What to plant in March in South Africa

10 vegetables, fruits and herbs to sow or plant in March in South Africa, for the climate around Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.

Climate: A Southern Hemisphere highveld climate with hot, wet summers from November to March, a dry winter, and frosts from May to August with the coldest nights near 0 °C.

Vegetables

  • Spinach Spinacia oleracea

    Cool autumn and spring weather suits it, and it bolts less in the mild highveld shoulder seasons.

    Harvest: 40–50 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →

  • Lettuce Lactuca sativa

    Quick and tolerant of light frost, it can be sown in almost every mild month of the year.

    Harvest: 45–60 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →

  • Swiss chard Beta vulgaris

    It tolerates frost and heat alike and keeps producing leaves through the cold and the summer rains.

    Harvest: 50–60 daysEasyIn pots

  • Carrot Daucus carota

    Loose, well-drained garden soil and cool autumn or spring weather produce sweet, straight roots.

    Harvest: 70–90 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →

  • Radish Raphanus sativus

    It is the fastest crop to harvest and grows well in the mild shoulder seasons between frosts.

    Harvest: 25–35 daysEasyIn pots

Fruits

  • Strawberry Fragaria × ananassa

    Its cold winter chilling and bright sun give sweet berries, and it grows easily in beds or containers.

    Harvest: 60–90 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →

Herbs

  • Spearmint Mentha spicata

    It is hardy through the frosts and thrives in moist soil and partial shade.

    Harvest: 60–70 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →

  • Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis

    Its drought tolerance and sunny, well-drained conditions suit the dry winters and hot summers.

    Harvest: 70–90 daysEasyIn pots

  • Parsley Petroselinum crispum

    It tolerates light frost and keeps producing leaves through the cool and mild seasons.

    Harvest: 70–90 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →

  • Chives Allium schoenoprasum

    Hardy and perennial, it survives highveld frosts and regrows after each cut.

    Harvest: 60–80 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →