May Vegetable Planting Guide
Article by Peg Smith -
May is the major planting time for the summer garden of warm-season vegetables. Daytime and nighttime average temperatures are optimal for transplanting and direct seeding. Our local weather can oscillate between cooler or warmer than usual, so some judgment is needed. For warmer-than-usual temperatures, hold off on transplanting seedlings, or provide them with shade. Cooler than usual transplanting is fine; the seedlings may be a little slower to push new growth. If the seeded soil is kept moist, seeds will do well in warmer-than-normal temperatures. Squash and melons have both male flowers and female flowers that need pollination. Planting bee-attracting plants such as borage will help attract bees to provide pollen transfer between male and female flowers. As we move to warmer weather, consistency and deep watering are key to healthy summer vegetable production. If you have room, corn and beans can be seeded every few weeks to spread out the harvest season for these vegetables.
YOLO COUNTY VEGETABLES RECOMMENDED FOR APRIL
Plant throughout the month – Beans (lima) – Seed Corn – Seed Cucumber – Seed and Transplants Melon - Seed Squash - Seed |
ADDITIONAL SACRAMENTO AREA RECOMMENDED VEGETABLES FOR APRIL
Plant throughout the month – Bean (green) – Seed Celariac – Seed Chard – Seed Chives _ Seed and Transplants Eggplant – Transplants Okra – Seed and Transplants Onion (multiplier) – Bulblets Pepper – Transplants Potato (sweet) – Slips and Transplants | Pumpkin – Seed Radish – Seed Soybean (Edamame) – Seed Spinach – Seed Squash (winter) – Seed Tomatillo – Transplants Tomato – Transplants Watermelon – Seed Plant the first two weeks – Radish (daikon) - Seed |