May
Garden Tips
The
weather has finally warmed up and now everyone is anxious to get their garden planted.
My cool-weather crops like cabbage, onions, and peas have survived the two
freezes and are looking much better. The potatoes are sprouting new
leaves as the previous one got bite by the late freeze.
If
you started any plants from seeds, they should be transplanted to the garden
this month. I have found that not all plants, however like to go into the
garden in early May. So at the beginning of the month (May 3-10) I
plant green beans. For a continuous production, I sow seeds every 14
days. I plant sweet corn (which sometimes I do a first planting in late
April). Since corn is wind-pollinated, it should be planted in
blocks of at least four rows rather than in long single rows. By planting
early, mid, and late-season varieties you can extend the harvest over several
weeks. If you can plant corn on the north side of the garden it will prevent it
from shading nearby crops. I plant my rows north and south.
You can always plant turnips, and a more beets, carrots, lettuce, and
radishes.
After
the middle of the month which is usually after Mother’s Day, I plant tomatoes,
cucumbers, squash, peppers, pumpkins, and limas. I save the
watermelon and muskmelon plants and sweet potatoes towards the end of the month
(Memorial Day).
Transplants
benefit from started fertilizer. Apply fertilizer in the water that
plants receive after planting. Sometimes I just work 10-10-10 into
the ground around the transplant and water well. Remember
plants will need about 1 inch of water per week.
Harvest
the first radishes, lettuce, and green onions. Keep picking the
rhubarb and asparagus so they will keep producing. When the
asparagus spears diminish in size, stop picking and let the plants grow.
Rhubarb will produce all summer if it has enough water and fertilizer, so I
give it 10-10-10 every month.
Black
Raspberries need to get their second feeding of plant food this month
also. They should start producing around July 4th.
Gardening has been such a big part of the family tradition that I thought I'd better get as much information written down from mom and dad as soon as possible to pass on.
