Many gardeners have been working their flower and vegetable beds for weeks, but the rain has thrown the proverbial monkey wrench into many plans. 

Some forecasters say we have started to turn the corner towards drier and warmer weather, so one expert says it’s time to think about what you can plant in May and beyond. University of Illinois Extension Commercial Ag Educator Nathan Johanning (JOE-hanning) says before jumping into any project, look around to see if your piece of land is ready for planting.

He says raised-bed gardens can be a way around some of the saturated soil, as the nature of those promotes better drainage. Around mid-May you can start to plant your warm-season vegetables, like tomatoes and peppers, and then come back to the cool-season plants heading into fall.