Ten Things You Should be Planting in Your New Jersey Zone 7A Garden Right Now

Planting Guide for Late May in New Jersey Garden (Zone 7)

Late May is an ideal time to get into the garden in New Jersey’s Zone 7, as the risk of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up, perfect for sowing a variety of seeds and planting seedlings. Here’s a list of vegetables, herbs, and flowers that thrive when planted during this time:

Vegetables

1. Tomatoes – It’s the perfect time to plant tomato seedlings, ensuring a bountiful summer harvest.
2. Peppers – Both sweet and hot varieties do well when planted now.
3. Cucumbers – Direct sow cucumber seeds or plant seedlings for fresh cucumbers in the coming months.
4. Squash – Summer squash can be started now; consider varieties like zucchini and yellow squash.
5. Beans – Direct sow beans now; both bush and pole types are suitable.
6. Eggplants – Plant eggplant seedlings to take advantage of the upcoming warm months.
7. Sweet Corn – If you have the space, planting corn can be rewarding and makes a great summer treat.

Herbs

1. Basil – Ideal for planting now, basil loves the warmth that late spring brings.
2. Parsley – This hardy herb can be sown directly or planted as seedlings.
3. Dill – Direct sow dill now for a quick-growing herb that pairs wonderfully with summer dishes.

Bonus: Flowers

1. Marigolds – Easy to grow from seed and beneficial for deterring garden pests.
2. Sunflowers – Direct sow for a dramatic and cheerful addition to your garden.
3. Zinnias – Plant from seed for colorful blooms that last all summer.
4. Cosmos – These can be sown directly into the garden now for continuous blooms.

Tips for Success

• Soil Preparation: Ensure your garden beds are well-prepared with compost and well-rotted manure to give plants the best start.
• Watering: Newly planted seeds and seedlings will need regular watering, especially as the weather warms.
• Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around new plantings to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
• Spacing: Pay attention to spacing recommendations on seed packets or plant tags to avoid overcrowding.

Planting now will set your garden up for a vibrant and productive season. Enjoy the planting process and look forward to a lush, bountiful garden!

• New Jersey Wants to Boost Booze Made From Jersey Fresh, Home Grown Agricultural Ingredients
  TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey lawmakers are advancing legislation that would officially expand the state’s well-known “Jersey Fresh” marketing program to include beer, wine, cider, and liquor produced from New Jersey-grown agricultural products. Assembly Bill 2762, approved by the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee with amendments earlier this month, would direct the New Jersey
• Warm Days, Cold Nights: New Jersey Gardeners Urged to Wait Before Planting Summer Crops
  Toms River, NJ – An early taste of summer warmth is arriving this week, with temperatures climbing into the mid-80s, but gardeners across New Jersey’s Zone 7 are being warned not to rush planting frost-sensitive vegetables just yet. Despite the sunny stretch, overnight lows are forecast to dip into the low 40s by Thursday night—cold
• Newark is Not the Only Place to See New Jersey’s Annual Cherry Blossom Bloom, But it is the Best in the State
  From Newark to South Jersey, thousands of cherry trees are transforming parks and streets into spring showcases. Newark, NJ – Cherry blossom season is underway across New Jersey, and while Branch Brook Park remains the crown jewel, residents don’t have to travel to Newark to experience one of the state’s most striking seasonal displays. New
• Virginia homeowners brace for higher costs as Democrats push new tax on home repairs and upkeep
  RICHMOND, VA – A sweeping new tax proposal introduced by Virginia Democrats could soon make it more expensive to maintain, clean, and repair homes across the Commonwealth. House Bill 900, filed earlier this month by Delegate Sullivan (D–Arlington), seeks to expand Virginia’s sales and use tax to a wide range of residential services — including
• CBP finds invasive farm destroying khapra beetle remains at Detroit airport
  Romulus, MI – U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists intercepted remains of the khapra beetle, one of the world’s most destructive grain pests, during an inspection at Detroit Metropolitan Airport last spring. Officials said the discovery occurred on April 18, when a traveler returning from Lebanon was referred for secondary inspection. During the examination,