What to plant in March in Israel
15 vegetables, fruits and herbs to sow or plant in March in Israel, for the climate around Coastal Eastern Mediterranean (around 32°N, 35°E, Israel-Jordan latitude).
Climate: Mild, wet winters with cool nights near 4-8°C from December to March and about 240 mm of rain in December alone, then long hot, almost rainless summers from May to October with nights of 20°C or more and days that can reach 38°C.
Vegetables
Tomato Solanum lycopersicum
Sown in late winter for a spring crop and again in midsummer for an autumn crop, it ripens well in the long dry, sunny season.
Harvest: 60-90 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Cucumber Cucumis sativus
It thrives in the warm spring and in the late-summer heat, and vines climb well on a trellis with irrigation.
Harvest: 50-70 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Zucchini Cucurbita pepo
Warm soil and full sun give heavy yields from spring through autumn with very little frost risk.
Harvest: 45-60 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Eggplant Solanum melongena
The long hot summer suits it, so transplanted seedlings from spring produce fruit steadily into autumn.
Harvest: 90-120 daysModerateIn potsCare guide →
Sweet pepper Capsicum annuum
It loves the hot dry summers and produces well in pots on a sunny balcony with regular watering.
Harvest: 70-90 daysModerateIn potsCare guide →
Green bean Phaseolus vulgaris
It fixes its own nitrogen and grows fast once the soil is warm in spring and late summer.
Harvest: 50-65 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Radish Raphanus sativus
It is one of the fastest crops and matures well in the cool, wet season.
Harvest: 25-35 daysEasyIn pots
Fruits
Fig Ficus carica
Mild winters and hot dry summers suit it perfectly, and it fruits reliably with little care.
Harvest: 2-3 yearsEasyIn potsCare guide →
Pomegranate Punica granatum
It tolerates the dry, hot summers and needs only a short cool spell to set good fruit.
Harvest: 2-3 yearsEasyIn pots
Lemon Citrus limon
Frost-free coastal winters are mild enough for a lemon tree, which keeps fruiting year-round when watered.
Harvest: 3-4 yearsModerateIn potsCare guide →
Watermelon Citrullus lanatus
Its sweetest fruit comes from the long hot, dry summer, and it needs only deep watering.
Harvest: 80-100 daysEasy
Loquat Eriobotrya japonica
It handles mild winters and fruits in late winter and spring, when most other fruit trees are dormant.
Harvest: 3-5 yearsEasyIn pots
Herbs
Basil Ocimum basilicum
Summer heat makes it grow vigorously in full sun, and it is a good companion for tomatoes.
Harvest: 30-40 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Mint Mentha spicata
It thrives in the mild spring and autumn with regular water, and it grows well in containers.
Harvest: 60-90 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis
It loves the dry sunny summers and mild winters of this coast and needs very little water once established.
Harvest: 90-120 daysEasyIn pots