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"Preserving the future,
one seed at a time." ™
Welcome
to VintageVeggies.com™
and the Web home of the Victory Seed Company.
This Almanac should be used as a
general guideline of common garden tasks. You should modify the list based
on your specific geographic area.
Our Newsletter Archive
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May is the month when most of us all head
into our main gardening season. It is during this month that most
vegetables can be planted.
In the Vegetable Garden
- Set out
tomato plants when evening temperatures stay above 50 degrees F.
-
Melons should be planted as soon
as all danger of frost is past. Plant extra seeds in the hill and cull as
necessary.
- Sow tender plants like
lima beans,
cucumbers,
pumpkins,
gourds, and
squash after all danger of frost is past.
-
Broccoli and
Brussels Sprouts can also be planted now.
- Succession crops of
radishes,
lettuce and
other greens can be planted for longer harvest times.
- Every couple of days, loosen up the
crust on cucumber, squash, and melons to help the seedlings to emerge and to help prevent dampening
off.
-
Rhubarb plants can use a heavy
dose of composted manure. spread around the plants and dig in well.
-
Eggplants and
peppers can be set out later in the month in the North and earlier in
the South.
- Consider
New Zealand Spinach as an alternative or adjunct to standard
spinach. It does great in warmer climates and is a perennial in
climates with milder winters.
- If you are a beginning gardener, don't
just plant
bush beans. It is not much more difficult to cultivate pole-type or
climbers and you will be rewarded with longer harvest periods and greater
amounts for the same garden space. Check out our trellising ideas on our
Bean Page.
-
Witloof chicory can be planted
early this month. They will provide roots that can be used in the cellar
for forcing in the Winter as a crop of 'Belgium' or 'White' Endive.
- If frost threatens, cover tender plants
with straw, buckets, or old blankets. Make sure not to crush the plants.
- Don't forget to include kitchen
herbs like
thyme,
parsley,
sage, and mints.
In the Flower Garden
- Nearly all varieties of
flower seeds may be sown in the garden at this time.
- Plants received by mail should be
allowed to soak in water for several minutes and planted as soon as
possible.
-
Shasta Daisies,
Forget-Me-Nots and other "clumping" plants can be divided.
- Dahlias should be divided and planted
now.
- Plant annuals in between your waning
tulip and daffodil bulbs.
- Do not remove daffodil foliage until
after it yellows and begins to brown.
- Before your
sweet peas fall over, make sure that you have provide some form of
support.
Trees & Shrubs
- Now is the time to train evergreen
shrubs like arbor viatae, hemlock, spruce and yew into shapes.
- Mulch blueberry plants heavily with
sawdust. Douglas fir works excellent.
- Mulching newly planted shrubs and trees
with grass clippings, leaves, or peat to conserve moisture. Newly planted
roses, perennials, and fruit trees will also benefit from this practice.
Note: This almanac page should be
used as a general guideline of common garden tasks. You should modify the
list based on your specific geographic area. For a very useful tool to
aide in planning your garden,
click here. |
