What to plant this week in Manchester, NH
Manchester gardeners, your last frost average is April 21, meaning the ground should be fully thawed and ready for aggressive spring planting this week. With minimum temps holding near -10°F in deep winter but warming up now, focus immediately on those warm-weather crops like Basil, Okra, and Sweet Corn that are listed to harvest or transplant soon.
The next 7 days
Manchester, NHGrowing in Manchester right now
- The clay-heavy soils common in the Manchester metropolitan area require consistent moisture; water deeply around transplants of Watermelon and Cantaloupe to prevent root shock.
- Take advantage of the current warm spell to install cold frames over young seedlings if an unexpected late chill threatens the Garlic or Malabar Spinach before they harden off.
- Soil in this region often lacks organic matter, so mix compost into beds for Bush Beans and Pole Beans to boost nitrogen uptake as vines begin rapid growth.
- Watch drainage carefully on hillside plots near the Connecticut River valley where heavy spring rains can wash away delicate seeds like Fennel and Cleome.
Sow this week
No direct sowing windows open this week.
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
41 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Celery
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Dahlia
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia)
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian)
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Pumpkin
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Sweet Potato
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow bush beans and sweet corn every two weeks for continuous harvests through summer.
- Pinch back the tops of zucchini and squash plants now to encourage more fruit development rather than just vines.
- Cut back dying foliage on basil and borage after heavy harvesting to promote a second, smaller flush of growth.
Pest & disease watch
- Aphids are already colonizing the tender new growth of Zinnias and Cosmos this week, requiring early intervention with water sprays or insecticidal soap.
- Spider mites thrive in the dry, windy spots around Manchester neighborhoods, posing a threat to the leafy Okra and Malabar Spinach before they mature.
- Watch for cutworms targeting young transplants of Cucumber and Tomato (if planted), as egg-laying moths are active with the rising temperatures.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the early morning to reduce evaporation while supporting heavy fruit production on melons and squash.
Pull any volunteer weeds immediately around your transplants like edamame and fennel before they compete for nutrients.
Manchester gardening questions
3Can I plant Basil directly into my garden now in Manchester?
Yes, since your average last frost is April 21, you can confidently transplant Basil, Thai Basil, and Garden Verbena today if soil temps are above 50°F. Start indoors earlier next week to get a head start on the harvest window.
What vegetables should I be harvesting soon in this zone?
With current conditions favorable for Zone 6a, check your Bush Beans, Zucchini, and Yellow Summer Squash daily as they are listed to harvest soon. These warm-season crops produce rapidly when daytime highs stabilize after the frost dates.
How do I handle the clay soil here for pumpkins and melons?
Elevate pumpkin and watermelon plants using raised beds or wide mounds of compost to improve drainage in Manchester's heavy clay, which prevents rot during wet spells. Ensure the root zone is loose so the vines can spread freely toward your intended harvest.
Other cities in zone 6a
12See the full zone 6a guide → · Plan your Manchester garden in SproutGuide →