9 Crops You'd be Foolish Not to Plant in March!

The video script begins with the host discussing the importance of March in gardening, emphasizing the start of planting for the year. They introduce nine plant picks suitable for March, hinting that some might already be in the visible garden. The first highlighted plant is the potato, which is a favorite due to its versatility and ability to grow in various conditions. The host also shares personal anecdotes about living off potatoes and provides tips for planting, whether from seed potatoes or by chitting grocery store potatoes. They further explain the concept of potatoes as a pioneer crop, which can improve soil for future plantings. The host then touches on growing brassicas, such as broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower, with a focus on varieties like Copenhagen Market Cabbage, Twister cauliflower, and Di Cicco broccoli. They also delve into companion planting with marigolds and nasturtiums, explaining their benefits in deterring pests and acting as trap crops.

The host expresses a newfound appreciation for flowers beyond their edibility, leading to a discussion on the aesthetic and practical benefits of border plants like nasturtiums and marigolds. Nasturtiums are praised for their beauty and trailing growth habit, which makes them ideal for raised beds. They can be sown directly after the last frost or started indoors for an early start. The host also shares their fascination with Linaria, a flower they previously overlooked but now find enchanting for its mini snapdragon-like appearance. Linaria seeds are small and require light sowing in clumps. The segment concludes with a nod to the importance of considering height and texture in garden design, with sunflowers being a favorite for their color, texture, and multiple benefits to the garden ecosystem. Specific varieties like Lemon Queen, Evening Sun, and Mongolian Giant are recommended, along with tips for achieving the tallest sunflowers by planting seeds directly into the ground.

The focus shifts to herbs, with an emphasis on basil and dill for their culinary uses and ability to attract pollinators and beneficial insects. A slow bolting basil variety called Everleaf Emerald Towers is highlighted for its extended leaf production before flowering. Dill is also commended for its multifunctional uses, including as a host plant for the Eastern black swallowtail butterfly. The host shares their preferred slow bolting dill variety, Tetra, and provides advice on starting these herbs indoors for an early harvest or direct sowing after the last frost. The segment also touches on the challenge of growing protein-rich plants quickly, with beans being a notable exception due to their productivity and nutritional value. Different bean varieties like Royal Burgundy, French Filet, and Gold Rush are suggested for various climates and tastes, along with tips for planting and maintaining a continuous bean harvest throughout the growing season.

The host addresses the common struggle of germinating carrots and offers detailed tips for achieving a successful carrot patch. They recommend thorough watering, shallow sowing, and using a covering like cardboard to retain soil moisture. Two favorite carrot varieties, Little Fingers and Tonda de Parigi, are introduced for their taste, container-friendly size, and quick maturity. The host then shifts the focus to medicinal plants, specifically turmeric and ginger, which are grown from rhizomes. They explain the process of selecting and preparing organic rhizomes, planting them in a container with proper spacing and depth, and the importance of keeping the soil moist until sprouting. The segment concludes with advice on growing ginger and turmeric as perennials in colder climates by bringing containers indoors during winter and starting the cycle anew each year.

The final paragraph discusses the creation of a border patch featuring many of the plants previously mentioned, including sunflowers. The host encourages viewers to explore a full guide on growing sunflowers, which is linked in the video. They wish luck to all gardeners and motivate them to continue growing, emphasizing the joy and satisfaction derived from gardening.