May Texas Garden Tips - Is it too late to plant?

If you haven’t started your Texas garden yet or have a bunch of empty space, you may think it’s too late to start your spring kitchen garden plants.

Is it to late to plant?

The key to knowing how to have a successful kitchen garden is knowing what to plant when. And yes, Texas gardening is tough with our summer heat right around the corner. I strongly encourage people to plant and grow all year long, but you must know what is right for the month you are in. If you are growing year round like our clients can, you will also have a thriving garden to tend to and harvest from in addition to all the fun plants to can add this month.

Here are some ways you can enjoy your Texas garden in the month of May:

What to plant in May as seed:

Cantaloupe, Okra, Pumpkin, Southern Peas, Summer Squash, Thyme, Tomatoes, Watermelon, Winter Squash.

What to plant in May as transplants:

Basil, Cantaloupe, Chives, Cucumber, Eggplant, Malabar Spinach, Mint, Okra, Oregano, Peppers, Rosemary, Sage, Strawberries, Summer Squash, Sweet Potato (Slips), Thyme, Tomatoes, Watermelon, Winter Squash, Zinnias.

How to care for your Austin Texas vegetable garden in May:

With overnight lows warming up and that Texas sun high in the sky, our plants are taking off, but also feeling the pressure. Consistent water is always key, which can be impossible sometimes with our heavy spring rains. Ensure you keep the airflow around their base and between plants with pruning. Use cornmeal (horticultural, not the grocery store kind) if fungal problems take effect. It's always better to manage and reduce the fungal problems early. Remove all effected leaves and treat remaining leaves and the soil. The fungus spreads easily with every splash on the soil. Ensure you keep unhealthy/yellowing leaves trimmed off with sharp, clean sheers. Good garden hygiene is important to reduce the spread of pathogens that enter our gardens with air and insects. A weekly spray of liquid seaweed on all leaves can help reduce damage from common pests.

What you can harvest from your raised bed kitchen garden during the month of May:

I hope your enjoyment of your tomatoes and peppers is in full swing! Tomatoes can be harvested when fully ripe, or if birds become an issue, "at first blush" harvesting may work better for you; harvest when first red appears and then ripen them inside at room temperature out of direct sunlight. Melons probably need a bit more heat and time to ripen; they will separate easily from the vines when they're ready. Your first of the large peppers like bells to grow should be harvested early to allow the plant to grow larger to support more fruit. Most summer crops should be stored at room temperature for the best flavor and eaten within a few days of harvest. Salsa time! (Stay tuned for our Tips post on salsa gardening next week!)