What to plant this week in Jersey City, NJ
Jersey City gardeners are in a lush, humid transition zone right now where summer heat is fully underway and the first frost isn't until mid-November. While your late spring freezes are long gone, keep an eye on heavy afternoon thunderstorms common to the Hudson Valley that can splash soil onto leaves and invite fungal issues.
The next 7 days
Jersey City, NJGrowing in Jersey City right now
- Jersey City's dense urban environment creates 'heat island' effects, so water newly sown Bush Beans or Zucchini early morning before midday sun intensifies. Our clay-heavy soils drain slowly during our typical June-July rain bursts; use raised beds or amend heavily with compost to prevent root rot on Squash and Corn.
- Take advantage of the long growing season by planting frost-hardy Garlic now for next fall's harvest, as ground temps are perfect before the true winter chill hits in December.
- Avoid overwatering your Harvest-ready Melons and Watermelons; deep watering once a week is better than daily shallow soaking which promotes root rot in our humid summers.
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 closely for Squash Vine Borers on your Zucchini and Summer Squash, as egg-laying females are active now and larvae burrow into stems causing sudden plant collapse.
- Spider Mites often explode in Jersey City's dry, windy rooftop gardens during July heatwaves; mist plants frequently to knock them off rather than waiting for chemical intervention.
- Aphids will target the new growth on your French Marigolds and Cleome; a strong blast of water from a hose usually dislodges them effectively.
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.
Jersey City gardening questions
3Can I still transplant warm-weather crops like Zucchini or Bush Beans into my Jersey City garden now?
No, do not transplant seedlings this week as the roots may suffer shock in our humid soil; instead, start these varieties directly from seeds right where they will grow. They germinate best when soil temperatures are consistently above 60°F.
When should I plant my Garlic bulbs for a Jersey City harvest?
This is actually your ideal window to plant hardy Garlic varieties like Rocambole or Purple Stripe before the ground freezes solid in December.
How do I protect my sweet corn and beans from Jersey City's sudden summer thunderstorms?
Build simple temporary trellises or cages for Pole Beans before a storm hits so plants don't flop over in the wind.
Other cities in zone 7b
12See the full zone 7b guide → · Plan your Jersey City garden in SproutGuide →