Here’s What Gardeners In The Carolinas Should Be Planting Right Now

It's high time to get those summer gardens going.  Here's what gardeners in the Carolinas should be planting right now.

Whether you are setting out seedlings or planting seeds, there is a wide variety of Carolina garden favorites that need to go into the ground this week.  These dates are for the Piedmont and areas to the east.  Higher elevations should give it a little more time.  We consulted the Old Farmers Almanac.

Let's start with seedlings.  These are plants that were started from seeds some weeks ago indoors, and are now ready to be transplanted into the ground outside.  Many Carolinas garden favorites are available as seedlings this time of year, including my Big Three -- tomatoes, cucumbers and bell peppers.  Starting seeds indoors lengthens the growing season by giving tender plants a head start in a warm atmosphere.

Tomato seedlings should be planted outdoors beginning now through May 3.  You also have until May 3 for planting cucumber, cantaloupe and eggplant seedlings.  The Almanac recommends a tighter window for bell peppers, jalapenos, oregano and basil.  Gardeners in the Carolinas should have those seedlings in the ground by April 26.

It's important to note that not all vegetables prefer to be started indoors and transplanted.  In fact, most vegetables grow better if planted outdoors as seeds.   This method, known as direct sowing, is especially good for plants that do not like having their roots disturbed.  Gardeners in the Carolinas should be thinking about getting the ground ready for green beans, okra, zucchini and summer squash.  All of these vegetables perform best if seeds are planted directly in the ground.  Your deadline to get them going is May 3.

Believe it or not, May 7th is World Naked Gardening Day. Yeah, I don't get it either. There's a lot of stuff out there that can bite or sting you. Nevertheless, enough people seem to enjoy tending their soil in the buff that Lawnstarter has put together a list of 2022’s Best Cities for Naked Gardening.

The landscaping company looked at 100 cities based on factors like nudist population size, legality of public nudity and toplessness, and gardener-friendliness, in addition to weather conditions and safety. Topping the list is Austin, Texas, which earned a score of 67.80, and is number one for Nude Gardener-Friendliness.

Related: Nudist Drinking Events Happening in UK Pubs

Orlando, Florida isn't far behind at #2. In fact, the home of the Magic Kingdom has the most nudists per 100,000 people, and is also the area with the highest Google search interest for “nudist” and “world naked gardening” over the last 12 months. They have the weather for it.

There appears to be quite a bit of interest in naked gardening here in North Carolina, too. Five cities across the state, including Charlotte (but not Asheville!?!), rank in the top 20 on Lawnstarter's list. It's not for me, but live your life. Just don't forget the bug spray and sunscreen.