What to plant this week in Pittsburgh, PA
Pittsburgh gardeners in Zone 7a have a narrow window this week as the soil nears its minimum temperature of 0°F, making it the ideal time to force garlic cloves into cool beds before any late spring chill. While you can't yet transplant warm-weather crops after our typical April 3rd last frost date, focusing on your garlic harvest and daikon radish will yield quick returns for this chilly season.
The next 7 days
Pittsburgh, PAGrowing in Pittsburgh right now
- Protect emerging garlic plants from our notorious 'Pittsburgh Freeze' by covering beds with straw or row covers if temps dip toward the zone minimum of 0°F.
- Our glacial till soil drains quickly in heavy rain, so check drainage before harvesting daikon radish to avoid rot in our typical spring downpours.
- Wait until after the average last frost date of April 3rd to attempt any early transplants, as our valley pockets often hold cold air longer than higher elevations.
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
- Watch for onion maggot larvae tunneling into your garlic crowns as temperatures stabilize above freezing.
- Monitor for powdery mildew on alliums if the damp spring humidity persists in our urban heat island effect.
- Check daikon radish roots for flea beetles, which thrive when our soil finally warms up enough to support their activity.
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!
Pittsburgh gardening questions
3When should I move my garlic harvest indoors for winter storage?
Harvest your garlic and daikon radish soon as the tops of the garlic bulbs begin to yellow and fall over naturally in late spring. Cure the bulbs in a dry, airy spot out of direct sun for two weeks before storing them in mesh bags.
Can I plant cool-season crops now despite the cold snaps?
You can only sow garlic directly into the ground right now; all other transplants must wait until after our average last frost date of April 3rd. Attempting to move anything else earlier risks killing tender roots in our deep freeze pockets.
How does our local clay-loam soil affect my radish harvest?
Pittsburgh's heavy loam can hold moisture too long, potentially causing daikon radishes to split or rot if waterlogged. Ensure your planting beds have raised rows or amended organic matter to improve drainage before digging for a clean crop.
Other cities in zone 7a
12See the full zone 7a guide → · Plan your Pittsburgh garden in SproutGuide →