What to plant this week in Lexington, KY
With average last frost still looming until April 3, Lexington gardeners are in early winter mode as the 0°F minimum temperatures begin to set roots for next year's harvest. This week marks the official deadline to plant garlic cloves, leveraging our Zone 7a chill hours before the ground freezes solid.
The next 7 days
Lexington, KYGrowing in Lexington right now
- Plant hardneck garlic varieties like 'Music' or 'Silver White' immediately in well-drained soil; do not wait for a warmer spell as late frosts are common in April.
- Apply a thick layer of straw mulch over wintering crops to protect against our sharp nighttime temperature drops while allowing spring moisture penetration.
- Inspect ornamental bulbs and perennials for rodent damage, as voles become active under Lexington's heavy leaf litter in the cooler months.
- Avoid disturbing soil around established beds now; wait until after mid-April thaw when the ground is workable to prevent compaction.
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
- Monitor for winter moth egg masses on tree bark and early spring foliage once temperatures consistently rise above 45°F.
- Check stored garlic bulbs in cellars for mold or shriveling caused by high humidity levels typical of our Kentucky winters.
- Watch for vole activity in garden beds if snow cover is thin, as they thrive in the dense understory of our deciduous forests.
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!
Lexington gardening questions
3When is the best time to harvest my garlic this year?
In Lexington, expect to pull your garlic harvest between mid-June and early July when the lower leaves begin to yellow and fall over naturally. Do not wait for all foliage to brown, or you will lose bulb size.
Can I transplant any vegetables right now in Zone 7a?
No, current conditions are too cold with a potential frost date of April 3 remaining; focus entirely on sowing garlic and preparing beds for spring transplants.
What do I do if my Daikon radishes are ready soon?
Harvest your Daikon radish now while they are young and crisp, as leaving them too long can make the roots woody in our local soil.
Other cities in zone 7a
12See the full zone 7a guide → · Plan your Lexington garden in SproutGuide →