What to plant this week in Newark, NJ
Newark gardeners are in the final sprint to plant garlic before our typical March 28 last frost locks the ground, while early Daikon radishes and established garlic cloves begin their harvest window this week.
The next 7 days
Newark, NJGrowing in Newark right now
- Our flat Newark terrain creates cold air pockets that can freeze tender transplants overnight even after mid-March; keep everything mulched heavily until the soil warms past 40°F.
- The city's high clay content holds moisture well but drains poorly during our spring rain spikes, so ensure garlic beds have raised rows or deep tillage to prevent waterlogging.
- Since we lack a traditional growing season for early transplants this year, focus energy on the immediate harvest of Daikon radishes before the late frost cycle in mid-November hits hard.
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
- Finish harvesting cool-season crops like Daikon radish before temperatures drop too low.
- Plant cover crops or winter rye now to protect soil structure during the dormant season.
- Apply a thick layer of mulch around garlic plants to insulate bulbs from freezing ground.
Pest & disease watch
- Spring slugs and snails thrive in our damp Newark clay soils; hand-pick them at dusk or use iron phosphate bait to protect emerging garlic shoots.
- Cabbage loopers often appear on early radish crops, so scout leaf undersides daily and apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) if you see webbing or holes.
Watering this week
Water garlic lightly and only when the soil is dry, avoiding wetting the bulbs directly to prevent rot.
Store your freshly harvested Daikon radishes in a cool, humid place like a crisper drawer or sand-filled bin.
Newark gardening questions
3Can I still start tomato seeds indoors this week in Newark?
Yes, but keep them under grow lights until mid-April; our average last frost is March 28, and cold snaps can damage young seedlings before they are hardy enough to go out.
When should I stop harvesting Daikon radishes?
You should lift these now while the tops are still green and crunchy, as a late frost will make them tough or cause them to rot in the ground by mid-November.
Is it safe to plant garlic bulbs outside today?
Absolutely; this is peak planting time for Newark Zone 7b, provided you wait until the soil thaws slightly and cover the bed with heavy mulch to insulate against our occasional dips toward 5°F.
Other cities in zone 7b
12See the full zone 7b guide → · Plan your Newark garden in SproutGuide →