What to plant this week in Newark, NJ
With temperatures hovering near the 5°F minimum threshold typical for Newark's late spring, focus this week on protecting your early crops while seeds like Yellow Summer Squash and Zucchini are ready to go into the warm soil. The average last frost date of March 28 means you can finally commit to those heat-loving harvests that appear soon, such as bush beans, cucumbers, and melons.
The next 7 days
Newark, NJGrowing in Newark right now
- Newark's urban heat island effect often allows for slightly earlier planting than surrounding rural areas, but watch for sudden cold snaps near the Hackensack River valley.
- The city's compacted clay-heavy soils benefit from a deep chop-and-drop cover crop before adding compost to improve drainage for heavy water users like pumpkins and melons.
- Expect erratic rainfall typical of the Jersey Shore microclimate; ensure young squash plants receive consistent moisture by mulching heavily to prevent soil crusting.
- Avoid planting garlic now as it is listed for harvest soon, indicating bulbs have already matured in local garden beds.
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 newly planted Zucchini and Yellow Summer Squash before the vines fully cover the ground.
- Monitor for aphid colonies forming on the tender leaves of growing Corn and Bean varieties during these warm spells.
- Check seedlings for fungal leaf spots, as Newark's humid pockets near the Passaic River can encourage rapid disease spread.
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.
Newark gardening questions
3Can I plant my Zucchini seeds directly in the ground this week?
Yes, with average lows at 5°F and soil warming up after the March 28 frost date, Yellow Summer Squash and Zucchini are specifically listed as sowable now. Just make sure to wait for a few sunny days above 60°F before sticking seeds in.
What should I do about my Basil that is ready for harvest soon?
Since your local garden beds show signs of mature growth, use kitchen shears to snip the outer stems rather than pulling up the whole plant. This encourages bushier regrowth and gives you fresh basil before the first frost hits mid-November.
Is it safe to put my Watermelon seeds in the soil right now?
Watermelon is on your harvest soon list, which implies seedlings may already be established or late-stage in many Newark gardens. If starting from scratch, wait until soil temperatures consistently stay above 65°F rather than risking a cold start.
Other cities in zone 7b
12See the full zone 7b guide → · Plan your Newark garden in SproutGuide →