As we head towards the summer solstice on June 21, the days grow longer by about 2 minutes each day. Plants are photoperiodic, that is they are programed to respond to the increase in daylight by growing more quicky. Some, like lettuce will “bolt” and send up flowering stalks as they seek to reproduce. Other, like onions and garlic are programmed to form bulbs when they receive a certain number of hours of daylight.
Mostly though, plants just grow faster and bigger in May light and it is a good time for urban farmers to take advantage of this.
If you have not already planted out your entire garden, it’s time to get the rest of your plants in, the sooner the better. With our 10 month growing season, there is still plenty of time to plant long season vegetables like tomatoes, peppers and eggplants. And this is a great time to plant the “summer crops” such as cucumbers, zucchini, winter squash, beans, corn, basil and pumpkins. Root crops such as carrots, beets and turnips can be planted now for late-summer or fall harvest, as can potatoes. In fact, most of these crops can be “succession planted” through the beginning of August. Greens are a little tricky right now since most of them are not heat tolerant and could use a little shade, although this is a great way to fill out your more shady beds.
For more information on when you can plant specific crops, the Master Gardeners of Alameda County have a Planting Recommendations flyer with detailed information.
So plan on spending some time in your garden and taking advantage of all that glorious May light!
