By Eddie Campos
The arrival of May signals that it is time to begin planting leafy vegetables.
Cucumbers, melons, watermelons, carrots, beets, tomato transplants and jalapeño transplants are just a few produce items that should be planted this month, as growers take a leap of faith that environmental conditions will improve to sustain our plants. So far, the April plantings have started to sprout as the irrigation water has held up into May.
Cucumbers, melons and watermelons can be planted on the 10-15 of May so the plants can escape late frosts. Tomatoes, jalapeños and yellow hot peppers can be transplanted at the same time. Root vegetables can be planted earlier, as it takes some time to germinate and sprout.
Most produce should be planted or transplanted by mid-May to ensure they receive proper irrigation that’s necessary for sprouting and getting a good start.
Late plantings of sweet corn and Calabaza Mexicana (winter squash) have to take a wait-and-see attitude on whether monsoon moisture can provide an increased pulse in creek/river water to provide irrigation water.
The unusually early planting of landrace chile has shown signs of surprising success as the first few seed pods have sprouted, with more to come. They were planted on April 10 and the first pods sprouted 19 days later on April 29.
This is amazing to El Vecino, as his normal planting is April 25 to May 5. The irrigation water has been sufficient for needed moisture.
Mayordomos in the Acequia de los Garcias are predicting ditch irrigation water until mid- to late May. El Vecino is hoping it will flow until mid-June, when showers can augment creek flow. We are still dependent on what Mother Nature can provide and that is nothing new. Esperamos la bendicion y el bien de Dios para nosotros.
May to Dos
1. Plant leafy produce.
2. Transplant tomatoes and jalapeños.
3. Apply first weeding.
4. Irrigate in a timely manner.
5. Add organics and water to compost.
6. Cut scapes off garlic.
7. Irrigate fruit trees.
8. Harvest asparagus, sauté them and enjoy.