PPatch

Cairns, QLD

What to plant in Cairns in March.

Cairns has broadly tropical conditions: high humidity, heavy summer rain and a warm dry season. These suggestions are a practical starting point for the month.

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57broad choices
Tropicalclimate
Marchplanting month

Your starting list

Planting ideas for March

Grow to Eat

TomatoStart in trays • Full sun • 12–16 weeksSpring onionSow direct • Full sun • 8–12 weeksBeansSow direct • Full sun • 8–12 weeksBasilStart in trays • Full sun • 6–10 weeksCucumberSow direct • Full sun • 8–12 weeksCapsicumStart in trays • Full sun • 14–20 weeksPumpkinSow direct • Full sun • 16–22 weeksZucchiniSow direct • Full sun • 8–12 weeksEggplantStart in trays • Full sun • 16–22 weeksChilliStart in trays • Full sun • 14–20 weeksSweet cornSow direct in blocks • Full sun • 12–16 weeksBrown onionSow or transplant • Full sun • 20–28 weeksSweet potatoPlant slips • Full sun • 18–24 weeksWatermelonSow direct • Full sun • 14–20 weeksLemonPlant a grafted tree • Full sun • Fruit in 2–3 yearsOrangePlant a grafted tree • Full sun • Fruit in 2–3 yearsAvocadoPlant a grafted tree • Full sun • Fruit in 3–5 yearsMangoPlant a grafted tree • Full sun • Fruit in 3–5 yearsOkraSow direct • Full sun • 10–14 weeksChokoPlant a vine • Full sun • Fruit in 16–24 weeksGingerPlant rhizomes • Part sun • 32–40 weeksTurmericPlant rhizomes • Part sun • 32–40 weeksLemongrassPlant divisions • Full sun • Light harvest in 12–16 weeksPassionfruitPlant a vine • Full sun • Fruit in 12–24 monthsFigPlant a grafted tree • Full sun • Fruit in 1–2 yearsBananaPlant a sucker • Full sun • Fruit in 12–24 monthsPineapplePlant crowns • Full sun • Fruit in 18–30 monthsPapayaPlant seedlings • Full sun • Fruit in 9–18 monthsDragon fruitPlant cuttings • Full sun • Fruit in 1–2 yearsPomegranatePlant a grafted tree • Full sun • Fruit in 2–3 yearsOlivePlant a grafted tree • Full sun • Fruit in 3–5 yearsMacadamiaPlant a grafted tree • Full sun • Nuts in 4–6 years

Grow for Beauty

SunflowerSow direct • Full sun • Flowers in 10–14 weeksMarigoldSow or transplant • Full sun • Flowers in 8–12 weeksZinniaSow direct • Full sun • Flowers in 8–12 weeksCosmosSow direct • Full sun • Flowers in 8–12 weeksPetuniaPlant seedlings • Full sun • Flowers in 8–10 weeksDahliaPlant tubers • Full sun • Flowers in summer–autumnGladiolusPlant corms • Full sun • Flowers in 12–16 weeksKangaroo pawPlant tubestock • Full sun • Establishes in 1–2 seasonsPaper daisySow or plant seedlings • Full sun • Flowers in 10–16 weeksGrevilleaPlant tubestock • Full or part sun • Establishes in 1–2 yearsBanksiaPlant tubestock • Full sun • Establishes in 1–2 yearsBottlebrushPlant tubestock • Full sun • Establishes in 1–2 yearsWattlePlant tubestock • Full sun • Establishes in 1–2 yearsNative violetPlant groundcover • Part shade • Spreads within one seasonLilly pillyPlant tubestock • Full or part sun • Establishes in 1–2 yearsBegoniaPlant tubers • Part shade • Flowers in 10–14 weeksImpatiensPlant seedlings • Part shade • Flowers in 8–12 weeksBougainvilleaPlant a vine • Full sun • Flowers in 1–2 seasonsFrangipaniPlant cuttings • Full sun • Flowers in 1–2 yearsHibiscusPlant a young shrub • Full sun • Flowers in 1–2 seasonsAgapanthusPlant divisions • Full sun • Flowers in 1–2 seasonsBird of paradisePlant divisions • Full or part sun • Flowers after 1–2 yearsColeusPlant seedlings • Part shade • Colour within 6–10 weeksLomandraPlant tubestock • Full or part sun • Establishes within one seasonCorreaPlant tubestock • Full or part sun • Establishes in 1–2 seasons
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Before you plant

A quick March garden check

  1. Check the forecast.Delay tender planting during frost, heatwaves, waterlogged weather or damaging wind.
  2. Prepare the soil.Remove weeds, check drainage and add mature compost where the plant benefits from it.
  3. Read the label.Exact varieties can need different depth, spacing, pollination or pruning.
  4. Water the root zone.Water new plants thoroughly and keep moisture consistent while roots establish.

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