May is here and after a quick wintertime and other spring , it is time to get summer veggie in the ground . We have noted in recent calendar month that the VA Cooperative Extension has alter the final spring icing dates to April 15 - 25.VA.Hardiness Zone Map / Pub . 426 - 331 .   If the conditions site I have checked are right , we have n’t had a frost since former March . The warming style seems undeniable . On the convinced side it means a longer growing season . On the flip side it can mean more serious pest problem . In any case , rent ’s finish up our early time of year planting .

Early planters may already be harvest home radish plant , peas and a variety of greens . unspoilt for you . Planting cool weather vegetables now requires expect at days to adulthood . No sense starting crops now that wo n’t tolerate the warmer weather of summertime . We are at or near the end of planting meter for beetroot , carrots , broccoli , cabbage , onion and many greens .

However now is the clip toplant summer vegetables . These let in beans , corn , cucumbers , eggplants , melons , squelch seraphic Solanum tuberosum and peppercorn and love apple transplanting .

For a detailedlist of recommended planting timesfor vegetables in Hardiness Zones 6 and 7 , check outExtension Publication 426 - 331 , Vegetable planting Guide and Recommended Planting Dates .

Other tips for May vegetable horticulture in our arena include :

Tomatotransplants are quick to be place in the garden when they have 5 - 7 leaves . When transplanting tomato plant , place 2/3 of the industrial plant below the soil surface . Pull leave off the bottom two - thirds of the plant and either labor the planting cakehole deep enough to stand the plant life up or lay the clandestine stem incision on its side . Tomatoes will tote up ascendant underground and work up a stronger root system if planted this way . Whenchoosing your tomato varietiesconsiderdeterminate typesthat ripen within a narrow time flow if you are a canner and want a individual harvest time . Indeterminate varietieswill provide a unfaltering supply of ripening yield until frost if well cared for .

Eggplantslike 80 to 90 level temperatures and batch of water . Best to water them thoroughly twice a week during juiceless periods .

Speaking of wet , edible bean , peas and other legumesthatfix soil nitrogenproduce fewer , small tubercle when water supply stressed . It is also important to keep them well - watered .

stretch your crop seasonby planting fresh corn and beans every two weeks through the ending of June . An option with Indian corn is to plant early , mid and late maturing mixture at the same fourth dimension .

Missing corn whisky kernels on your corn ears?This may be the result ofpoor pollination . honeyed edible corn is wind - cross-pollinate . Pollen from the clavus bloom has to attain every strand of silk on each growing spike to acquire fully- kernelled mature corn ears . Block planting in short rows(3 - 4 run-in or more ) will cross-pollinate more successfully than 1 or 2 long rows . For more information on growing sweet corn whisky , take a look atVirginia Cooperative Extension Publication 426 - 405

Keep your potatoes covered .   The skins of potatoes exposed to   sunlight will turn unripened . This green color comes from the pigment chlorophyl give rise as a answer to sunlight . “ Green Potatoes ” will often develop a bitter taste perception and may even become toxic . This can be prevented by covering the exposed white potato — by hilling - up dirt over the them , or covering them with straw mulch . For additional data on produce potatoes , seeVirginia Cooperative Extension Publication 426 - 413

To insure weedsin the garden , destroy them before they develop seeds . Refrain from cultivating and hoeing profoundly ; this can make harm to the shallow roots of your veg . Also , avoid using mulch or compost contaminated with seeds . For additional information on controlling dope in the place garden , seeVirginia Cooperative Extension Publication 426 - 364 .

Guidance on fertilizationis available atExtension Publication 426 - 323 , “ Fertilizing the Vegetable Garden . ” In a few Page it offers a prissy summary of plant nutriment requirements and fertilizing options . I like to utilise mainly organic amendments with a small app of man-made fertilizer at embed to provide a quick NPK shot to the plant while give soil life a opportunity to make the constitutional nutrients plant useable .

Whenwatermelons , muskmelons , squash and cucumbersare found in a hill , place a stickupright in the middle of the J. J. Hill and leave it there . afterward in the summer when the Alfred Hawthorne becomes hidden by the vines , you will know where to water . You ’ll not only save time looking for the main root , but you ’ll save piddle as well .

When transplanting seedling inpeat great deal , gently displume off the top inch of the mountain ; the upper edge of the slew should be covered with territory to avert wicking piss away from the soil surface . Wicking may reduce the amount of wet available to the roots of the plant .

If you are growing cole harvest including cabbage , broccoli , Brassica oleracea botrytis , kale , collards or other greens , May will likely bring a variety of cabbage worms that can wipe out your craw . option for control include hand - picking , using an organic pesticide like Bt ( Bacillus Thuringiensis ) , or row covers . I have also had destiny hangingdecoys of dinero mothsabove that area of the garden . The decoys appear to discourage territorial moths from laying their eggs in that positioning . For more information control out Garden Shed Articles“OMG What ’s Eating the Broccoli”and“Row Covers : a Gardening Season Extender with welfare ” . If you choose to try the non - chemical row cover technique , act quickly to get them in position before the cabbage moths arrive .

To preserve leftover seeds , store them in a certain container and refrigerate them , with a dessicant , such as a few level of newspaper towel with 2 tablespoons of powdered milk folded up inside them .

This is also a great time tostart a refreshing stack of compost . Grass clipping and kitchen scraps become available as we begin mowing lawns and eating seasonal fruits and vegetables . If you ’ve lay aside some foliage from last fall , you have what you need to create a beneficial compost batch that will be quick for use this fall . Refer to Garden Shed article“Backyard Composting with Practical Tips from the Pros”for more inside information on compost .

During this clip of societal distancing and quarantining , horticulture can be a comforting bodily process . In add-on , pick your own veg remedy the tension of managing likely contamination of purchased produce . near luck with the garden and abide safe . Thanks for checking in . See you next month .

Resources :

“ Vegetable Planting Guide and Recommended Planting Dates . ”   Va. Coop . Ext . Publication No . 426 - 331,http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426 - 331/426 - 331.html

“ veggie commend For Virginia,”Va . Coop . Ext . Publication No . 426 - 480,https://pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426 - 480/426 - 480.html

“ Sweet Corn , ” Va. Coop . Ext . Publication No . 426 - 405,http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426 - 405/426 - 405.html

“ Potatoes , Peppers and Eggplant , ” Va. Coop . Ext . Publication No . 426 - 413,http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426 - 413/426 - 413.html

“ Weeds in the Home Garden , ”   Va. Coop . Ext . , Publication No . 426 - 364,http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426 - 364/426 - 364.html

“ Tomatoes , ” Va. Coop . Ext . Publication No . 426 - 418,https://pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426 - 418/426 - 418.html

VA Cooperative prolongation : May Tips : Vegetableshttps://albemarle.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/albemarle_ext_vt_edu/files/hort-tip-sheets/5-14-veg.pdf

Photos :

covering photo:“Spring 2009”bysshreevesis license underCC BY 2.0

Radishes:“First radishes May 12 , 2015”bylivewombatis license underCC BY - NC - SA 2.0

Where should I water?“DSCN4028”byskrubtudseis licensed underCC BY - NC - SA 2.0