Are you wondering what to plant in your garden this May? Well, you’re in for a treat because I’m about to share the exciting projects I have planned for this month, along with a special tip. Stick around, and let’s make this the best gardening season yet!
Let’s dive into the vegetables you can plant this month. While summer officially starts in about a month and a half, here in Florida, it’s already hot, and we need plants that thrive in this heat. No wimpy plants here, we’re talking about the tough ones.
1. Heat-Loving Vegetables: Thriving in Florida Summer
- Amaranth: A great alternative green that also produces grains.
- Chayote: A Vining perennial squash, similar to summer squash.
- Cowpeas (Black-eyed peas): Grow like weeds in Florida.
- Luffa: Fun to grow; use as a zucchini substitute or let it mature for sponges.
- Okra: A cool vegetable for the summer, essential for gumbos and jambalayas.
- Papaya: A perennial fruit in South and Central Florida.
- Peanuts: Yes, you can grow your own peanuts and make peanut butter.
- Pigeon Peas: A perennial pea with characteristics of a bean.
- Pineapple: A surprising fruit to grow in your garden.
- Roselle: One of my favorites; grows more each year.
- Sweet Potatoes: Easy to grow for a substantial yield.
- Swiss Chard: A resilient green that withstands both heat and cold.
- Tropical Spinach: Explore different varieties like Malabar, Okinawa, Perpetual Longevity, and more.
- Tropical Squashes: Seminole pumpkins, Tahitian melon squashes, and others that do well in the summer.
Don’t forget about flowers! Zinnias, marigolds, Cosmos, Salvia, and sunflowers can add beauty to your summer garden.
2. May Gardening Projects: Staying Ahead of the Heat
Project 1: Adjusting Watering Schedule and Mulching
- Increase watering frequency and duration gradually.
- Chase the shade while working in the garden.
- Mulch, mulch, mulch! Use leaves, grass clippings, and chipped branches for free mulch.
Project 2: Tomato Pruning
- Employ the Florida weave method for tomato plants.
- Keep up with pruning, focusing on the bottom and allowing top growth.
- Use a hybrid approach for pruning, not necessarily single-stemming, for better yields.
Project 3: House Plants Outdoors
- Bring house plants to a covered patio for about a week to get sunlight.
- Ensure plants are in a shaded area to prevent damage from direct sun exposure.
- Consider this for extending the life of your house plants.
3. Special Tip: Staying Cool in Summer Gardening
Summer gardening can be challenging, but here are some tips to beat the heat:
- Garden Early or Late: Work before 9 A.M. or after 5 P.M.
- Night Gardening: Consider working at night with a headlamp.
- 15 Garden, 1 Chill: Spend 15 minutes outside, then take an hour break indoors.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water and have a snack or meal before gardening.
- Wet Cloth or Fan Mister: Keep cool with a damp cloth or a misting fan.
- Wear Light Clothes: Opt for shorts, tank tops, or flowy skirts for comfort.
- World Naked Gardening Day: May 6 is the day if you’re feeling adventurous!
Even with these tricks, summer gardening might not be for everyone, but consider trying a heat-loving plant as part of a neglect experiment. Direct seed them, water them initially, and then neglect them. Happy Gardening
