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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 the Roman god of war, Mars. 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 Calendar
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 10 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 10 also marks the start of Ramadan, which begins at sundown. In Islam, Ramadan is considered a holy month when a month-long, sunrise-to-sunset fast is observed.
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 19 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 24 is Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter and the last Sunday of Lent.
March 29-31 are known as the Borrowing Days. According to lore, the last three 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 Monday, March 25, 2024. Look for it on the evening of Sunday, March 24, 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,” which means 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 Tuesday, March 19, 2024. 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 to space plants to seeding dates to the best crops to plant together. Try the Almanac Garden 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.
Recipes for the Season
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 loves nature, stargazing, and gardening so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website, and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana. Read More from Catherine Boeckmann
I would like to know why the 1st day of Lent is called "Ash Wednesday." Who came up with the idea of smearing ashes on foreheads? When? Why? Find no directives in the Bible.
"March 14 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!"
I believe that you would find yourself an hour early if you didn't change your clocks to "spring ahead" daylight savings time.
My daffodils have sprouted here in southwestern PA. They are a few inches high. Temps are supposed to drop into the 20's the next few nights. Should I protect and cover these little sprouts or leave them be?
I have wild onions all over my lawn I was told there is a certain time you mow them and they wont come back does anybody have any information on this I would appreciate it I am in North carolina
The organic method of eliminating these is to dig them up, careful not to shake even the tiniest ones back into the soil. Removal this way is easiest when the soil is moist to wet.
If you are looking for true “best days.” astrologically speaking, they would be in the print edition of the Almanac. Because there are many days through the season it is not possible to identify them all here. You can get the dates by month on this web site. Here’s March: https://www.almanac.com/bestdays/timetable Look at “destroy pests and weeds.” In future, search this site (top left) for “best days” and the months appear.
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!