What to plant this week in Allentown, PA
With the last frost finally behind us on average by April 3, Allentown gardeners are ready to move into full action this week. The cool spring air is perfect for hardening off those heat-loving crops that thrive in our Zone 7a climate after a late March thaw.
The next 7 days
Allentown, PAGrowing in Allentown right now
- Our Valley region often traps cold air overnight; check morning temperatures before transplanting sensitive items like basil and edamame to ensure they stay above freezing.
- The heavy clay-loam soil common near the Lehigh River can become waterlogged during our spring rains, so amend your beds with compost for drainage before planting squash or pumpkins.
- Expect a gradual warming trend through late April; use row covers on young garlic and beans if a sudden drop below 40°F threatens the emerging crops.
Sow this week
No direct sowing windows open this week.
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
- Thin out overcrowded seedlings to give remaining plants room for air circulation and sun.
- Apply a light layer of straw mulch around warm-weather crops to retain soil moisture during heat waves.
- Practice succession sowing with fast-maturing beans or radishes every two weeks to extend your harvest window.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch closely for early-season aphids on new bean sprouts, as our damp spring mornings provide ideal breeding grounds before natural predators arrive.
- Slugs and snails remain active in shaded areas of the Lehigh Valley during this cool spell; check your zinnias and cosmos daily to prevent them from devouring seedlings.
Watering this week
Water deeply at the base of plants in the early morning to reduce evaporation and prevent fungal diseases on wet foliage.
Harvest basil leaves regularly by pinching off stems just above a leaf pair to encourage bushier growth rather than flowering.
Allentown gardening questions
3Can I plant my summer squash now that the frost date has passed?
Yes, yellow and winter squash love this week's warming soil in Allentown. Transplant them into a sunny spot with at least 6 inches of loose, well-drained soil to maximize your yield before the first fall frost on November 6.
Should I start my sweet potatoes indoors or plant seedlings outside now?
It is best to wait until next month for sweet potatoes as they are heat-sensitive; however, you can sow garlic cloves outdoors immediately while the soil is workable. Garlic loves our cool Zone 7a winters and will establish well this week before dormancy sets in.
Which of these harvest-ready crops need extra water during dry spells?
Cantaloupe, honeydew, and watermelon require consistent moisture to produce sweet fruit, especially given Allentown's variable rainfall patterns. Mulch heavily around the base of your cucumbers and melons to retain soil moisture as temperatures rise.
Other cities in zone 7a
12See the full zone 7a guide → · Plan your Allentown garden in SproutGuide →