May is here and we are preparing to plant summertime vegetables . Eager planters enroll the drawing of predicting the last frost . Here in hardiness geographical zone 7a , averagelast frost date is April 15 - 25 . “ Average ” is the running Holy Writ . In 2020 , after a fond winter and outpouring we had a couple of surprisal frosts in the second week of May , take us to scurry around and cover former tomato plant transplants . Watching the foresightful - term forecast and having some row embrace ready is advisable for former planters .

Soil temperature is as critical for reliable seed sprouting and transplant health . Cool - weather crops like spinach , loot , greens , peas , onions , and steady down crops need stain temperature in the 35 - 40 degree reach . Actually , 80 degrees is the optimum temperature for sprouting but these crops do n’t rise well in the heat energy , so we compromise . pop out seeds indoors and transplanting all except origin veg ( which do n’t transplantation well ) is the most efficient drill .

Warm - weather crop include tomatoes , corn , and beans require at least 55 ° soil . common pepper , cucumbers , melons , and sweet-smelling Irish potato need at least 60 ° and eggplants involve at least 70 ° . plant too former risks seed rotting prior to germination .

you’re able to try out soil with a soil thermometer , available at garden shops . Poke the thermometer about 2½ in into the soil . Since stain temperature will vary throughout the day , a honest average is come up between 10 and 11 am . It ’s good to check the coming weather to be sure there is n’t a cold press stud on the view .

Early planters may already be harvest radish , pea , and a variety of greens . Good for you ! Planting coolheaded - weather condition vegetables now requires looking at days to maturity . There ’s no sense starting crops now that wo n’t bear summer heat . We are at or near the end of planting time for beets , carrot , broccoli , cabbage , onions , and many greens .

For a detailedlist of recommended planting timesfor veggie in Hardiness Zones 6a through 8a , check out   theVirginia ’s Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide .

If you have a ripe asparagus patch , you are probable harvesting fresh spears now . If want to get going to raise edible asparagus , it ’s too recent to plant this twelvemonth . To be sure you get it decently next yr , make note of the unspoiled advice inGrowing Asparagus in Home Gardensfrom the University of Minnesota Extension . Keep in mind that the Virginia Piedmont is about 2 - 3 hebdomad ahead of Minnesota for planting and harvesting , but the rest of the advice is right on .

Other tips for May vegetable horticulture in our surface area :

Tomatotransplants are quick to be placed in the garden when they have 5 - 7 leaves . When transplantation tomatoes , place 2⁄3 of the plant below the soil surface . Pull leave off the bottom 2⁄3 of the plant and either dig the planting cakehole deep enough to support the plant up or lay the underground base section on its side as the illustration show :

tomato will contribute tooth root underground and build a stronger ascendent organisation if planted this way .

Whenchoosing your tomato plant varietiesconsiderdeterminate typesthat mature within a narrow time period if you are a canner and want a individual harvest . Indeterminate varietieswill furnish a regular supply of mature fruits until Robert Frost , if well care for .

Eggplantslike 80 ° to 90 ° temperature and plenty of water . irrigate them thoroughly twice a week during dry periods .

Speaking of moisture , bonce , peas , and other legumesthatfix soil nitrogenproduce fewer , smaller root nodules when water stress . It is authoritative to keep them well - watered .

Extend your harvest seasonby planting sweet corn and bean every two workweek through the end of June . An alternative with corn is to plant early- , mid- , and late - suppurate diversity at the same time .

miss corn whiskey kernels on your maize ears?This may be the consequence ofpoor pollenation . Sweet maize is air current - pollinated . Pollen from the corn flower at the top of the angry walk has to reach every chain of silk on each grow auricle to break amply - kernelled mature corn ears . Block planting in short rows(3 - 4 row or more ) will pollinate more successfully than 1 or 2 tenacious run-in . recover more information on VCE publicationSweet Corn .

Keep Solanum tuberosum plow . The skins of potatoes exposed to sunlight will turn green . This green color get along from the pigment chlorophyll which is produced as a reply to sunlight . “ Green Potatoes ” often make grow a acrid taste sensation and may even become toxic . This can be prevented by covering the expose potatoes by hilling - up dirt over them or cover them with drinking straw mulch . For additional selective information on growing tater , learn thisVCE TV .

To control weedsin the garden , destroy them before they develop seed . Avoid cultivate and hoeing deeply ; this can cause damage to shallow rooted vegetable . Also , void using mulch or compost that is contaminated with seeds .

Fertilizationis an of import constituent in maximize garden production . There are problems with over- and under - fertilizing , different impacts from synthetic and natural fertilizers , and stain wellness result to consider . If you would benefit from more insight into fertilizer use , check out theGarden Shedarticle“A Fertilization Primer ” .

Whenwatermelons , sweet melon , squash , and cucumbersare plant in a hill , place a stickupright in the middle of the Benny Hill and leave it there . by and by in the summer when the hill becomes hidden by the vine , you will have intercourse where to irrigate . You ’ll save time look for the main root , and save water as well .

When transplant seedlings inpeat pots , tear off the top inch of the pot ; the upper edges of the can should be cover with   soil to avoid wicking water system aside from the stain Earth’s surface , potentially cut moisture uncommitted to implant roots .

If you are growing Cole crops , let in clams , Brassica oleracea italica , Brassica oleracea botrytis , kale , collard greens , or other super C , May will likely take a variety of cabbage worms that can eliminate your crop . option for control include bridge player - picking , using an constituent pesticide like Bt ( B thuringiensis ) , or row covers . I have also had luck hangingdecoys of cabbage mothsabove that area of the garden . The decoys appear to deter territorial moths from lay their eggs in that fix . For more information check outGarden Shedarticles“OMG What ’s Eating the Broccoli”and“Row Covers : a Gardening Season Extender with Benefits ” . If you pick out to try the non - chemic quarrel cover technique , act as quickly to get them in space before the cabbage moth arrive .

To preserve left seeds , store them in a sealed container and refrigerate them . To absorb moisture , site a desiccant in the container —   such as a few layers of paper towels filled with 2 tablespoon of powdery milk and folded up .

This is also a cracking time tostart a fresh sight of compost . The warm temperature will hurry up decomposition if you keep the pile moist and aerated . Grass snip and kitchen scrap become usable as we begin mowing lawns and eating seasonal fruits and vegetable . If you ’ve saved some leaves from last fall , you have what you postulate to create a good compost batch that will be quick for use this fall . VCE publicationBackyard Compostingoffers helpful guidance for several composting approach .

If you are a fruit cultivator and want to add native planting to the orchard , give papaya a endeavour . There is good advice for grow and eat on pawpaws in theGarden Shedarticles“Pawpaws : Resilient and Delectable Natives”and“Yummy Recipes With Pawpaws . ” .   Go native !

Garden time of year is in full swing now . Get out there and delight it ! And let ’s talk some more 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

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

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

Featured photo : strawberry in Bloom . Photo : radius Morini