What to plant this week in Santa Fe, NM
In Santa Fe, this week marks the final push for your garlic crop before winter dormancy sets in with lows reaching -5°F. While the city's famous monsoon season is still weeks away, be mindful that early spring frosts can linger around April 21st if you are tempted to rush out tender transplants.
The next 7 days
Santa Fe, NMGrowing in Santa Fe right now
- Garlic planted this week will form bulbs under Santa Fe's high-altitude conditions, so ensure cloves are firm and not shriveled before the ground cools further.
- The city's clay-loam soil retains moisture well but drains slowly; water garlic deeply now to build reserves against the coming freeze, then reduce watering as temperatures drop.
- Avoid transplanting any warm-season starts yet; the risk of frost remains high until late April, making it unsafe for tomatoes or peppers this week.
- Take advantage of the mild days to weed around your established beds before the typical afternoon thunderstorms return in June.
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 aphids clustering on garlic leaves as they prepare for winter dormancy; a strong water spray often suffices given the dry Santa Fe climate.
- Monitor for cutworms near soil lines if you plan to sow any seeds next week, though current activity is low until soils warm up.
- Check for powdery mildew on late-sown greens in sheltered microclimates where humidity builds under canyon walls.
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.
Santa Fe gardening questions
3Can I plant garlic now in Santa Fe?
Yes, this is the optimal time to sow garlic cloves here. They need several weeks of cool soil temperatures to establish roots before the ground freezes solid in late autumn or early winter.
When will it be safe to put out my tomato starts after last frost?
With an average last frost date around April 21st, wait until mid-May to transplant tomatoes. The high elevation means nights stay cool longer than at lower elevations, so hardened-off seedlings are essential.
What should I do with my daikon radish harvest now?
Your Daikon Radishes are ready for harvest soon as temperatures moderate; pull them gently to avoid breakage. Store them in the refrigerator wrapped in damp paper towels to extend their crispness through the winter months.
Other cities in zone 6b
12See the full zone 6b guide → · Plan your Santa Fe garden in SproutGuide →