May is here and at last, some serious gardening can begin.

If they aren’t already done, beds and gardens can be prepared for planting. Work compost and fertilizer into the warming soil, remove the weeds and clear out any remaining dead growth from last year. Break up compacted soil to a depth of six to eight inches as this will facilitate the growth of seeds or transplants and help them to establish strong root systems and healthy stems, foliage and fruit or flower growth.

If you plan to grow herbs this year, you may want to try an easy-to-grow variety that can be used in cooking a variety of dishes. Cilantro adds a delicious citrus-like parsley flavor to foods and has become a very popular kitchen herb.

Cilantro can be grown from seed in the garden and it prefers a moist, well-drained location that will receive at least six hours of sun per day. This herb grows quickly and you can usually begin to harvest the leaves in about three to four weeks. When the plant is two inches tall, apply a liquid fertilizer and, if you want a harvest of the herb all season, continue to plant more seeds every two to three weeks until late summer. To encourage more leaf growth, pinch back the plants about one inch. Do not allow the plants to flower or produce seed pods, as this will cause the leaves to become bitter.

When you harvest cilantro leaves, try to use the upper, fine leaves rather than the lower, ferny ones. Cilantro should be used fresh. If you have a delay from harvesting to use, you can place the cilantro in a glass of cold water for a day or two. It can also be kept fresh by washing it and wrapping the sprigs in paper towels. Keep these in the refrigerator and it will retain its flavor for about a week. Dried cilantro tends to lose its flavor but, by raising it yourself, you can have plenty to use through the growing season.

Cilantro is delicious in salsas and salads. It is good with vegetables, especially corn and green beans. It can be used to flavor meat dishes and is a staple for cooking Mexican, Middle Eastern and Asian foods.

Along with herbs, you may want to grow some of your own vegetables this summer. It is a great way to save money and have fresh, healthy produce for your family’s meals. If you have never grown vegetables before, or it has been a while since you have gardened, you may want to start out with some very easy-to-grow varieties. Though easy to grow, the following are very tasty and nutritious.

• Cherry tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes are a great choice for the garden because they produce a lot of fruit on each plant. They grow very quickly and can be started as transplants in the garden or in containers. They need a sunny location and should be staked for support.

• Green beans. These can be started from seeds and usually sprout very soon after planting. They need about six hours of sun each day and well-drained, warm soil. The bean plants will produce tiny blooms before fruiting. Once the beans are growing, they should be harvested when four to six inches long.

• Radishes. These are super easy to grow and ready to pick within a very short time. They need full sun and can be started from seeds. Don’t let the radishes get too large as they will become bitter.

• Lettuce. Lettuce grows very quickly and produces leaves large enough to pick in a short time. If you want a succession of lettuce, replant seeds each week or two until late spring. Hot weather will slow the growth of the lettuce or cause it to die out so plant early.

• Cucumbers. Start your cucumbers from transplants and put them in the garden after all danger of frost has passed. They need full sun, plenty of water and warm temperatures. Harvest them when they are the size as advertised on the plant tag. If allowed to grow too large, they tend to become bitter.

Whether you have a small plot, a large garden space or maybe some containers, any or all of these varieties will provide a harvest of good taste. Also, you may want to consider growing some extra veggies this summer to donate to a food pantry or homeless shelter. The need is so great now and fresh vegetables would be a welcome addition to the provisions for those in need.

If you have garden questions or tips for other gardeners, send them in to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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