What to plant this week in Allentown, PA
Allentown gardeners are wrapping up the final fall harvest this week, as Daikon radishes and garlic bulbs reach maturity just before our typical November 6 frost date. With temperatures hovering near our zone 7a minimum of 0°F, it is critical to protect your remaining crops from the early chill.
The next 7 days
Allentown, PAGrowing in Allentown right now
- The valley floor terrain around Allentown often traps cold air; ensure garlic plants are fully cured in a dry garage or shed before storing them for winter.
- While heavy snows can insulate soil, watch for ice crusts on raised beds that may crack clay-heavy local soils during freeze-thaw cycles near the Lehigh River.
- Do not transplant anything now; wait until after our average April 3rd last frost date to start cool-season annuals like peas and lettuce indoors or outdoors.
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
- Plant garlic cloves now to ensure a strong spring harvest next year.
- Apply winter mulch around perennials once the soil has frozen solid to protect roots from heaving.
- Divide biennial plants like sweet Williams if they have finished flowering this season.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for aphid clusters on Daikon radish tops just before harvest, as these can cause stunting in the final weeks of growth.
- Monitor garlic plants for onion thrips damage that may show up as silvery streaking on leaves before the ground freezes.
- Check seedling bins for cabbage loopers if you plan to start brassicas indoors this week.
Watering this week
Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out between sessions to prevent root rot in cool, damp conditions.
Mark your sown garlic spots clearly now so you won't forget where they are when digging for spring onions later!
Allentown gardening questions
3When is the best time to plant garlic in Allentown?
You should have planted your hardneck or softneck garlic varieties by late October at the latest, as they need several weeks of autumn growth before our winter dormancy period begins. If you missed this window, wait until early spring after the frost date passes.
What are the first frost dates I should remember for Allentown planning?
Harvest your radishes now by gently loosening the soil with a fork to avoid bruising the taproots, then cure them for three days in a cool, dry place before storing them at 32°F and 95% humidity.
When does my last chance to get seedlings outside safely occur?
Our average first hard frost is November 6, but temperatures can dip near 0°F in December; use row covers immediately if a freeze forecast arrives before then.
Other cities in zone 7a
12See the full zone 7a guide → · Plan your Allentown garden in SproutGuide →