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March is named for the Roman god of war, Mars. However, we think of it as the beginning of spring, as March brings the vernal equinox, the Full Worm Moon, and the return of Daylight Saving Time! Here are important dates, gardening tips, and early spring recipes to celebrate the start of spring.
The Month of March
March is named for Mars, the Roman god of war, because this was the time of year to resume military campaigns that had been interrupted by winter. Read more about how the months got their names.
In the early Roman calendar, March (or Martius) was the first month of the calendar year. As March brought the first day of spring with the vernal equinox, it was the start of new beginnings.
March became the third month when January and February—which were added to the end of the Roman calendar around 700 BCE—instead became the first and second months around 450 BCE.
I Martius am! Once first, and now third! To lead the Year was my appointed place; A mortal dispossessed me by a word, And set there Janus with the double face. –Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, American poet (1807–82)
March 2025 Calendar
March 4 is Mardi Gras (aka “Fat Tuesday” or Shrove Tuesday), which is the final feasting day before the Christian tradition of Lent begins on the following day, Ash Wednesday.
March 5 is Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of Lent.
March 8 is International Women’s Day, which is a day that not only celebrates the achievements of women and the progress made toward women’s rights but also brings attention to ongoing struggles for equality around the world.
March 9 is the start of Daylight Saving Time, which begins at 2:00 A.M. that day. If your area observes it, don’t forget to “spring forward” and set the clocks one hour ahead, or you may find yourself an hour late to everything!
March 15 is the Ides of March! Legend surrounds this ill-fated day. Beware the Ides of March!
March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day. According to folklore, folks wear a shamrock on St. Patrick’s Day because the saint used its three leaves to explain the Trinity.
March 20 brings about the March equinox—also called the vernal or spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere—marking the beginning of spring. In the Southern Hemisphere, this date marks the autumnal equinoxand the beginning of fall. On this day, the Sun stands directly over Earth’s equator.
March 29-31 are known as the Borrowing Days. According to lore, the last 3 days of March have a reputation for being stormy.
The brown buds thicken on the trees, Unbound, the free streams sing, As March leads forth across the leas The wild and windy spring. –Elizabeth Akers Allen (1832–1911)
“Just for Fun” Days
Did you know that March is National Umbrella Month? Here are some more wacky things to celebrate this month:
March 3: What If Cats and Dogs Had Opposable Thumbs Day
March 11: International Fanny Pack Day
March 13: National Ear Muff Day
March 16: National Panda Day
March 16: Absolutely Incredible Kid Day
March 23: World Meteorological Day
March 31: World Backup Day
March Astronomy
The Full Worm Moon
March’s full Moon, the Worm Moon, reaches peak illumination on the morning of Friday, March 14, 2025. Look for it on the evening of Thursday, March 13, as the Moon rises above the horizon!
You may have heard the weather proverb, “If March comes in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb,” meaning that if the month starts off stormy, it will end with mild weather. There is, however, a different interpretation: The constellation Leo, the lion, rises in the east at the beginning of March. Thus, the month “comes in like a lion,” while Aries, the ram, sets in the west at the end of the month, and hence, the month “will go out like a lamb.”
The Start of Spring
The March equinox occurs on Thursday, March 20, 2025. In the Northern Hemisphere, this is known as the vernal, or spring, equinox and marks the start of the spring season. In the Southern Hemisphere, autumn begins.
At this time, the Sun crosses the celestial equator on its way north. Also, on this day, the Sun rises exactly in the east and sets exactly in the west—a good thing to know if you get lost in the woods.
Planning a vegetable garden? We’ve done all the research for you—from how far apart to space plants to seeding dates to the best crops to plant together. Try the AlmanacGarden Planner for free!
Wondering when to plant what? Check out our free location-based Planting Calendar to see when to start seeds and transplants in your area.
Just getting started with gardening? Check out our new Learn to Garden series, as well as our numerous veggie, fruit, flower, and herb Growing Guides for more advice.
In celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day, try making some traditional Irish food—from Irish Soda Bread to Corned Beef and Cabbage. See 20 St. Patrick’s Day recipes.
See our Spring Recipes collection for more delicious recipes using the season’s best ingredients.
Now is the time to make maple sugar. Read more about this natural wonder. And, to make use of that delicious syrup, check out our favorite Pancake Recipes!
Everyday Advice
According to folklore, wear a sprig of rosemary in your hair to improve your memory!
March brings rain and mud! Sprinkle salt on carpets to dry out muddy footprints before vacuuming. Find more cleaning tips.
Birds & Fishing
According to Henry David Thoreau, the call of a bluebird is a song that “melts the ear, as the snow.” Read more about this lovely bird in “House-hunting With the Bluebird.”
Check birdhouses for damage and give them a spring cleaning before tenants arrive for the season. Learn how to attract birds to your garden!
On St. Patrick’s Day, the warm side of a stone turns up, and the broad-back goose begins to lay.
March comes in with adders’ heads and goes out with peacocks’ tails.
Thunder in spring, Cold will bring.
So many mists in March you see, So many frosts in May will be.
In beginning or in end, March its gifts will send.
Bleak winds assault us all around; Dances aloft, or skims the ground: See the school-boy—his hat in hand, While on the path he scarce can stand
March’s birth flower is the daffodil or jonquil. The daffodil signifies regard or unrequited love. The jonquil means “I desire a return of affection.” See more about March’s birth flower.
March’s birthstone is the aquamarine. This gem is a type of beryl; its color can be pale to dark blue, greenish-blue, or blue-green; deep, intense blue versions are more valuable. See more about March’s birthstone.
March’s Zodiac signs are Pisces (February 20 to March 20) and Aries (March 21 to April 20).
Learn More
Read about the previous month, February, or the next month, April!
Catherine Boeckmann is the Executive Digital Editor of Almanac.com, the website companion of The Old Farmer's Almanac. She covers gardening, plants, pest control, soil composition, seasonal and moon c...
My wish is that ya'll would quit recommending toxic herbicides and bee killing pesticides and start recommending natural. VINEGAR will kill weeds. mild soap solution will kill most garden pests! And I say WHO cares if you lawn has a few weeds, you're going to mow them down!! Save the bees!
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<span>Corym</span>Fri, 03/28/2014 - 06:43
hi! i was wondering what the vinegar ratio is for weed killer.thanks alot.
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<span>Peggy Lee Smith</span>Tue, 03/11/2014 - 23:16
If i planted broccoli, cabbage, brusselsprout,seed 1st of march, will they live.?
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<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a>Fri, 03/14/2014 - 10:23
Hi, Peggy, It depends where you live. See our Planting Table for your zip code here: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar
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<span>Rita Chapman</span>Thu, 03/06/2014 - 13:09
When is the time to cut wild onions to eliminate them?
In response to the wild onion invading your lawn. Pull them out bulb and all and cook them like the old timers. Or invite an old timer to come get them . Tender young speouts are much sought after and are the hilite of wild onion get togethers and fund raising dinners
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<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a>Tue, 03/11/2014 - 10:07
There are no pre-emergent controls for wild onion, but there are herbicides that will work during the growing season. If you wish to go this route, check with a garden center for the proper material for your area and your grass variety. Mowing wild onions will weaken them but not get rid of them because they grow from tiny bulbs which will re-sprout. You can nip the problem in the bud by digging out the clumps carefully in early spring as they appear, making sure that all the baby bulbs on the sides come up as well. The diminutive onions thrive in heavy, wet soils, so aeration and holding back water may help. If you keep after them for a couple of seasons you will win the battle. We hope that you don’t shed too many tears over your problem!
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<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a>Mon, 03/10/2014 - 16:16
If you're looking for the "best days" by the Moon, then the best times to kill weeds are when the Moon's sign is in Aries, Gemini, Leo, Sagittarius, or Aquarius.
If you need it, you can find the Moon's Place in the Astrological Zodiac calendar in the print Almanac. You can pick up a copy in your local bookstore or find it at www.almanac.com/store .
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<span>Bellemcclean</span>Mon, 03/12/2012 - 11:23
trying to find the right dirrection to set up my garden this year...?
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