When it’s warm outside and the threat of frost has passed, it’s finally time to plant out crops like tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and herbs. These plants do not appreciate cold weather, and could be stunted or killed by a late frost. Be patient! We recommend waiting until Mother’s Day.
If you haven’t amended garden beds yet, work fertilizer, compost, and other amendments into the soil. Weeds compete for water and nutrients, so give the garden a thorough weeding before planting!
In the planning phase, remember to give your veggies plenty of room to grow. One mighty watermelon can easily overtake a whole garden! If you have bare spots, you can sow a few quick crops like lettuce or spinach to fill in.
Pinch off any early flowers so that young plants can focus on establishing strong roots. Remove “suckers” from tomato plants and plant them deep- up to the first set of leaves. Set up any supports, like trellises and tomato cages, when plants are small.
Direct seed watermelon, squash, cucumbers, corn, and beans or carefully transplant seedlings. Water new plantings well and keep the soil moist but not soggy.
Watch out for signs of pests or diseases and treat accordingly. Keep up on weeding and watering. Enjoy!
