Newbies and Green thumbs alike, it’s May, say farewell to frost, it’s time to get dirty with this May Planting Guide! The plants respond to the warmer weather with vigor and can now reliably be planted so that, with luck and attention, they will mature in time to pick your veggies, herbs, and flowers.
Veggies Galor.
Time to put in those tomatoes, peppers, cucumber and squash! These sun-loving plants will begin to flourish in the warmer, longer days of May and will bloom into such a full blown harvest by mid-summer that you will be sharing the bounty.
Lift your food game by planting fresh herbs: plant basil, cilantro, parsley and dill in May in 7a. They not only flavor food, they draw good insects to the garden. If you decide to plant mint, do it in a contained area such as a raised bed, away from other plants. Mint will spread thanks to rhizomes in the roots and overtake anything it can.
Make it Pretty.
If you have a garden, consider planting blooms, since the garden bed or container will welcome flowers soon. For Massachusetts gardeners, consider planting marigolds, zinnias, and petunias in May. These annuals will pleasure you with flower blooms in the garden through the summer! Adding bright colors and pollen producing florals to your garden will encourage pollinators to pull up a stool.
Before sowing seed or planting germinated seeds or transplants from the May Planting guide, prepare your soil by incorporating compost or some other type of organic matter. This will enrich the soil’s nutrient profile. It can also enhance the porosity of clay soils, helping them better absorb and retain moisture. After planting, water new seeds and transplants frequently, especially temporarily during hot or dry conditions.
And that’s your planting guide for Massachusetts in May, in Zone 7a, which is the last planting zone state-wide, assuming worst-case frosts. For more information or to participate in community gardens give one our fave non-profits a visit, BACKYARD GROWERS!
April, the last remnants of winter melt away and it’s ideal time to dive into planting. You’re a seasoned gardener? Just starting out? This April Planting Guide offers a wealth of opportunities to cultivate a vibrant and productive garden. Here are some of the best plants to start growing in Massachusetts in April:
Tomatoes
While it’s still too early to plant tomatoes outdoors in April, it’s the perfect time to start seeds indoors. Tomatoes require a longer growing season, so starting them indoors gives them a head start before transplanting them outside once the danger of frost has passed. Choose a sunny spot indoors and sow tomato seeds in containers or seed trays filled with potting soil. With proper care, you’ll have healthy tomato seedlings ready for the garden in no time. c
Like tomatoes, peppers benefit from an early start indoors in April. Start pepper seeds in containers indoors about 8-10 weeks before the last frost date. Peppers thrive in warm temperatures, so be sure to provide adequate heat and light for optimal germination and growth. Once the seedlings have developed a few sets of true leaves, they can be transplanted into the garden after all threat of frost has passed.
Lettuce and Salad Greens
April is an excellent time to sow seeds for lettuce and other salad greens directly in the garden. Lettuce prefers cooler temperatures, so planting in early spring ensures a bountiful harvest before the heat of summer sets in. Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil and sow seeds thinly in rows or patches. Keep the soil consistently moist, and you’ll soon be enjoying fresh, crisp salads from your garden.
Radishes
Radishes are one of the quickest and easiest vegetables to grow, making them perfect for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike. Sow radish seeds directly in the garden in April, spacing them about an inch apart in rows. Radishes prefer cool weather and will mature in as little as three to four weeks. Harvest them when they reach the desired size for a crunchy and spicy addition to salads and snacks.
Many herbs thrive when started from seed or transplanted outdoors in April. Sow herbs like basil, cilantro, parsley, and dill directly in the garden once the soil has warmed up. Alternatively, you can start herb seeds indoors and transplant them outside later in the season. Herbs are not only delicious additions to your culinary creations but also attract beneficial insects to the garden.
Spinach
Spinach is another cool-season crop that thrives in Massachusetts in April. Sow spinach seeds directly in the garden in early spring for a nutritious and delicious addition to your meals. Spinach prefers rich, well-drained soil and regular watering to keep the leaves tender and flavorful. Harvest spinach leaves when they are young and tender for the best flavor and texture.
Peas
Plant a classic spring crop, peas, outdoors in April. As soon as the soil can be worked, space them about two inches apart in rows. Peas are climbing vines, so provide support for them to climb as they grow. Water regularly and fertilize, your reward will be sweet and crunchy pea pods in no time.
April is an exciting time for gardeners in Massachusetts as they prepare for the upcoming growing season. By planting these top crops in April, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of fresh vegetables and herbs throughout the spring and summer months. So grab your gardening gloves and get ready to sow the seeds of success in your garden this April!
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