05/20/2026
Hello Gardeners,
It’s been a tough spring to be a vegetable gardener. The majority of southern Kentucky has been in a severe drought for the last few months; although thankfully, parts of the state has recently received measurable scattered rainfall. Also, after gardeners finally planted their vegetables, most areas experienced very late frost conditions. How does a gardener rebound from all this?
The good news is, it’s not too late to replant if needed. Vegetable transplants can still be found at most garden centers and big box stores. I even noticed this past week that several local farm supply stores still had a nice selection of plants for sale. By planting now, your harvest may be delayed a bit, but most plants will still produce by midsummer.
Transplants purchased now may be a bit overgrown or “leggy”, so be sure to plant them deep in the soil. Overgrown tomatoes can even be planted in a trench by laying them on their side with the stems covered and the leaves turned upward. Extra roots will emerge along the buried stem, which will result in a stronger plant and more production. With the recent rise in temperatures, vegetables normally planted from seed, such as sweet corn, green beans, cucumbers, and squash, should germinate quickly. After planting, garden beds need at least one inch of moisture a week to maximize growth. This can be achieved through rainfall, if we’re lucky, or supplemental irrigation.
Even with a late start, gardening can still be an enjoyable and productive activity this summer. It’s not only physically rewarding, by the food you grow, but also mentally stimulating, as you work in nature with the knowledge you can be self-sufficient.
Happy Gardening,
Barb
