Vegetables to grow in may in Sonbhadra up | Block-Wise Vegetable Guide

Are you a farmer from Sonbhadra, up (UP)? In May, in blocks like Babani, Chatra, Chopan, Duddhi, Ghorawal, Karm, Kon, Myorpur, Nagar, Obra, Robertsganj, the usual standing or harvest-ready crops are Okra, Cucumber, Bottle Gourd, Bitter Gourd, Ridge Gourd, Pumpkin. Some farmers are preparing nursery beds for Tomato, Brinjal, Chilli, Cauliflower, Cabbage.

In many areas, fresh leafy crops like Amaranth, Spinach, Coriander are also being sown. This is the end of the Zaid season and time to prepare for Kharif sowings before the monsoon arrives, so maintaining soil moisture with regular irrigation is critical. So your planning now will decide your profits in August–September.

We have prepared a farmer’s guide for Sonbhadra district for the month of May. This guide explains:

• Which crops should be sown now,
• Which crops should be raised in nurseries and when to transplant them,
• Which seeds can be sown directly without nurseries, and
• When nursery plants should be transplanted if they are ready.

You will get this information block-wise in the guide so you can easily decide what to do in May according to your area.

What fields typically look like early may

• Standing/harvest crops: Mango, litchi, and summer vegetables like okra and cucumber are still in the fields, ready for harvest.
  
• Nursery beds: Brinjal, tomato, chilli, and cauliflower seedlings are being raised for timely transplanting.
  
• Fresh leafy crops: Spinach, fenugreek, and amaranth sowing has started, ensuring early availability of greens.
  
• Pulses/cash crops: Urad dal and groundnut continue in suitable areas.
  
  

👉 Overall, in early may, fields in Sonbhadra show a mix of standing vegetables, nurseries, new leafy sowings, and pulse/cash crops.

What to start now (May)

Direct sowing (seeds directly in the field):
Okra (Bhindi), Amaranthus (Chaulai), Cowpea (Lobiya), Cluster Bean (Guar), Cucumber, Bitter Gourd, Bottle Gourd, Sponge Gourd, Ridge Gourd, Pumpkin, Watermelon, Muskmelon, Groundnut, Sesame (Til).
✅ Benefit – These are warm-season crops suited for Sonbhadra's May climate and ensure early yield.

Nursery preparation (for later transplanting):
Prepare nurseries for early paddy (rice), tomato, brinjal, chili, and cucurbits (gourds).
✅ Benefit – Allows for selection of healthy seedlings and timely transplanting during the monsoon season in Sonbhadra.

Transplanting (nursery → main field):
If irrigation is available, transplant early paddy seedlings raised in April. Transplant summer vegetables like tomato, chili, and brinjal if nurseries were prepared earlier.
✅ Benefit – Early transplanting ensures a longer growing season and potentially higher yields in Sonbhadra.

Land preparation:
Prepare the land for the Kharif (monsoon) season crops like paddy, maize, sorghum, and pulses. Plough and level the fields.
✅ Benefit – Ensures timely sowing of Kharif crops with the onset of monsoon rains in Sonbhadra.

Orchard Management:
Take care of mango and litchi orchards. Provide irrigation if needed and control fruit fly infestations.
✅ Benefit – Ensures good fruit set and quality, leading to better market prices for Sonbhadra farmers.

👉 In this way, by planning direct sowing, nurseries, transplanting, land preparation, and orchard management in May, Sonbhadra farmers can increase their income.

Let’s Start in May – Crop + Method + Advantage

Block-Wise Snapshot (Quick View)

Block-Wise Recommendations (Detailed)

🌾 Babani Block

• Sow now: Okra, Bottle Gourd, Cucumber, Bitter Gourd
• Prepare Nurseries: Brinjal, Chili
• How & Why:
  
  • These vegetables are suitable for the May month climate in Sonbhadra.
  • Early sowing ensures better yield and market price.
    
• Advantage: High demand for summer vegetables = good income.
  

🌾 Chatra Block

• Sow now: Okra, Pumpkin, Ridge Gourd, Sponge Gourd
• Prepare Nurseries: Tomato, Capsicum
• How & Why:
  
  • Focus on vegetables that tolerate heat and less water.
  • Nursery preparation ensures timely transplanting after monsoon.
    
• Advantage: Diversified vegetable basket for local markets.
  

🌾 Chopan Block

• Sow now: Cowpea, Cluster Bean
• Prepare Nurseries: Brinjal, Tomato
• How & Why:
  
  • These legumes improve soil fertility and provide good returns.
  • Timely nursery preparation ensures seedlings are ready for transplanting.
    
• Advantage: Legumes enhance soil health + vegetable income.
  

🌾 Duddhi Block

• Sow now: Okra, Bottle Gourd, Cucumber
• Prepare Nurseries: Chili, Tomato
• How & Why:
  
  • Focus on drought-resistant varieties.
  • Proper nursery management is critical for seedling survival.
    
• Advantage: Reliable vegetable production even with limited water.
  

🌾 Ghorawal Block

• Sow now: Pumpkin, Bitter Gourd
• Prepare Nurseries: Brinjal, Capsicum
• How & Why:
  
  • Select vegetables that can withstand high temperatures.
  • Ensure proper drainage in nurseries to prevent fungal diseases.
    
• Advantage: Good market demand for gourds and capsicum.
  

🌾 Karm Block

• Sow now: Okra, Cowpea
• Prepare Nurseries: Tomato, Chili
• How & Why:
  
  • These crops are relatively easy to manage in May.
  • Ensure adequate watering for nurseries.
    
• Advantage: Simple crops with good market potential.
  

🌾 Kon Block

• Sow now: Bottle Gourd, Ridge Gourd
• Prepare Nurseries: Brinjal, Tomato
• How & Why:
  
  • Focus on vine crops that provide shade to the soil.
  • Protect nurseries from direct sunlight.
    
• Advantage: Gourds are popular and fetch decent prices.
  

🌾 Myorpur Block

• Sow now: Okra, Cluster Bean
• Prepare Nurseries: Chili, Capsicum
• How & Why:
  
  • Select short-duration varieties for quick returns.
  • Manage pests and diseases in nurseries effectively.
    
• Advantage: Quick income and disease-free seedlings.
  

🌾 Nagar Block

• Sow now: Cucumber, Pumpkin
• Prepare Nurseries: Brinjal, Tomato
• How & Why:
  
  • These vegetables thrive in the hot climate.
  • Use raised beds for nursery preparation.
    
• Advantage: Reliable yield in the summer months.
  

🌾 Obra Block

• Sow now: Bitter Gourd, Sponge Gourd
• Prepare Nurseries: Tomato, Chili
• How & Why:
  
  • These gourds are well-suited for the local market.
  • Provide shade and regular watering to nurseries.
    
• Advantage: Stable demand and good prices for gourds.
  

🌾 Robertsganj Block

• Sow now: Okra, Cowpea
• Prepare Nurseries: Brinjal, Capsicum
• How & Why:
  
  • These crops are adaptable to various soil types.
  • Monitor nurseries for pests and diseases regularly.
    
• Advantage: Easy cultivation and good market access.
  

Pest Watch & Irrigation Tips

Key pests to watch

• Okra: Fruit borer, whitefly
  
• Cucurbits (gourds/cucumber): Powdery mildew, fruit fly
  
• Leafy greens: Aphids, cutworm
  
• Tomato/Brinjal: Fruit borer, shoot borer
  
  

Simple actions:

• Scout twice a week. Check undersides of leaves and growing tips.
  
• Remove and destroy infested fruits/leaves.
  
• Use pheromone traps for fruit/borer insects and keep fields clean of weeds.
  
• Follow label-recommended sprays only when needed; rotate sprays to avoid resistance.
  
  

Irrigation

• Ensure regular irrigation every 3-5 days, or more often during peak heat, checking soil moisture.
  
• Avoid water stagnation in nurseries; ensure drainage.
  
• Use mulching (dry leaves/straw/plastic where feasible) to save moisture and reduce weeds.
  
• Prefer drip or furrow irrigation for gourds and tomato where possible.
  

Conclusion

May in Sonbhadra is all about smart planning:

• Continue harvesting summer vegetables like Okra, Gourds, and Cowpea for regular income.
  
• Ensure timely and adequate irrigation to protect standing crops from intense heat.
  
• Start land preparation for monsoon (Kharif) season crops like Paddy, Maize, and Arhar.
  
• Consider sowing heat-tolerant leafy greens like Amaranth or specific cucurbit varieties for continued market supply.
  
• Keep a close eye on pests and diseases, especially those thriving in heat, and manage them effectively.
  
  

If you follow these steps block-wise—focusing on consistent harvest of summer crops, efficient water management, and timely preparation for the monsoon—you’ll manage the heat well and set a strong foundation for the upcoming Kharif season.