Quasi-phase-matching (QPM) of the harmonics of ultrashort pulses in the perforated aluminum, indium, and chromium plasma plumes produced by different techniques is analyzed. We extend our recent studies (2014 J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. 47 105401) to other plasma ablations and show the advantages of modulated plasma profiles for the harmonic generation. We demonstrate the 20 x growth of QPM-enhanced harmonics in the plasma produced on the perforated aluminum surface. The calculations of plasma concentrations at different delays and distances from ablating targets are presented. We show the tuning of maximally enhanced harmonics using variable excitation of metallic targets at the conditions of QPM, as well as demonstrate the use of a two-color pump of the four-jet indium plasma for enhancement of the harmonics, which were not present in the spectra obtained from the extended indium plasma.