The Dirt on the Strip: Mastering the May Humidity

It’s the first week of May, and in the Upstate, that means we’ve traded the “pollen fog” for the “humidity haze.” If you’ve stepped into your garden this morning, you probably noticed that everything—including the weeds—is growing at triple speed.

This week, we’re focusing on the critical transition from spring planting to summer maintenance. Here is how to keep your patch of the Golden Strip thriving as the thermometer climbs.

In the Dirt: The May Planting Priority

The threat of frost is firmly in the rearview mirror. If you haven’t filled your beds yet, this is the week to get your heavy hitters in the ground:

• Heat-Lovers: Eggplant, peppers, and sweet potatoes should go in now. They crave the warm soil temperatures that May provides.

• Succession Planting: If you harvested your first round of radishes or lettuce, don’t leave that soil bare! Fill those gaps with bush beans or more zinnias to keep the soil shaded and productive.

• The “Three Sisters” Window: If you’re planning a traditional corn, bean, and squash trio, early May is the ideal time to get your corn tall enough to support the climbing beans.

  Pest Alert: The “Big Three” of May

  We aren’t the only ones excited about the lush green growth. Keep a sharp eye out for:

  1. Aphids on New Growth: Check the tender tips of your roses and peppers. A sharp blast of water from the hose is usually enough to knock them off without needing chemicals.

  2. Squash Bug Eggs: Look on the underside of your squash and zucchini leaves for small, bronze-colored clusters. Squishing them now saves you a massive headache in June.

  3. Cabbage Worms: If your kale or broccoli looks like it’s been hit by buckshot, look for small green caterpillars. A light dusting of Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) is an effective organic fix.

  Preservation Prep: Getting Ready for the Glut

  It feels early, but the “harvest wave” is coming. Now is the time to check your supplies:

  • Check Your Seals: If you plan on canning this summer, inventory your jars and order new lids now before the local hardware stores sell out in July.

  • Morning Harvest: Start getting into the habit of harvesting herbs and early greens before 9:00 AM. They have the highest moisture content and best flavor before the sun begins to stress the plants.

  Weekly Pro-Tip: Don’t forget to “pinch” your basil! If you want bushy plants instead of tall, leggy ones, pinch off the top set of leaves once the plant is about 6 inches tall. This encourages it to branch out, giving you twice the pesto later this summer.

  What’s reaching for the sky in your garden this week? Next week, we’ll dive deep into vertical gardening for small spaces!