Planting Guide For Most Gardens

 Many of us that plant gardens know that there is a perfect time or highly recommended time to plant certain plants. Most of the information is based on the cycle of the moon, as many older farmers and Native American's used the moon as their guide to doing many aspects of their lives. 

As May approaches, many farmers will work endless hours to prepare the fields and get their plants into the ground. A good farmer is well aware of the schedule that they must keep in order for the harvest to be successful and earn them the best money that they can. Many weather aspects worry farmers in the spring, but they are fully aware that the risks are there. Being aware of when the seeds need to be planted and being aware of how spring might be where they live are all good information that they will tell you they need. 

May is a good month for many small gardeners to begin to ramp up their spring planting or do all of it. Many vegetables can do well when planted in May and many need to be planted this month in order to have a nice fall harvest. I like to pull the chart I have out and look at it occasionally as we are planning our garden, in order to have the most successful harvest that I can. For years, farmers around us have given us information and key tips as what is best for what time of the year. 

Much of what is planted in May needs soil temperatures to be warm and near 70 degrees, so planting before May would not work in the Midwest where I am as our temperatures waver too much before May. It is currently like 48 degrees, and it is mid-morning. Knowing soil temperatures is an important step in planting a garden with certain plants, such as corn and sweet potatoes. 

Both of those vegetables need warm soil to thrive. Warm soil is needed to increase photosynthesis and other chemical reactions in order to aid plants in growing quicker. Sweet potatoes need to be planted in 70-degree soil, corn needs warm soil. Seedlings such as eggplant, tomatoes, and peppers can be transplanted when the soil is a bit cooler, but I prefer to wait until the soil is closer to 70, as I feel then we are out of the danger of any frost possibly hitting. This is absolutely the last chance you have to plant cool weather crops as well. 

Brussell sprouts should be planted this month in order to have a late summer or fall harvest. These take 80- 100 days to harvest and so they need a very long grow season. Brussel sprouts should be planted where they will get full sun as they really like the heat even though they are cool weather plants. Does that make sense? Not really! Green beans, okra, and squash are also vegetables that should be planted in May, but they will not take nearly as long to grow. Bush beans can be planted a bit earlier, but you want to avoid frost.