What to plant this week in Albuquerque, NM
With the last frost date of March 28 firmly behind us, Albuquerque gardeners are in full swing this week as summer crops like Zucchini and Yellow Summer Squash are ready for direct sowing. The high desert air is dry and hot by day but drops significantly at night, meaning you must prioritize consistent watering to keep those fast-growing melons and beans thriving before the heat peaks.
The next 7 days
Albuquerque, NMGrowing in Albuquerque right now
- The region's unique katabatic wind patterns can strip young leaves quickly; use light row covers during windy afternoons to protect new seedlings without blocking pollinators. Our volcanic soil is alkaline and often sandy, so amend raised beds with compost or organic matter immediately to improve water retention for thirsty crops like Cantaloupe and Watermelon.
- Beefalo grass and other native groundcovers struggle in the current drought conditions; if you are planting Roselle or Malabar Spinach, provide extra shade cloth during midday sun to prevent scorching. Remember that night temperatures often plunge near freezing even when daytime highs are 90°F, so do not delay harvesting Garlic or storing winter squash until the soil fully cools.
- Albuquerque's specific urban heat island effect can extend the growing season by two weeks compared to the surrounding high plains; take advantage of this warmer microclimate to push late plantings of Okra and Bush Bean further into July.
Sow this week
2 crops- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
36 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Pumpkin
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow bush beans every two weeks to ensure a continuous harvest through late August.
- Thin seedlings early on okra and watermelon plants to allow remaining specimens room to spread their vines.
- Apply a light layer of compost around established summer squash and zucchini to feed heavy fruiting plants.
Pest & disease watch
- The desert cottonwood aphid is likely appearing on young Zinnia and Cosmos plants now, so check undersides of leaves daily for sticky honeydew residue. Slugs and snails are active during the humid night hours before dawn, particularly in low-lying areas where they target tender Basil and Shiso.
- Powdery mildew spores thrive in our dry winds when humidity spikes at night on dense canopies; prune early growth on Pumpkin and Winter Squash to increase airflow and reduce fungal pressure.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the early morning to keep soil moist without wetting foliage, especially when fruit sets in.
Harvest zucchini and summer squash every two days to prevent them from becoming tough and bitter.
Albuquerque gardening questions
3Can I start seeds indoors for the summer harvest list?
No, none of this week's recommended plants like Zucchini or Watermelon need indoor starting because our March 28 frost date means they can go straight into the ground. Planting them directly avoids transplant shock in our fragile root systems and ensures faster establishment in the dry soil.
When should I harvest the melons listed for this week?
Harvest Cantaloupe, Honeydew Melon, and Watermelon soon when they slip easily from the vine or develop a full rind color specific to the variety. Do not wait too long in the high desert heat, as the fruit can split under pressure from rapid water uptake or over-ripen quickly.
How do I protect my Garlic before the first frost of November 15?
Since Garlic is listed for harvest soon and requires dry curing, dig up bulbs now if they have formed a tight papery skin to prevent rotting in winter rains. If you planted hardneck varieties earlier, ensure the soil has dried out completely before lifting them to extend their shelf life.
Other cities in zone 7b
12See the full zone 7b guide → · Plan your Albuquerque garden in SproutGuide →