What to plant this week in Jersey City, NJ
Jersey City gardeners in Zone 7b are right on the cusp of early summer, with average last frost dates around March 28 meaning soil is finally warming enough for warm-season staples. This week marks the prime window to sow heat-loving crops like Yellow Summer Squash and Zucchini directly into your beds while keeping a close eye on your maturing beans and melons heading toward harvest.
The next 7 days
Jersey City, NJGrowing in Jersey City right now
- Utilize Jersey City's flat, urban terrain by installing raised beds or containers with high-quality potting mix if your native soil is compacted clay common in Hudson County.
- Avoid overwatering during this period; the city's humid microclimate combined with summer storms can lead to rapid root rot in squash and melons.
- Take advantage of the coastal location by planting windbreaks or sturdy trellises for Pole Beans and Okra, as prevailing breezes from New York Harbor can stress young stems.
- Incorporate organic matter like composted leaves into garden beds this week to improve drainage and nutrient retention before the peak heat arrives.
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
- Watch closely for Squash Vine Borers attacking your Zucchini and Summer Squash, which thrive in our humid conditions and can kill plants quickly.
- Aphids often explode in populations on newly planted beans (Bush Bean, Lima Bean) and cucumbers when humidity rises; inspect undersides of leaves daily.
- Monitor for Japanese Beetles beginning to appear on Fennel and Sunflowers this week, as they are attracted to the blooming flowers typical of Hudson County gardens.
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.
Jersey City gardening questions
3Can I plant my Zucchini seeds now in Jersey City?
Yes, with average last frost dates around March 28, your soil is warm enough this week to sow Yellow Summer Squash and Zucchini directly. Wait until the threat of a hard freeze passes completely before planting these heat-loving crops to ensure strong germination.
My Bush Beans and Pole Beans look stressed; what might be wrong?
Jersey City's humidity often invites aphids or squash vine borers which can quickly damage bean plants. Check the undersides of leaves for small insects and inspect stems for bore holes, then treat with insecticidal soap if infestations are light.
When should I start harvesting my Cantaloupe and Watermelon?
Keep an eye on your fruit this week as they are listed to harvest soon, looking for full size and a dull yellow or cream background color. Do not pick until the tendrils near the stem have dried up completely, which usually happens within days of reaching maturity.
Other cities in zone 7b
12See the full zone 7b guide → · Plan your Jersey City garden in SproutGuide →