Lowcountry Almanac: March 2026

Weather predictions, gardening advice and astronomical events to catch this month in the Lowcountry.

Story by Bailey Gilliam
Photography by Chris Smith

March arrives with a sense of motion across the Lowcountry. Morning light lingers a little longer, the marsh begins to green and garden beds stir from their winter rest. Along the coast, daily rhythms feel lighter and more active as the season turns. Named for Mars, the Roman god of war and action, March has long been associated with momentum and renewal, an apt match for this moment of seasonal change. Drawing from the 2026 Old Farmer’s Almanac and Grow Great Vegetables South Carolina, this month’s almanac offers guidance for stepping confidently into the growing season ahead.

Weather predictions

March ushers in a noticeable change with warmer temperatures, shifting skies and the first true taste of spring.

Average temperature: 55 degrees (1 degree below average)
Rainfall: 4 inches (1/2 inch below average)

Forecast by week

• March 1-7: Sunny, cool
• March 8-16: Periods of rain, chilly
• March 17-22: Sunny, warmer
• March 23-29: Scattered showers, warm
• March 30-31: Sunny, cooler

Astronomical events

The night sky is highlighted by the spring equinox and increasingly bright evenings.

• March 3: The full moon, known as the Worm Moon, reaches peak illumination early in the day, lighting up the evening and early morning sky. The name comes from traditional lore tied to thawing soil and increasing natural activity.
• increasing natural activity. Indoors: Set sweet potatoes in flats under cover to
• March 3: A total lunar eclipse occurs as the moon passes fully through Earth’s shadow and can take on a reddish tint, often called a blood moon.
• March 19: A new moon phase begins, leaving the night sky temporarily moonless and creating ideal conditions for stargazing.
• March 20: The March equinox marks the official astronomical start of spring when the sun crosses the celestial equator and day and night are nearly equal before daylight continues to increase.

In the garden

Momentum builds in the garden this month as warmer soil and longer days invite planting, pruning and early spring growth.

Prep: Prepare beds, and cover with plastic to warm the soil. Weed perennials, then fertilize and side-dress garlic and onions with compost.

Plant: March offers ideal planting conditions, with warming soil and consistent daylight supporting strong root development.

• Indoors: Set sweet potatoes in flats under cover to produce slips, lightly covering them with potting mix or compost.
• Outdoors: Plant radishes, carrots, beets, turnips, fava beans, spinach and beans. Finish transplanting collards, cabbage, broccoli and Asian greens. Later in the month, transplant tomatoes, peppers and eggplants

Harvest: Seasonal harvests include arugula, beets, carrots, collards, kale, leaf celery, lettuce, mustard greens and radishes.

Tides & currents

Stay in step with the Lowcountry coast and check for up-to-date tide and current predictions from NOAA.

Best days

Based on lunar phases, these are March’s most favorable days for select activities:

• Go fishing: March 1-3, 18-31
• Wearing green: March 15-17
• Spring cleaning: March 17-20
• Camping: March 9-11
• Leisure travel: March 27-29