What to plant this week in Albuquerque, NM
With average last frost dates ending around March 28, Albuquerque gardeners are now fully in the thick of spring planting for Zone 7b. This week marks the perfect time to sow heat-loving crops like cantaloupe and cucumbers as we move into late spring warmth.
The next 7 days
Albuquerque, NMGrowing in Albuquerque right now
- The high desert diurnal temperature swings mean evening transplants need extra mulch to retain moisture overnight despite daytime heat.
- Albuquerque's alkaline soils often require sulfur or peat moss adjustments before sowing acid-loving plants like edamame or fennel.
- Dust storms are common in April/May; cover newly sown seeds with row covers immediately after planting to protect from wind erosion.
- Water conservation is critical this week as rainfall patterns shift toward dry spells, necessitating drip irrigation for watermelon and zucchini.
Sow this week
27 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Lima Bean
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
48 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Brussels Sprouts
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Celery
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Dahlia
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia)
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Habanero Pepper
- Honeydew Melon
- Leek
- Lima Bean
- Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian)
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine
- Parsnip
- Pole Bean
- Potato
- Pumpkin
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Sweet Potato
- Thai Basil
- Tomatillo
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow bush beans and pole beans every two weeks to extend your summer bean harvest.
- Apply a light mulch around newly transplanted squash and watermelons to retain soil moisture as temperatures rise.
- Pinch back the tops of basil plants regularly now that they are established to encourage bushier growth.
- Prepare for a second planting of fast-maturing crops like radishes or lettuce if you missed an earlier window.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites are rapidly colonizing young bean plants due to the rising heat and low humidity typical of our high desert climate.
- Cutworms are actively attacking the base of recently transplanted peppers and squash in urban backyards across the metro area.
- Powdery mildew is beginning to appear on zinnias and marigolds as temperatures consistently hover above 80°F during the day.
Watering this week
Water deeply at the base of plants each morning to encourage deep roots while preventing fungal diseases on foliage.
Harvest your okra early in the morning when pods are tender, as they become tough and stringy later in the day.
Albuquerque gardening questions
3Can I plant bush beans now in Albuquerque, or do I need to wait for soil warmth?
Yes, you can sow bush beans immediately this week since our average last frost is March 28 and soils are warming up fast. However, check the soil temperature with a thermometer first; if it's below 60°F, cover seeds with clear plastic to warm them before planting.
What should I do about dust settling on my new watermelon plants?
Lightly mist your sown seeds and emerging seedlings early in the morning to wash away fine desert dust that can choke young roots. Avoid heavy watering later in the day which might promote fungal issues common in our dry air.
Are there any specific pests I should watch for on my ghost pepper plants this week?
Watch closely for aphids and spider mites, as these are prevalent on hot peppers right now when temperatures climb. Inspect leaf undersides daily and apply a strong spray of water or neem oil if you see clustering.
Other cities in zone 7b
12See the full zone 7b guide → · Plan your Albuquerque garden in SproutGuide →