What to plant this week in Albuquerque, NM
In Albuquerque's high desert, this week marks the final push for garlic lovers before our typical late March frost hits on average. While many wait for warmer soil to plant bulbs, now is precisely the time to sow garlic in our zone 7b conditions.
The next 7 days
Albuquerque, NMGrowing in Albuquerque right now
- Our thin soils and intense summer heat require deep planting of garlic cloves (4 inches) to encourage strong root establishment before winter.
- Protect young seedlings with row covers if a late freeze threatens after our average last frost date of March 28.
- Mulch heavily with straw or wood chips now to retain moisture in our dry climate and keep soil temperatures stable for germination.
- Take advantage of the current cool air to transplant any late-starting cool-season greens before spring heat waves arrive.
Sow this week
1 crops- Garlic
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
2 crops- Daikon Radish
- Garlic
Seasonal tips
- Finish harvesting cool-season crops like Daikon radish before temperatures drop too low.
- Plant cover crops or winter rye now to protect soil structure during the dormant season.
- Apply a thick layer of mulch around garlic plants to insulate bulbs from freezing ground.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for aphids clustering on new garlic shoots as they emerge from dormancy.
- Monitor for cutworms that may target transplanted seedlings in our sandy loam gardens.
- Check leaf undersides for spider mites, which can thrive quickly as temperatures rise above 60°F.
Watering this week
Water garlic lightly and only when the soil is dry, avoiding wetting the bulbs directly to prevent rot.
Store your freshly harvested Daikon radishes in a cool, humid place like a crisper drawer or sand-filled bin.
Albuquerque gardening questions
3Can I harvest my garlic right now?
No, your garlic is still overwintering and needs to stay in the ground until mid-summer. You only need to sow fresh bulbs this week; harvesting Daikon radish or existing garlic stems should wait for later dates.
How do I protect new garlic from our March freezes?
Our average last frost is late March, so planting now allows roots to establish before the cold settles. If a sudden freeze occurs after mid-March, cover emerging shoots with floating row covers or burlap until temperatures stabilize.
Does my Albuquerque soil need special preparation for garlic?
Yes, amend your native sandy-loam soil with plenty of organic matter like compost to hold moisture and nutrients. Garlic thrives in loose, well-draining beds that won't waterlog during our occasional spring rains.
Other cities in zone 7b
12See the full zone 7b guide → · Plan your Albuquerque garden in SproutGuide →