What to plant this week in Albuquerque, NM
With the last frost officially passing for Albuquerque on March 28, your soil is finally warming up enough to pop seeds like Bush Beans and Zucchini directly into the ground this week. The high-desert air is dry and clear, making it an ideal window to start those heat-loving crops that will thrive under our intense summer sun.
The next 7 days
Albuquerque, NMGrowing in Albuquerque right now
- Plant seeds for beans, squash, and zucchini deep enough (1-2 inches) since our fast-burning desert soil dries out quickly after rain or watering.
- Mulch heavily around established harvests like corn and melons to lock in moisture against the typical April dry spells common in Bernalillo County.
- Remember that our high altitude slows germination for some crops, so keep seeds moist for an extra day or two after planting before you see them emerge.
- Avoid heavy compost amendments right now; instead, focus on water management as we transition from winter dormancy to rapid spring growth.
Sow this week
4 crops- Bush Bean
- French Marigold
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
37 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Pumpkin
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Sweet Potato
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Start succession sowing with Pole Beans or Peas every two weeks for a continuous supply of fresh pods.
- Pinch back the tops of Basil to encourage bushier growth before the heat sets in.
- Apply a light layer of compost around harvested crops to replenish soil nutrients.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for aphids clustering on the undersides of new Bean and Squash leaves as temperatures climb above 60°F.
- Keep an eye out for cutworms damaging young Tomato or pepper seedlings if you are starting any indoors that weren't listed for direct sowing this week.
- Monitor for powdery mildew on Zinnias and Sunflowers, which can spread quickly in our dusty, humid-microclimate conditions during sudden rain showers.
Watering this week
Provide about 1 to 2 inches of water per week, ensuring deep watering during hot afternoons.
Harvest Basil in the morning when essential oils are most concentrated for peak flavor.
Albuquerque gardening questions
3Can I transplant my Garlic now since the frost date has passed?
No, Garlic needs to be planted while the soil is still relatively cool; the current warm weather means it is too late for this week's planting schedule. Focus instead on sowing your cold-hardy winter crops that are listed as 'sow now'.
How deep should I plant my Zucchini and Summer Squash seeds?
In our fast-draining Albuquerque soil, sow these large seeds about 1 to 2 inches deep to ensure they stay moist long enough to germinate. Cover the rows lightly with a row cover to hold in that precious moisture while they sprout.
Are my Cantaloupe and Watermelon ready for harvest soon?
Yes, these melons should be checked frequently as they approach ripeness; look for a strong scent at the stem end and a dull rind color. Do not leave them on the vine too long in our dry heat or they may shrivel and lose sugar content.
Other cities in zone 7b
12See the full zone 7b guide → · Plan your Albuquerque garden in SproutGuide →