Vegetables to grow in march in Basti up | Block-Wise Vegetable Guide
Are you a farmer from Basti, Uttar Pradesh (UP)? In March, in blocks like Bahadurpur, Bankati, Basti, Dudhaura, Gaur, Harraiya, Kaptanganj, Khesaraha, Parshurampur, Ramnagar, Saltauwa, Sau Ghat, Vikramjot, the usual standing or harvest-ready crops are Wheat, Mustard, Potato, Garlic, Sugarcane. Some farmers are preparing nursery beds for Tomato, Brinjal, Chilli, Bottle Gourd, Cucumber.
In many areas, fresh leafy crops like Amaranth, Spinach, Mint are also being sown. This is the start of the Zaid season as Rabi crops are harvested, so with rising temperatures and decreasing soil moisture, timely irrigation is crucial for summer vegetables. So your planning now will decide your profits in May–June.
We have prepared a farmer’s guide for Basti district for the month of March. This guide explains:
- Which crops should be sown now,
- Which crops should be raised in nurseries and when to transplant them,
- Which seeds can be sown directly without nurseries, and
- When nursery plants should be transplanted if they are ready.
You will get this information block-wise in the guide so you can easily decide what to do in March according to your area.
What fields typically look like early march
- Standing/harvest crops: Sugarcane, wheat, mustard, and potato are still in the fields, ready for harvest.
- Nursery beds: Brinjal, tomato, chilli, and okra seedlings are being raised for timely transplanting.
- Fresh leafy crops: Spinach (palak), fenugreek (methi), and coriander (dhaniya) sowing has started, ensuring early availability of greens.
- Pulses/cash crops: Lentil (masoor) and mustard continue in suitable areas.
👉 Overall, in early march, fields in Basti show a mix of standing vegetables, nurseries, new leafy sowings, and pulse/cash crops.
What to start now (March)
Sowing of summer vegetables (direct sowing):
Pumpkin, bitter gourd, bottle gourd, cucumber, watermelon, muskmelon, okra, cluster bean, cowpea.
✅ Benefit – Provides vegetables during peak summer when market prices are high.
Nursery preparation:
Prepare nurseries for early kharif crops like brinjal, tomato, chili, and cauliflower.
✅ Benefit – Ensures timely availability of seedlings for transplanting after the monsoon arrives.
Irrigation:
Provide irrigation to existing crops like wheat, mustard, and sugarcane to protect them from heat stress.
✅ Benefit – Prevents yield loss due to moisture stress and maintains crop health.
Intercropping:
Intercrop summer pulses like green gram and black gram in sugarcane fields.
✅ Benefit – Maximizes land utilization and provides additional income.
Fodder crops:
Sow fodder crops like maize, sorghum, and pearl millet for livestock feed.
✅ Benefit – Ensures adequate fodder supply for animals during summer months.
👉 In this way, by planning direct sowing, nurseries, irrigation and intercropping in March, farmers in Basti district can increase their income.
Let’s Start in March – Crop + Method + Advantage
Crop |
How to Plant (Method & Spacing) |
Advantage for Farmers |
Okra (Bhindi) |
Direct sowing; rows 45-60 cm apart; plant 15-20 cm apart |
Fast growth; high demand in Basti markets |
Bottle Gourd (Lauki) |
Sow seeds 60-90 cm apart on raised beds |
Good yield; fetches a good price in March |
Sponge Gourd (Turai) |
Sow seeds 60 cm apart; provide support for climbing |
Early harvest; good market price in Basti |
Bitter Gourd (Karela) |
Sow seeds 90 cm apart; trellis support recommended |
High medicinal value; good income potential |
Cowpea (Lobhia) |
Direct sowing; 30-45 cm row spacing; plant 10-15 cm apart |
Nitrogen-fixing; improves soil health; good for intercropping |
Green Gram (Moong) |
Direct sowing; 30 cm row spacing; use seed drill for uniform sowing |
Short duration crop; fits well in crop rotations; additional income |
Cluster Bean (Guar) |
Direct sowing; 45 cm row spacing; plant 15 cm apart |
Drought-resistant; suitable for rainfed areas of Basti |
Summer Squash (Kaddu) |
Sow seeds 60 cm apart on raised beds |
Fast growing; high yield; good demand in local markets |
Cucumber (Kheera) |
Sow seeds 45 cm apart; provide support for climbing |
Cooling effect; high water content; popular summer vegetable |
Amaranth (Chaulai) |
Direct sowing; broadcast seeds; thin seedlings after germination |
Nutritious leafy vegetable; fast growing; regular income |
Block-Wise Snapshot (Quick View)
Block |
Sow Now |
Transplant |
Pest Watch |
Irrigation Tip |
Basti Sadar |
Okra, Bottle Gourd, Bitter Gourd |
Chili, Tomato |
Fruit Flies, Aphids |
Irrigate every 5-7 days |
बहादुरपुर (Bahadurpur) |
Cucumber, Pumpkin |
Brinjal, Capsicum |
Whitefly, Thrips |
Ensure proper drainage |
साऊंघाट (Saunghat) |
Cowpea, Cluster Bean |
Tomato |
Leaf Miners |
Drip irrigation recommended |
बनकटी (Bankati) |
Sponge Gourd, Ridge Gourd |
Chili |
Mites |
Water during early morning or late afternoon |
रुधौली (Rudhauli) |
Watermelon, Muskmelon |
Cabbage, Cauliflower |
Diamondback Moth |
Avoid over-irrigation |
कप्तानगंज (Kaptanganj) |
Amaranth, Spinach |
Brinjal |
Jassids |
Light irrigation is beneficial |
विक्रमजोत (Vikramjot) |
Radish, Carrot |
Tomato, Chili |
Root Knot Nematode |
Check soil moisture regularly |
कुदरहा (Kudraha) |
Onion, Garlic |
Capsicum |
Purple Blotch |
Use furrow irrigation |
परसरामपुर (Parasrampur) |
Mint, Fenugreek |
Cabbage |
Cabbage Butterfly |
Mulch to retain moisture |
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Block-Wise Recommendations (Detailed)
🌾 Bahadurpur Block
- Sow now: Okra, Bottle Gourd, Cucumber, Bitter Gourd.
- Prepare Nursery: Tomato, Chilli, Brinjal.
- How & Why:
- March is ideal for sowing summer vegetables in Basti.
- Raising nursery now ensures timely transplanting in April.
🌾 Bankati Block
- Sow now: Pumpkin, Tinda, Sponge Gourd, Ridge Gourd.
- Transplant: Early Cauliflower, Cabbage.
- How & Why:
- These vegetables thrive in the warm and humid climate of Basti.
- Transplanting early cauliflower ensures harvest before peak summer.
- Advantage: Good market demand for these vegetables in local markets.
🌾 Basti Block
- Sow now: Amaranthus, Cowpea, Cluster Bean.
- Transplant: Chilli, Brinjal.
- How & Why:
- Short duration crops like amaranthus fit well in crop rotation.
- Transplanting chilli and brinjal now gives good yield.
- Advantage: Quick returns and improved soil health.
🌾 Dudhaura Block
- Sow now: Watermelon, Muskmelon.
- Prepare Nursery: Tomato (for late season).
- How & Why:
- Sandy loam soil of Dudhaura block is suitable for melons.
- Late season tomato nursery ensures supply during off-season.
- Advantage: High profitability with proper management.
🌾 Gaur Block
- Sow now: Onion (spring), Garlic (spring).
- Intercropping: Sugarcane with Okra or Cowpea.
- How & Why:
- Spring onion and garlic fetch good price in summer.
- Intercropping increases overall farm income.
- Advantage: Efficient land utilization and increased income.
🌾 Harraiya Block
- Sow now: Spinach, Fenugreek (Methi), Coriander (Dhaniya).
- Transplant: Tomato, Chilli seedlings.
- How & Why:
- Short duration leafy vegetables provide quick returns.
- Transplanting ensures early crop establishment.
- Advantage: Fulfills local market demand and supplements income.
🌾 Kaptanganj Block
- Sow now: Cucumber, Bottle Gourd, Bitter Gourd.
- Prepare Nursery: Brinjal, Chilli, Tomato.
- How & Why:
- Early sowing of cucurbits ensures good yield before peak summer.
- Nursery raising allows for timely transplanting.
- Advantage: Caters to local market demand.
🌾 Khesaraha Block
- Sow now: Okra (Bhindi), Cowpea (Lobia).
- Transplant: Early Cauliflower, Cabbage seedlings.
- How & Why:
- Okra and cowpea are suitable for intercropping.
- Early transplanting avoids pest and disease issues.
- Advantage: Improved soil health and better yields.
🌾 Parshurampur Block
- Sow now: Watermelon, Muskmelon, Pumpkin.
- Prepare Nursery: Tomato (for main season).
- How & Why:
- Well-drained sandy loam soil is ideal for cucurbits.
- Raising nursery for main season tomato ensures timely transplanting.
- Advantage: Good returns with proper water management.
🌾 Ramnagar Block
- Sow now: Amaranthus (Chaulai), Spinach (Palak).
- Transplant: Chilli, Brinjal Seedlings.
- How & Why:
- Quick-growing leafy vegetables fill the market gap.
- Transplanting gives the seedlings a head start.
- Advantage: Short duration crops provide quick income.
🌾 Saltauwa Block
- Sow now: Bottle Gourd, Sponge Gourd, Ridge Gourd.
- Prepare Nursery: Chilli, Brinjal, Tomato.
- How & Why:
- Creepers thrive in the local climate.
- Nursery raising allows for transplanting at the optimum time.
- Advantage: High yield potential with proper support structures.
🌾 Sau Ghat Block
- Sow now: Okra, Cluster Bean, Cowpea.
- Transplant: Early Cauliflower, Cabbage.
- How & Why:
- These vegetables are well-suited to the local soil.
- Early transplanting of cole crops avoids heat stress.
- Advantage: Efficient use of land and resources.
🌾 Vikramjot Block
- Sow now: Cucumber, Bitter Gourd, Watermelon.
- Prepare Nursery: Tomato seedlings.
- How & Why:
- These vegetables thrive in the warm climate and sandy soil.
- Nursery raising ensures a healthy start for tomato plants.
- Advantage: Good profitability with proper pest control.
Pest Watch & Irrigation Tips
Key pests to watch
- Okra: Jassids, Fruit borer
- Cucurbits (gourds/cucumber): Fruit fly, Powdery mildew
- Leafy greens: Aphids, Leaf miners
- Tomato/Brinjal: Fruit borer, Whitefly
Simple actions:
- Scout twice a week. Check undersides of leaves and growing tips.
- Remove and destroy infested fruits/leaves.
- Use pheromone traps for fruit/borer insects and keep fields clean of weeds.
- Follow label-recommended sprays only when needed; rotate sprays to avoid resistance.
Irrigation
- Give light irrigation every 5–7 days (soil-moisture based), as temperatures rise.
- Avoid water stagnation in nurseries; ensure proper drainage.
- Use mulching (dry leaves/straw/plastic where feasible) to save moisture and reduce weeds.
- Prefer drip or furrow irrigation for gourds and tomato where possible.
Conclusion
March in Basti is all about preparing for summer:
- Finish harvesting of remaining winter vegetables like late peas or potatoes.
- Start quick summer greens (e.g., Amaranth) for early cash flow.
- Plant direct-sown summer vegetables like Okra (Bhindi), Bottle Gourd (Lauki), Sponge Gourd (Torai), and Cucumber (Kheera).
- Transplant nursery-raised brinjal and chili seedlings for the main summer crop.
- Increase irrigation as temperatures rise and watch out for early summer pests.
If you follow these steps—clearing winter crops, planting quick summer greens for cash, and establishing main summer vegetables with timely water and pest management—you’ll be well-prepared for a successful and profitable summer harvest.