May: Planting for Summer

May: Planting for Summer

Introduction

May is when your garden truly comes alive. The days are warmer, the sun is stronger, and it's time to plant summer-loving crops while keeping spring greens thriving. Whether you're growing in a LifeSpace Garden powered by GardenWells sub-irrigation or using your own DIY wicking bed, May is the perfect month to scale up planting, manage your watering strategy, and get ready for a season of abundance.

Reservoir Rhythm for May

With longer, sunnier days, plants are drinking more, and evaporation rates are increasing. In May, expect to refill your GardenWells reservoirs every 10–14 days on average. Use the WaterStem to check levels — when the Hummingbird floats up, you’re full and ready to grow.

Pro Tip: Continue top-watering transplants and seedlings for the first 7–10 days until their roots reach the SIP moisture zone.

Reservoir vs. Top-Watering Comparison for May

Watering Method Average Refill Frequency Water Efficiency Plant Stress Risk Maintenance Level
GardenWells Wicking Bed Every 10–14 days ★★★★★ (90%+ retained) Very low — steady hydration Minimal
Traditional Top Watering Every 1–2 days ★★☆☆☆ (45% retained) High — soil drying cycles stress plants High
Hand-Watering Containers Daily ★☆☆☆☆ (30–40% retained) High — uneven moisture harms growth Intensive

Key Gardening Tasks for May

1. Plant Heat-Loving Crops

  • Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants into SIPs for consistent hydration.

  • Direct-seed warm-season veggies like beans, cucumbers, zucchini, and corn for fast growth.

2. Keep Spring Greens Thriving

  • Harvest spinach, arugula, and lettuce regularly to encourage new growth.

  • Direct-seed another round of radishes, carrots, and beets for mid-summer salads.

3. Prep for Pests

  • Watch for slugs, flea beetles, and aphids as temps rise.

  • Interplant nasturtiums to naturally deter pests and attract pollinators.

4. Optimize Watering & Mulching

  • Top up SIPs to support fast-growing crops.

  • Add mulch around seedlings to conserve moisture and protect tender roots from fluctuating temps.

🌟 Veggie of the Month: Tomatoes

May is tomato time! The warm soil and longer days create the perfect conditions to get these summer favorites going.

Quick Tomato Tips:

  • Planting: Transplant strong seedlings into SIPs for steady hydration.

  • Support: Install cages or trellises for indeterminate varieties before growth accelerates.

  • Bonus Tip: Interplant with basil — they complement each other beautifully, and basil helps deter pests.

📘 Read the Full Tomato Growing Guide →

What to Plant, Start, Transplant & Harvest in May

Action Veggies & Herbs
Direct-Seed Outdoors Beans, Corn, Cucumbers, Zucchini, Summer Squash, Carrots, Beets, Radishes, Lettuce, Spinach, Arugula, Kale, Swiss Chard, Turnips, Mustard Greens, Peas (last chance before heat), Cilantro, Dill, Parsley, Basil
Start Indoors Melons, Pumpkins, Winter Squash
Transplant Now Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplant, Cucumbers, Zucchini, Broccoli (early May only), Cauliflower (if hardened off), Basil, Cilantro, Parsley, Dill, Rosemary, Mint, Thyme, Oregano
Harvest This Month Spinach, Arugula, Lettuce, Radishes, Kale (overwintered), Scallions, Baby Beets, Early Peas

Out-of-the-Box: Start Your Garden Today

If you just unboxed your LifeSpace Garden, May is the ultimate jump-start month:

  • Plant heat-lovers like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and zucchini right away.

  • Direct-seed greens like spinach, lettuce, and arugula for continuous salad harvests.

  • Fill your GardenWells reservoirs using the WaterStem, confirm the Hummingbird indicator is floating, and top-water seedlings for a week before letting your SIP handle the rest.

💡 Product Tips

May is the time when your garden expands fast, and the right tools make it effortless:

Back to A Year in Your LifeSpace Garden