Kitchen garden tips: Sow these 5 vegetables in your home garden in May
Kitchen garden tips: If you're thinking about starting a vegetable garden at home, begin sowing seeds of cucumber, okra, and more this month. As you sow these vegetable seeds in your home garden this May, remember to keep an eye on watering, fertilising, and pest management to ensure a bountiful harvest.
The warm months of May and June are here, and it's the perfect time to roll up our sleeves and get our hands dirty in the garden, especially in India. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just dipping your toes into the world of homegrown produce, there's no better time to sow some vegetable seeds and watch them flourish. These two months provide the perfect conditions for seeds to sprout and grow into healthy plants (Image: Canva)
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Okra: Also known as lady's fingers, okra is a warm-season vegetable that loves the heat. May provides the perfect conditions for sowing okra seeds, as the soil begins to warm up and the risk of frost diminishes. Choose a sunny spot in your garden with well-draining soil and sow okra seeds directly into the ground, spacing them around 12 inches apart. Keep the soil consistently moist and watch as the plants start to produce their distinctive green pods within a couple of months (Image: Canva)
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Cucumbers: Crunchy, refreshing, and oh-so-delicious, cucumbers are a staple in many home gardens. May is an ideal time to sow cucumber seeds, whether you're planting them in containers or directly into the soil. These vining plants appreciate plenty of sunlight and consistent moisture. Provide them with a trellis or support structure to climb as they grow, and you'll soon be rewarded with an abundant harvest of crisp cucumbers for salads, pickling, or snacking (Image: Canva)
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Green chillies: For those who like a bit of heat in their dishes, green chillies are a must-have in the garden. Sow chilli seeds in May for a summer filled with spicy delights. These peppers thrive in warm weather and require plenty of sunlight to flourish. Plant them in well-drained soil and water consistently to keep the plants healthy and productive. Whether you prefer them fresh, dried, or in sauces, green chillies add a fiery kick to your culinary creations (Image: Canva)
Tomatoes: No home garden is complete without tomatoes, and May is the perfect time to get them started. With a plethora of varieties to choose from, from cherry tomatoes to beefsteak, there's something for every taste preference. Tomato plants love warmth and sunlight, so be sure to plant them in a sunny spot with fertile, well-drained soil. Provide support for the vines as they grow, and keep an eye out for pests and diseases. With proper care, you'll soon be harvesting juicy, ripe tomatoes straight from the vine (Image: Canva)
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Aubergine: Also known as eggplant or brinjal, aubergine is a versatile vegetable that thrives in the heat of May. Sow aubergine seeds in well-drained soil and place them in a sunny spot in your garden. These plants appreciate consistent watering and benefit from mulching to retain moisture and suppress weeds. With a range of varieties available, from classic purple to striped and white, aubergine adds a pop of colour and flavour to your garden and your plate (Image: Canva)
Sushmita Srivastav An independent journalist and editor, Sushmita writes on diverse topics, ranging from travel, food, fitness and health, to luxury, culture, and everything in between.
