What to plant this week in Manchester, NH
With the average last frost for Manchester occurring around April 21, gardeners are currently in a transitional phase where early spring cool-season crops like garlic and parsnip are ready to be planted as we edge closer to full season warmth. This week marks a critical window to move heat-loving transplants like basil, zinnias, and okra into the soil while keeping an eye on emerging frost risks before they can harden off fully.
The next 7 days
Manchester, NHGrowing in Manchester right now
- Manchester's clay-heavy soils in many backyards benefit from mixing in compost now to improve drainage for the upcoming heavy spring rains typical of the region.
- Watch for late snow squalls or lingering cold snaps after early April; use row covers immediately if temperatures dip below 32°F on your newly transplanted warm-season crops.
- Take advantage of the short growing window by focusing on fast-maturing varieties like bush beans and zucchini to harvest before the October 17 average first frost date.
- Be mindful of compacted urban soil in city lots; loosen the top few inches gently around new plantings to encourage root expansion despite the heavy native earth.
Sow this week
No direct sowing windows open this week.
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
45 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Celery
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Dahlia
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia)
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Leek
- Lima Bean
- Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian)
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine
- Parsnip
- Pole Bean
- Potato
- 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
- Succession sow bush beans and sweet corn every two weeks for continuous harvests through summer.
- Pinch back the tips of basil and okra to encourage bushier growth rather than flowering too early.
- Add a thin layer of straw or shredded leaves around heavy feeders like pumpkins and squash to retain moisture.
Pest & disease watch
- Spring slugs and snails are active in Manchester's damp microclimates, particularly in low-lying areas near water features or dense shade.
- Watch for aphids colonizing the tender leaves of newly transplanted basil and sweet corn as temperatures stabilize above 50°F.
- Early fungal issues like powdery mildew can appear on cucumbers and squash if moisture lingers too long on foliage during cool, cloudy days.
Watering this week
Provide about 1 to 2 inches of water per week, applying it deeply in the morning to reduce evaporation and disease risk.
Harvest zucchini and summer squash early in the day when they are most tender and flavorful for your table.
Manchester gardening questions
3Can I plant tomatoes now in Manchester despite the April 21 frost date?
It is generally safer to wait until soil temperatures consistently reach at least 60°F before planting tomato transplants outdoors. While some hardy varieties might survive a brief late freeze, waiting a week or two after the average last frost ensures your plants won't suffer root shock.
When should I harvest my garlic and parsnips planted earlier in the season?
Garlic is typically ready to lift for storage when the lower leaves begin to yellow and fall over, which usually happens mid-to-late summer. Parsnips can be harvested anytime after a hard frost actually improves their sweetness, though you can pull them as soon as they reach your desired size in late summer if needed.
How do I protect my young zucchini or squash from the occasional late spring freeze?
Cover vulnerable seedlings with floating row covers or old sheets during any night forecasted below freezing, removing them in the morning to let sunlight through. If a hard freeze is predicted, consider moving pots of tender starts indoors temporarily until the danger passes.
Other cities in zone 6a
12See the full zone 6a guide → · Plan your Manchester garden in SproutGuide →