May Guide

May Growing Tips

What's going on in May?

Ok, we can get excited now…as this is usually the start of summer. Long, warm days outside – and hopefully you can start the summer as you mean to go on with plenty of time outside.

The wellbeing benefits of being outdoors around green space (and by extension, the mindfulness and sense of reward that growing your own fruit and vegetables brings) means this can be a really enjoyable month.

Oh, and don’t forget about Chelsea Flower Show if you’re in need of inspiration! We’ll be there with a garden based on goring your own food and sustainability, so check out all of the tips and ideas we’ll bring to you direct from the show. You can grab tickets here, be sure to come and say hello!

The weather in May

Shorts and T Shirts become more common as the weather really starts warming up in May. With it brings sunny days that may require some shading for young plants in direct sunlight (and don’t forget your own sunscreen too!).

Rainfall levels will generally be decreasing so make sure you’re watering adequately, ideally with water you’ve been collecting from those April Showers in your water butts.

Main things to accomplish

There’s tons of sowing and planting to get done this month, so we’re sure you’ll find something to grow that you (and more importantly) the family will want to eat.

You’ll want to really get into the habit of “Succession Sowing”. This means as you’re harvesting all of the lovely fruit and vegetables that you’ve grown, you’re then sowing more to replace them. This ensures a steady flow of food for you throughout the entire season, and also helps keep the soil nice and healthy.

Digging Deeper into jobs for this month

Prep

- "Earth Up" early Potatoes
- Remove any covers from Fruit trees
- Pick out weeds between rows of veg
Sowing & Planting

SOW INSIDE
Courgettes, Runner Beans, Squashes
SOW OUTSIDE
Beetroot, Cucumbers, Courgettes, Runner Beans, Squashes
PLANT OUTSIDE (Succession)
Lettuce, Carrots
PLANT OUTSIDE
Leeks, Celery, Winter Cabbages, Pumpkins, Tomato plants
Tending

- Mulch all Fruit Plants & Trees
- Water Brassicas before & after transporting to beds
- Protect Carrots from Carrot Fly & control other pests with traps
- Transplant Tomato seedlings to pots
- Lift & divide Mint
- Remove runners from Strawberry plants
Harvesting

- Harvest Lettuce, Peas, Radishes
- Forage Red Leaf Clover
- Harvest + Succession Sowing: Beetroot, Cabbage, Carrots, Spring Onions, Lettuce, Peas, Radishes
Eating

- Make Lettuce & Pea Soup
- Make Red Leaf Clover Tea
- Make Radish Kimchee

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