What to Plant in the Month of May
This article was updated on April 25, 2023
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Last year at this time Austin gardening was a doozy! The temperatures had already broken records. Luckily, this year we’ve had a bit of relief and increased rainfall. I find summer to be the most rewarding time in the garden, but it also takes a little more effort to maintain plant health and production when you are battling the heat and increased number of pests. But don’t let this discourage you! The summer is a great time to pull up your garden knickers and learn a thing or two. I leave every summer season with new knowledge to take into the next year. Now, pull out your journal and get ready to enjoy your garden!
Prime Ark 45 Blackberry is Perfect for Central Texas Heat
YOUR AUSTIN KITCHEN GARDEN
WHAT TO PLANT BY SEED OUTDOORS IN MAY
Companion Herbs and Edibles: basil, catnip/catmint, comfrey, fennel, horseradish, oregano, thyme, Mexican mint, marigold, peppermint, lemongrass, lemon balm, lemon verbena, bay laurel
Fruit and Vegetables: cantaloupe, okra, southern peas, sweet potato slips, pumpkin, summer & winter squash, watermelon, warm season greens, malabar spinach, tomatillos
WHAT TO TRANSPLANT AS SEEDLINGS OUTDOORS IN MAY
eggplant, sweet potato slips, rosemary, cucumbers
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MY FAVORITE PLANTS TO GROW IN A SUMMER EDIBLE GARDEN
Watching the beautiful okra blooms reach for the sky and the climbing cucumbers on my arbor are two of my favorite summer experiences in the garden. No two summers are ever the same in my garden and I always take pleasure in what new natural dances of nature unfold.
Culinary Sage Growing in Austin Urban Garden
THE PERFECT GARDEN GIFT!
WARM SEASON PLANTS YOU CAN PUSH FOR MORE PRODUCTION BEFORE THE AUGUST HEAT
I have a hard time accepting when it’s time to pull a plant from the garden–i’m stubborn that way. I have had success letting tomatoes and peppers linger all the way into October! Some other plants that you can kindly encourage to keep producing are arugula, swiss chard, cucumbers, herbs, strawberries, blackberries and spinach. Hit me up on Instagram if you decide to experiment with keeping your warm plants around for the summer.
Upright Four Nerve Daisy
YOUR AUSTIN FLOWER GARDEN IN MAY
Gardens are not just for vegetables. Remember there are a number of ways to create a symbiotic backyard ecosystem. By giving a home to flowering plants you are giving a home to pollinators, birds and establishing environmentally friendly pest control.
POPULAR NATIVE PLANTS FOR AUSTIN INCLUDE:
coneflower (echinacea), zinnia, cosmos, sunflower, celosia, penta, periwinkle, Mexican sunflower, salvia coccinea, black-eyed susan, lion’s plant, pride of barbados, goldenrod, skeleton leaf golden eye, muhly bamboo, mexican feather grass, texas lantana, turk’s cap, anise hyssop, autumn sage
How to Grow Organic Eggplant from Seed
Eggplants are one of the most beautiful, easiest fruits to grow in the garden. With an abundance of nutritious value and flavors, I encourage you to try a few varieties this summer!
OTHER GREAT OPTIONS FOR YOUR HOT FLOWER GARDEN AND LANDSCAPE:
bee balm, blue mist, borage, yellow columbine, verbena, aster, sunflower, yarrow
Yarrow blooms in a hot central Texas garden
8 TIPS FOR DEALING WITH THE HEAT IN YOUR Summer GARDEN
Water hot season gardens deeply and more often. Unfortunately water is a huge factor in your summer garden success especially in Central Texas. Make sure to water deeply and place mulch on top layer so that the moisture is locked into soil. Since May is also historically the wettest month in Austin, try to collect rainwater this month in barrels or buckets and use accordingly.
Tend to your garden in the morning and evening to prevent heat exhaustion or sunburn. Harvest, feed and treat for pests during these times of the day to prevent plant shock.
Space for air flow when planning your garden and prune areas that seem too crowded to prevent disease, fungus and pests.
Vertical gardening is a great way to maximize space as well as increase airflow.
Clean tools between pruning with alcohol wipes to further prevent transfer of disease and fungus.
Prune vegetable plants and deadhead flowers for more production and pollinator support.
Fertilize with compost at the beginning of the hot season and once in the middle. Most of the fruiting plants in the summer garden are heavy feeders so do your research on how to feed at each stage of plant growth to maximize health and yields
Row covers are your best friend year round! I know we visibly want a beautiful garden with no frills but row covers are important during the summer months for protection from pests such as vine borers, large rodents, etc. Also, you can use shade cloth on top of your mesh garden covers to give some plants like beans a mid summer break from the sun.
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