What to plant this week in Buffalo, NY
With average last frost still sitting until April 21, Buffalo gardeners are currently in the waiting game rather than the planting phase. While your harvest basket is already full of peppers, tomatoes, and beans from late summer plantings, focus now on protecting those crops against early cool snaps typical of our Lake Erie basin climate.
The next 7 days
Buffalo, NYGrowing in Buffalo right now
- Our heavy clay soils retain moisture well but drain slowly; ensure excellent drainage for any newly planted bulbs or spring perennials to prevent rot during our wet springs.
- Expect significant wind chill from Lake Erie even when temperatures hover near freezing, so delay planting tender transplants until the soil has fully warmed past mid-May.
- Buffalo's short growing window means prioritize quick-maturing varieties and consider season extenders like cold frames or hoop houses for your summer crops.
Sow this week
17 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cucumber
- French Marigold
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Summer Savory
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
58 crops- Anaheim (New Mexico) Pepper
- Banana Pepper
- Basil
- Beefsteak Tomato
- Beet
- Bell Pepper
- Borage
- Brussels Sprouts
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Carrot
- Cayenne Pepper
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Dahlia
- Edamame
- Eggplant
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Geranium (Zonal)
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Honeydew Melon
- Jalapeño
- Lantana
- Lima Bean
- Malabar Spinach
- Marconi Pepper
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine
- Parsley
- Parsnip
- Petunia
- Poblano Pepper
- Pole Bean
- Potato
- Roma Tomato
- Rutabaga
- Scallion (Bunching Onion)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Serrano Pepper
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Snapdragon
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Tomatillo
- Tomato
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow bush beans and pole beans every two weeks for a continuous harvest throughout the summer.
- Mulch around young tomato and pepper plants to retain soil moisture as temperatures rise above 80°F.
- Thin carrot and beet seedlings now to prevent overcrowding and ensure sturdy root development.
Pest & disease watch
- Late-season aphids and spider mites often surge on stressed pepper and tomato plants as temperatures fluctuate between our hot summers and sudden freezes.
- Soil-dwelling wireworms remain active in our heavy clay, so inspect newly sown seeds closely before covering them too deeply.
- Powdery mildew can quickly spread through susceptible squash varieties when humidity remains high during our cool summer nights.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the early morning to encourage deep root growth and reduce evaporation losses during this hot season.
Harvest sweet corn when the kernels are milky and firm, not yet hard or fully browned, for peak sweetness.
Buffalo gardening questions
3Can I plant transplants now in Buffalo?
No, wait until after April 21 for any tender starts like tomatoes or peppers; planting earlier risks killing them with a late frost. Focus your energy on harvesting your existing crops instead.
What should I do about my heavy clay soil?
Amend your garden beds generously with compost to improve drainage and aeration, as our native clay can become waterlogged during Buffalo's wet springs.
How long until I can start growing new vegetables this year?
Most cool-season crops like peas or spinach are done for the season; save your energy for next spring when the soil warms and frost dates pass in mid-April.
Other cities in zone 6b
12See the full zone 6b guide → · Plan your Buffalo garden in SproutGuide →