Vegetables to grow in march in Muzaffarnagar up | Block-Wise Vegetable Guide
Are you a farmer from Muzaffarnagar, up (UP)? In March, in blocks like Baghra, Bhutana, Budhana, Charthawal, Jansath, Khatauli, Morna, Muzaffarnagar, Shahpur, the usual standing or harvest-ready crops are Okra, Cucumber, Bottle gourd, Bitter gourd, Pumpkin, Sugarcane. Some farmers are preparing nursery beds for Tomato, Chilli, Brinjal, Cauliflower, Cabbage.
In many areas, fresh leafy crops like Amaranth, Spinach, Coriander are also being sown. March marks the end of the Rabi season with harvesting in full swing and the beginning of the hot, dry Zaid season, so maintaining soil moisture through timely irrigation is critical for newly sown crops. So your planning now will decide your profits in May–June.
We have prepared a farmer’s guide for Muzaffarnagar 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 october
- Standing/harvest crops: Sugarcane harvesting is ongoing, and rice is being harvested in many fields.
Okra and brinjal are also ready for picking.
Some farmers are harvesting maize.
- Nursery beds: Cauliflower and cabbage seedlings are being raised in nurseries.
Tomato seedlings are also being prepared for transplanting.
Onion seedlings are getting ready.
- Fresh leafy crops: Spinach and fenugreek sowing is underway for a fresh supply of greens.
Coriander is also being sown.
- Pulses/cash crops: Pigeon pea is maturing in unirrigated areas.
Some farmers are sowing mustard as a cash crop.
👉 Overall, in early october, fields in Muzaffarnagar show a mix of standing sugarcane and rice, nurseries for winter vegetables, leafy greens, and maturing pigeon pea and mustard.
What to start now (March)
Sowing of Summer Vegetables: Start sowing vegetables like bottle gourd, bitter gourd, cucumber, pumpkin, and watermelon. These vegetables require warm weather for germination and growth.
✅ Benefit – Good yield in the summer season and fetches good market price.
Sugarcane Planting: This is the optimal time for planting sugarcane in Muzaffarnagar. Ensure proper irrigation and soil preparation for better yield.
✅ Benefit – Higher sugarcane yields contribute to better income.
Prepare for Paddy Nursery: Start preparing nursery beds for paddy. Ensure the availability of water for irrigation.
✅ Benefit – Ensures timely transplanting and good yield of paddy.
Irrigation: Provide timely irrigation to Rabi crops like wheat and mustard. Check for any pest or disease infestations.
✅ Benefit – Proper irrigation and pest control ensures good yield.
Fodder Crop Sowing: Sow fodder crops like maize or sorghum for livestock. This will ensure the availability of fodder during the summer months.
✅ Benefit – Continuous feed for the livestock.
👉 In this way, by planning summer vegetable sowing, sugarcane planting, paddy nursery preparation, irrigation and fodder crop sowing in March in Muzaffarnagar, farmers can increase their income.
Let’s Start in march – Crop + Method + Advantage
Crop |
How to Plant (Method & Spacing) |
Advantage for Muzaffarnagar Farmers |
Sugarcane |
Plant setts in rows 90-120 cm apart, bud facing up |
Main crop for Muzaffarnagar, stable income |
Wheat (Late Sowing) |
Sow seeds 22.5 cm apart with higher seed rate (125 kg/ha) |
Can still get a decent yield if sown by mid-march |
Mustard |
Sow seeds in rows 30 cm apart, thin to maintain plant spacing |
Relatively short duration, good oilseed option |
Sunflower |
Sow seeds 45 cm apart; ensure proper irrigation |
Short duration, fits well after potato harvest |
Green Gram (Moong) |
Sow seeds in rows 30 cm apart after pre-soaking |
Short duration, improves soil fertility |
Okra (Bhindi) |
Sow seeds in rows 45 cm apart; ensure good soil moisture |
Good market demand in early summer |
Bottle Gourd/Bitter Gourd |
Sow seeds in pits 2-3 m apart, provide support |
Can fetch good prices if started early |
Fodder Crops (e.g., Sorghum, Maize) |
Sow seeds in rows 30 cm apart; ensure irrigation |
Provides green fodder for livestock during summer |
Jute |
Line sowing with a spacing of 30 cm |
Fibers are strong and have good demand |
Mentha |
Rhizome planting |
High Value crop for the farmers of muzaffarnagar |
Block-Wise Snapshot (Quick View)
Block |
Sow Now |
Transplant |
Pest Watch |
Irrigation Tip |
Charthawal |
Spinach, Fenugreek, Radish |
Tomato, Chili |
Aphids, Whiteflies |
Irrigate every 10-12 days |
Muzaffarnagar |
Coriander, Mustard |
Cauliflower, Cabbage |
Diamondback Moth |
Light irrigation, avoid waterlogging |
Jansath |
Pea, Garlic |
Brinjal |
Thrips, Mites |
Drip irrigation for water efficiency |
Khatauli |
Carrot, Turnip |
Capsicum |
Fruit Borer |
Mulch to conserve moisture |
Budhana |
Potato |
Onion |
Early Blight |
Sprinkler irrigation, avoid overwatering |
Shahpur |
Sugarcane (Setts) |
None |
Pyrilla, Termites |
Ensure adequate soil moisture |
Purkazi |
Barley, Wheat |
None |
Aphids |
Monitor soil moisture regularly |
Sardhana |
Mustard |
None |
Sawfly |
Irrigate based on crop need |
Kandhla |
Gram |
None |
Pod Borer |
Avoid water stress |
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Block-Wise Recommendations (Detailed)
🌾 Baghra Block
- Sow now: Bottle gourd, bitter gourd, cucumber, pumpkin, ladyfinger
- Prepare seedling: Chilli, brinjal
- How & Why:
- March is ideal for sowing cucurbits (gourds).
- Early sowing of chilli/brinjal ensures good yield and price.
- Advantage: Cucurbits give good yield in summer. Early chilli/brinjal avoids monsoon glut.
🌾 Bhutana Block
- Sow now: Okra, cluster bean, cowpea
- Transplant: Tomato, chilli, brinjal
- How & Why:
- These vegetables are suitable for summer cultivation.
- Transplanting ensures early harvest.
- Advantage: Good market demand and price during off-season.
🌾 Budhana Block
- Sow now: Watermelon, muskmelon
- Prepare seedling: Tomato, chilli
- How & Why:
- Sowing of cucurbits is ideal in March.
- Early nursery ensures timely transplanting.
- Advantage: High profit potential with cucurbits. Early transplanting avoids monsoon issues.
🌾 Charthawal Block
- Sow now: Summer squash, ridge gourd
- Transplant: Chilli, tomato, brinjal
- How & Why:
- Summer squash and ridge gourd give good yield in summer months.
- Transplanting helps in early harvesting.
- Advantage: Suitable for summer cultivation with good market demand.
🌾 Jansath Block
- Sow now: Amaranthus, spinach, fenugreek
- Transplant: Tomato, chilli
- How & Why:
- Short duration crops suitable for quick income.
- Early transplanting of tomato and chilli is beneficial.
- Advantage: Quick returns and good market for early vegetables.
🌾 Khatauli Block
- Sow now: Cucumber, bitter gourd
- Prepare seedling: Chilli, brinjal
- How & Why:
- Cucumber and bitter gourd thrive in summer.
- Seedlings will be ready for transplanting after a month.
- Advantage: Good summer vegetables with reliable market.
🌾 Morna Block
- Sow now: Bottle gourd, pumpkin
- Transplant: Tomato, brinjal, chilli
- How & Why:
- Bottle gourd and pumpkin give high yields in summer.
- Transplanting ensures early crops.
- Advantage: Potential for high returns with proper care.
🌾 Muzaffarnagar Block
- Sow now: Ladyfinger, cluster bean
- Transplant: Tomato, chilli
- How & Why:
- These crops are well-suited to the climate.
- Transplanting gives a head start.
- Advantage: Steady income from reliable crops.
🌾 Shahpur Block
- Sow now: Watermelon, muskmelon
- Prepare Seedling: Chilli, Tomato
- How & Why:
- Cucurbits are suited to summer.
- Seedlings will be ready post-March.
- Advantage: High returns; seedlings will be ready for transplanting soon.
Pest Watch & Irrigation Tips
Key pests to watch
- Okra: Fruit borer, jassids
- Cucurbits (gourds/cucumber): Fruit fly, powdery mildew
- Tomato/Brinjal/Chilli: Fruit & shoot borer, whitefly
- Leafy greens: Aphids, leaf miner
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, depending on soil type and crop.
- Avoid water stagnation; ensure good drainage.
- Use mulching (dry leaves/straw/plastic where feasible) to save moisture and reduce weeds.
- Prefer drip or furrow irrigation for efficiency, especially for summer vegetables.
Conclusion
March in Muzaffarnagar is all about preparing for summer and quick planting:
- Finish harvesting any remaining late winter crops like peas and carrots.
- Start direct sowing of summer cucurbits: bottle gourd, bitter gourd, pumpkin, ridge gourd.
- Sow okra (Bhindi) varieties suitable for early summer.
- Prepare fields thoroughly and ensure timely, adequate irrigation as temperatures rise.
- Monitor new plantings for early pest attacks, especially aphids and fruit borers.
By focusing on timely sowing of high-demand summer vegetables, ensuring proper water management, and proactive pest control, you’ll position yourself for a successful and profitable summer harvest.