May brings the most beautiful bluebells and an exciting splash of colour from Iris. The garden beckons, its fresh and lush growth is in abundance, with birds and insects fluttering around. I am constantly on a slug watch protecting my little seedlings and get a thrill when I see the first bumble bee looking for food.
* Top tip – Keep earthing up potatoes and keep sowing successional salad crops of radish, lettuce, and Spring onions. Why not try some rocket to add flavour and spice to summer salads.
May Jobs
- Runner beans – These are prolific, and the flowers are great for pollinators. Usually, grown-up cane wigwams in a large 50cm container or in open soil rows. If growing in rows then the trench 30cm deep should be pre-prepared with layers of goodness like cardboard, newspaper and veg peelings and back filled. Start the seeds (one per pot) in 8cm pots indoors or greenhouse in early May, you can sow direct to soil in June with canes to support and 22cm apart. I find it easier to use wigwams of canes. Regularly water in dry weather and apply an occasion liquid tomato feed. Varieties Scarlet Emperor, Painted Lady, Red Rum, Polestar.
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Peas – Sow seeds directly into a trench 8cm apart in staggered rows, alternatively start in a seed tray or ideally a gutter to transplant after frosts. Some varieties don’t need supporting others may need small twig support, taller varieties will need netting or twine attached to firm stakes. They can be grown in deep containers and successionally until June. When the pods are first visible start to feed with liquid tomato feed. Harvest peas quickly as they lose their sweetness after being picked. There are round, sugar snap or mangetout varieties: Half Pint are great for containers, Early Onward, Kelvedon Wonder and Meteor.
- French beans – There are dwarf and climbing varieties (grown like runner beans). Smaller dwarf French beans can be easily grown in containers. Seeds can be started in 8cm pots inside first as they are not frost-hardy. Successional planting until June or July can achieve crops in October.
Dwarf varieties include Purple Teepee, Sonesta, Primavera
* Top tip – Birds love newly sown peas, protect young seedlings under netting or cloches or use spikey twigs to deter.
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Turnips/Swedes – Both are part of the Brassica family and need firm, non-acidic soil. Sow them where they are to grow about 1-2cm deep and thin out later to 10cm apart. They grow fast so thinning is essential They are usually harvested November to December. Swedes can be started in seed trays and transplanted. Be sure to transplant the whole module to avoid root disturbance.
- Turnips include Purple-Top White, White Lady, Royal Crown
- Swedes include Brora, Gowrie, Helenor
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Autumn Cauliflowers and Purple Sprouting broccoli – Part of the brassica family they have similar needs but must have space in their final growing site. Use multipurpose compost to sow seeds individually in modular trays to minimise root disturbance in transplanting, sow the seeds about 1cm deep, then keep at 12–22°C. Autumn varieties include:
Autumn Cauliflowers: Pavilion, Autumn Giant, Gypsy, Purple Graffiti
Purple Sprouting broccoli – Purple Rain, Claret F1 Cardinal, Early Purple
Why not try something unusual and sow some unusual vegetables such as kohl rabi, scorzonera, salsify or chicory.
* Top tip – Don’t forget to protect your hands when sowing and planting seeds. Available in 5 exquisite designs including stylish Red Tweed, Grey Tweed, Artisan, Berry, & Oak Leaf Poppy. For some stylish comfortable and durable gardening gloves Visit My Shop or click on the picture for different coloured garden gloves – A perfect gift to protect your hands.
Edible Flowers
Benefits: flowers are nutritious, contain potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that can support your health. They can be eaten raw, cooked, or fried and decorate desserts or added to summer drinks or teas. The RHS identify specific flowers and herbs to help brighten your culinary delights. Edible flowers also offer anti-inflammatory, vitamin C properties and some like chamomile helps relieves headaches.
Borage Flowers look wonderful in ice cubes, sweet violets are perfect cake decorations, and nasturtium adds flavour and colour to salads.
