What to plant this week in Syracuse, NY
Syracuse gardeners are in the thick of summer harvest season, with an average last frost date of April 21 reminding us that late-season cool spells can still threaten tender crops like Basil and Tomato. While your outdoor beds are buzzing with Yellow Summer Squash and Zucchini, keep a close eye on the soil as Syracuse's clay-heavy terrain drains slowly during our typical summer thunderstorms.
The next 7 days
Syracuse, NYGrowing in Syracuse right now
- Amend your heavy local clay soils with compost before harvesting root crops like Parsnip and Rutabaga to prevent cracking in wet weather.
- Space out your Sweet Corn and Flour Corn plantings carefully, as late frost events can still occur after the average April 21 date, stunting early ears.
- Utilize your warm-season favorites now; varieties like Watermelon and Okra thrive in Syracuse's long summer but require consistent moisture despite our erratic rainfall patterns.
- Monitor your Potato and Garlic storage roots closely, ensuring they stay dry to avoid rot in our humid summer air.
Sow this week
7 crops- Bush Bean
- Cucumber
- French Marigold
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
58 crops- Anaheim (New Mexico) Pepper
- Banana Pepper
- Basil
- Beefsteak Tomato
- Beet
- Bell Pepper
- Borage
- Brussels Sprouts
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Carrot
- Cayenne Pepper
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Dahlia
- Edamame
- Eggplant
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Geranium (Zonal)
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Honeydew Melon
- Jalapeño
- Lantana
- Lima Bean
- Malabar Spinach
- Marconi Pepper
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine
- Parsley
- Parsnip
- Petunia
- Poblano Pepper
- Pole Bean
- Potato
- Roma Tomato
- Rutabaga
- Scallion (Bunching Onion)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Serrano Pepper
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Snapdragon
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Tomatillo
- Tomato
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow bush beans every two weeks for a continuous harvest throughout summer.
- Mulch around established tomato and pepper plants to retain moisture as soil temperatures rise.
- Prune dead or diseased foliage from Brassicas like Brussels Sprouts and Kale to improve air circulation.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for Squash Vine Borer attacking your Yellow Summer Squash and Zucchini, which is a common issue in Syracuse's damp summer conditions.
- Check Edamame and Lima Bean plants for aphid infestations that can quickly spread through the dense foliage near residential areas.
- Inspect Tomato leaves for early blight, as our cool, wet springs often linger into July, creating ideal conditions for fungal spread.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the morning to encourage strong root growth while minimizing fungal disease risk.
Pinch back the tips of young Bush Bean plants if they are leggy to encourage bushier, more productive growth.
Syracuse gardening questions
3Can I still plant Bush Beans or Pole Beans now in Syracuse?
Yes, you can sow seeds immediately since they are listed for current planting, but be aware that a sudden drop below 50°F could damage new seedlings. Ensure the soil has warmed up sufficiently to avoid shock.
What is the best way to store my harvested Beefsteak Tomatoes and Roma varieties?
Harvest these tomatoes when they are fully ripe but still firm, then place them in a single layer on a counter away from direct sunlight. Avoid refrigeration until you are ready to eat them, as cold storage ruins their flavor quickly.
How do I handle the harvest of my Garlic and Parsnips without damaging the bulbs?
Gently loosen the soil around these root crops with a fork before pulling to avoid breaking the necks or roots. Lay them out in a dry, shaded area like your porch to cure for two weeks before moving them into storage.
Other cities in zone 6a
12See the full zone 6a guide → · Plan your Syracuse garden in SproutGuide →