What to plant this week in Albany, NY
With Albany's soil still damp from late spring rains and temperatures hovering near freezing, this week is for finalizing fall garlic planting rather than starting new seeds. Focus on hardening off your Daikon radishes now that the risk of a hard freeze before harvest has passed.
The next 7 days
Albany, NYGrowing in Albany right now
- Work compost into the clay-loam soils of the Capital Region to improve drainage before pressing in cold-hardy crops.
- Use black plastic or row covers over garlic beds tonight if a dip below 10°F is forecasted for the weekend.
- Monitor moisture levels carefully; wet feet in Albany's low-lying areas can rot bulbs not yet fully dormant.
Sow this week
No direct sowing windows open this week.
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
2 crops- Daikon Radish
- Garlic
Seasonal tips
- Apply fresh mulch now to retain soil moisture as temperatures rise.
- Test soil pH before adding any compost or amendments for new transplants.
- Keep a close eye on emerging seedlings to protect them from late spring fluctuations.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for onion flies moving toward emerging garlic shoots as soil warms slightly during midday sun.
- Check Daikon radish leaves for aphid clusters that thrive in the cool, humid air typical of late April/early May.
- Prevent powdery mildew on all brassicas by ensuring good airflow between plants before the rainy season sets in.
Watering this week
Water deeply but less frequently now that the soil is warming up, encouraging strong root development.
Harvest Daikon Radish promptly before the heat sets in to ensure the best crunch and flavor.
Albany gardening questions
3When exactly should I plant my garlic cloves in Albany?
Aim to get your hardneck and softneck varieties into the ground within the next two weeks, targeting dates closer to April 21st as a safety margin against late frosts. Plant them about 2 inches deep with the pointy end facing up.
Can I sow seeds for Daikon radishes right now or wait?
Since your harvest list indicates these are ready soon, you should be transplanting established seedlings rather than sowing new seeds this week. Direct seeding is risky in our current fluctuating temps, so prioritize moving young plants to their final spots.
What is the biggest risk for my garlic in late April?
The primary concern is a late spring freeze damaging the developing bulbs before they establish roots. Cover your beds with row covers if temperatures drop near zero overnight after planting.
Other cities in zone 6a
12See the full zone 6a guide → · Plan your Albany garden in SproutGuide →