What to plant this week in Rochester, NY
Rochester gardeners, your calendar is turning: with an average last frost around April 21 and first frost near October 24, this week marks the critical window to plant hardy garlic before winter sets in. As the air cools toward that -5°F minimum, focus on getting these cloves into the ground now while waiting for spring transplants.
The next 7 days
Rochester, NYGrowing in Rochester right now
- Rochester's heavy clay soil tends to stay cold longer; amend planting beds with compost and work in sand to ensure garlic roots don't rot before winter.
- The city's frequent lake-effect snows can smother young plants, so consider mulching heavily around established perennials once the ground freezes.
- With erratic spring thaws common here, keep seeds indoors or under row covers until the frost danger date of April 21 passes completely.
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 hardy garlic cloves immediately in well-drained soil with tips pointing upward.
- Prepare garden beds by loosening compacted soil to encourage healthy root development for next year's crops.
- Apply a layer of compost around existing perennials to protect emerging plants from late frosts.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for onion maggots feeding on your new garlic cloves; use floating row covers immediately after planting to protect from emerging flies.
- Fungal diseases like downy mildew thrive in Rochester's humid fall air, so space plants widely and avoid overhead watering as temperatures drop.
Watering this week
Water garlic cloves lightly after planting, then wait until the soil is moist but not soggy before watering again.
Since Daikon radish will be ready soon, mark those spots now so you can plant a quick succession crop like lettuce once they are harvested.
Rochester gardening questions
3Is it too late to sow garlic in Rochester right now?
No, this is the ideal week to plant garlic for a summer harvest; get cloves in the ground immediately while soil moisture is still adequate before hard freezes hit.
Can I transplant tomatoes or peppers this week in Zone 6b?
Not yet; wait until after the average last frost date of April 21 and ensure night temperatures stay consistently above 50°F to avoid shock on these tender crops.
What do I do with my Daikon radishes that are ready to harvest soon?
Pull your daikon radishes now before any hard freeze, as dropping temperatures below 28°F can crack the roots and ruin the crunch in Rochester's variable fall weather.
Other cities in zone 6b
12See the full zone 6b guide → · Plan your Rochester garden in SproutGuide →