We are officially past Derby Season, which means we can begin planting our gardens full of flowers and vegetables. Around the Kentuckiana area, it is always said to wait until after the Derby before doing any outdoor planting to make sure there is no threat to the crops by frosts and freezes. So, I am here to help you get started planting your garden by listing vegetables that are best planted in the month of May.

Early Spring Planting

  • Southern Indiana usually sees its last frost and freeze around late April or early May. These are the plants you can plant right now in the early spring season to have some garden flavors as soon as possible. These plants are also full of nutrients, colors, and flavors!
    1. Radishes
    2. Leafy Greens
    3. Carrots
    4. Chard
    5. Beets
    6. Turnips
  • Other early spring vegetables to plant in early May are:
    1. Broccoli
    2. Cauliflower
    3. Cabbage

These take a little longer to mature, but they are also more resilient in the heat. These plants thrive until their harvest at the end of June.

  • The best hardy vegetables to grow in the early Spring are:
    1. Onion Sets
    2. Potatoes

These can be planted whenever and do not really complain about the weather. Most of the time they are planted in early spring in order to enjoy them longer throughout the year.

Summer Heat Loving Plants

  • Many plants love the heat of the sun in summer in order to thrive, so it is best to wait and plant them in late May or Early June. These plants can be produced from seed or by starters, and can even be planted six weeks early in indoor containers before being transplanted outside.
    1. Beans
    2. Sweet Corn
    3. Tomatoes
    4. Cucumber
    5. Peppers
    6. Eggplants
    7. Melons
    8. Watermelon
    9. Squash
    10. Pumpkins

In Indiana, there are 173 days that are part of the growing season. So, it is important to know how long it takes the plants to mature for their harvest. Planting them at the correct time is essential for a full and bountiful harvest.

New Albany’s Farmers Market is now open every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until Noon through October 1. So, visit your local farmer’s market on Saturday morning to support farmers and small businesses! A lot of the early spring vegetables can now be found at the New Albany Farmer’s Market. There is also a table for the library, so stop by and say hello!

Last but not least, if you have no idea how to grow your own garden, please visit us at the library. We have a lot of gardening books you can check out that can help you plant your very own garden and learn more about sustainable living.

Happy planting and happy reading!