprasum
Very hardy, it returns each spring and copes with the cold winters without any protection.
Harvest: 60–90 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Mint Mentha spicata
It is vigorous and frost-hardy, and its moist, temperate summers suit it well, especially in a container.
Harvest: 60–90 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →