This May is somewhat different to any we have experienced, and it seems that many are doubling down on gardening. At Propagation Place we have had many beginner gardeners buying their first boxes of plants which fills us with joy knowing so many people are getting green fingered in this incredibly challenging time.
May is a traditionally the start of Summer in the UK according to the Celtic calendar and it’s certainly a time of new growth and regeneration. All of our veggies start growing in earnest and plants are blossoming everywhere you look. The weather has been atrocious, we are all sick of how cold it is, but fingers crossed it will warm up soon!
However you are spending your May, we have a few suggestions of how you can keep your gardens thriving and healthy as part of your daily exercise.
It’s planting out time
May is the month when we start planting out with gusto, and it’s important to make sure your seedlings have been hardened off before they go into the ground. Although we have missed most of the cold snaps, it’s still possible that we could see a late frost! Protect them with fleece if you are worried, better safe than sorry!
Hardening off seedlings
Move them outside during the day and back in at night to get them used to the outdoor weather. Plant them out when you’re sure there is no frost due, or prepare to cover them with fleece if some sudden cold weather arrives.
Watering time
It’s getting warm enough to start thoroughly and regularly watering your plants, alothough currently the rain is doing most of the work. Plants need to be kept moist, especially the youngsters.
What you can plant out
Here are a few things that should be ready to go out into the garden in May:
- The last of your seed potatoes
- Brussels sprouts, cabbages and Cauliflowers
- Celery
- Celeriac
- Florence Fennel
- Kohlrabi
- Courgettes/Squahes
- Herbs
- Leeks
- Strawberries
- Sweetcorn
What you can harvest
You could have a few things that can be harvested in May including:
- Asparagus
- Turnips
- Spicy salad leaves (mustards and mizunas)
- Chard
- Rhubarb
- Radishes
- Spinach
- Globe artichokes – while they are small and tasty!
What you can do in your container or patio garden
There are plenty of things to do if you are growing in pots! Here are a few suggestions of what to focus on this month:
- Potting up your seedlings into larger containers (see the ‘what to plant out’ list above for suggestions)
- Weed your containers and work some plant food into the compost – some well rotted animal manure is a great addition, especially for your squashes. Try sourcing from a city farm or horse riding centre or even a wildlife park. Otherwise get a good organic plant food or a homemade compost.
- Put up supports for your peas and beans! You can use bamboo sticks, hazel or even a frame made from mesh or wire.
May pests and diseases
Here are the critters you want to be watching out for in May:
- Slugs and snails – they start coming for your delicious seedlings so try and do a daily patrol and remove them. You can use copper tape around pots as they won’t cross it. If you are comfortable with eliminating the slugs then organic slug pellets can be placed at the base of plants. Some people get creative and make traps using beer… and others would rather drink it themselves!
- Flea beetle – look out for these especially on the leaves of brassica seedlings, radishes and rocket. Keep your plants well watered to help them remain vigorous and fend of these pesky critters
- Pigeons – another snack attack incoming! Pigeons love a bit of greenery, as well as a strawberry or two. We can’t blame them but we probably don’t always feel like sharing. The best way to protect from these flappers is using a net over your crop
In conclusion
There is plenty to keep you busy through May! Please comment below and let us know what you’re doing in your garden this month!
