May 24, 2025 - Weekly Gardening Guide

Episode Transcript

Welcome back, green thumbs and garden enthusiasts, to The Keep Growing Podcast! I’m your host, John Morgan, coming to you from the heart of the Mid-Ohio Valley, where the soil is rich and the growing season is in full swing. Whether you’re tending a backyard plot, a community garden, or just a few pots on your porch, we’re here to keep you inspired and informed with practical tips to keep your garden thriving. 

This week, we’re diving into a special blend of history and horticulture. We’ll start with a nod to the past, as I share audio from Thursday’s bicentennial celebration of General Lafayette’s visit to Gallipolis, Ohio, back in 1825. Then, we’ll roll up our sleeves for the gardening tasks for Week 22, May 24th to 30th, and take a look at the weather forecast for the Mid-Ohio Valley. Plus, we’ve got a hot deal from Bob’s Market to close out the show. So, grab your trowel, and let’s get growing! 

[Fife and Drum Music] 

Before we dig into the dirt, let’s take a moment to step back in time. On Thursday, I had the privilege of recording at the bicentennial celebration of General Lafayette’s visit to Gallipolis, Ohio, which happened way back in 1825. For those who don’t know, General Lafayette was a French hero of the American Revolution, and his tour of the United States was a big deal—especially for the folks in Gallipolis, a town with deep French roots. Here’s a slice of what I captured at the event. 

[Audio Clip: Sounds of a crowd murmuring, a reenactor in period costume speaking as Lafayette]

{Reenactor as Lafayette} … Transcription Unavailable

[Crowd cheers, followed by a fife and drum performance fading out] 

What a moment! The reenactment brought history to life, with folks in period costumes (including myself), music, and stories that reminded us how connected we are to the past. Gallipolis was buzzing with pride, and it was a beautiful day to celebrate. If you missed it, check out social media for photos and more details. 

Now, let’s shift gears and talk about what’s happening in our gardens this week—Week 22, May 24th to 30th. 

[Segment Music Inst. Theme] 

Alright, gardeners, it’s time to get those hands dirty! Week 22 is packed with tasks to keep your garden productive and prepped for summer. Here’s what’s on the to-do list: 

First up, seed leaf lettuce as a trellised cucumber companion. Leaf lettuce is a fantastic, quick-growing crop that thrives in the shade of taller plants like cucumbers. Plant your lettuce seeds at the base of your cucumber trellis, and as the cukes climb, they’ll provide a natural canopy to keep the lettuce cool and tender. 

Next, seed broccoli and Roma beans. Broccoli loves the mild late-spring weather we’re getting, so get those seeds in the ground now for a fall harvest. Roma beans, those flat-podded beauties, are perfect for canning or freezing, and they’ll start producing by late summer if you sow them this week. 

Then, it’s time to plant asparagus beans, herbs, and Jack-O-Lantern pumpkins. Asparagus beans—also called yard-long beans—are heat-loving and great for stir-fries. Herbs like basil, cilantro, and dill will add flavor to your kitchen and attract pollinators. And don’t forget those Jack-O-Lantern pumpkins! Plant them now for perfect carving pumpkins come Halloween. 

Finally, stake and mulch your tomatoes. Your tomato plants are likely getting tall and bushy, so give them sturdy stakes or cages for support. Add a layer of mulch—straw, grass clippings, or wood chips—to keep the soil moist and weeds at bay. 

Oh, and a quick heads-up: Monday, May 26th, is Memorial Day, a time to honor our fallen heroes. It’s also a New Moon, which is an ideal time for planting seeds and transplants. The gravitational pull of the new moon helps seeds germinate and roots establish, so take advantage of this cosmic boost! 

[Transition Sound: Weather] 

Now, let’s talk weather, because Mother Nature always has a say in our gardening plans. Here’s the forecast for the Mid-Ohio Valley from May 24th to 30th, 2025, based on the latest projections. 

A wave of low pressure will approach the lower Mississippi Valley Sunday with an elongated frontal boundary along or just south of the Tennessee Valley. This area of low pressure will slowly track northeastward Monday into Monday night. Ahead of this area of low pressure, small chances of rain will exist across far southern portions of West Virginia Sunday and Monday, but most should remain dry. Temperatures will remain cool for late May with highs generally in the upper 60s to lower 70s Sunday and Monday. Rain chances will increase Monday night from south to north as low pressure approaches.

The remainder of the week looks quite active with numerous rain chances as low pressure approaches and slows over the mid-Atlantic and Northeast states. In addition, a closed, upper-level low will develop on Wednesday over the northern Great Lakes. This will continue to spin over the eastern 1/3 of the country through at least Saturday with waves of mid-level vorticity rounding the base of the trough. This will bring continued chances of showers and thunderstorms each day next week.

[Sound Fades] 

Before we wrap up, I’ve got a deal you won’t want to miss! This weekend, head over to Bob’s Market for our Memorial Day sale – (as Macho Man: “Geranium Mania 2025, Oooh yeaaah!”) We’re offering two 10-inch geranium baskets for just $37—perfect for adding a pop of color to your porch or patio. And for you tomato lovers, grab two caged tomato pots for $25. That’s a steal for healthy, ready-to-grow plants. Bob’s Market is open all weekend, so swing by and stock up! 

That’s all for this week’s episode of The Keep Growing Podcast. I hope you’re inspired to get out there and make your garden shine. If you enjoyed the show, share it with a fellow gardener, and drop us a comment on our website or social media. Until next week, keep your soil moist, your stakes sturdy, and keep growing!

[Outro Music]