Vegetable Edibles to Plant in May

Seed enthusiast Charles B. Ledgerwood (1906-1999) had a bulk seed business for over 50 years in Southern California, in the seaside village of Carlsbad. His home and store front were literally "a stone's throw" from the ocean. He sold his seeds out of vintage 60 year old bread boxes in a one room store attached to the front of his home. Gardeners and farmers from all over Southern California, frequented his small stucco store with a simple "Seeds" sign above the door.

He loved his seeds, and loved to share his knowledge of seeds, growing practices, and tips with everyone. Tacked high above his shelves was the prophetic quote, "All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today." Charles B. Ledgerwood lived well into his nineties, but didn't sell or leave his seed business to family. However, his seeds and vintage bread boxes live on in full glory at The Urban Seed, Home & Garden, an incredible creative garden shop located in Fiesta de Reyes, Old Town, San Diego. Friendly owners, Maurice Taitano and Michael Bliss, sell seeds and much more for your home and garden. It is worth a trip.

As a guide for all of us in Southern California, Charles B. Ledgerwood created a Southern California Vegetable Planting Month-by-Month Calendar. Here are his vegetable edibles planting suggestions for the month of May. Best planting names are capitalized.

BEANS, BEETS, CARROTS, CANTELOUPE, CORN, CUCUMBERS, EGGPLANT, LIMAS, OKRA, parsley, PEPPER, PUMPKIN, RADISH, NEW ZEALAND SPINACH, SQUASH, SUNFLOWER, TOMATO, JICAMA, WATERMELON, and SWISS CHARD.

Please share what you are growing in your garden now.  Please comment if you are familiar with Charles B. Ledgerwood and his seed business, of years past.