Monday 9 June 2014

Gardening in May

In May days are longer, temperatures are higher and with luck there’ll be enough warm sunshine to act as a real foretaste of summer. It’s the month to begin sewing, planting and harvesting.

Here are some top growing tips from Hill Side Herbs for May.
Harvest asparagus, baby globe artichokes and turnips, fresh "green" garlic and new season Oriental salad leaves
Sew outdoors if the weather is mild, and indoors or under cover if it’s been a late spring
Harden off seedlings and start planting them out once the soil become warm enough
Plant the last of your seed potatoes
Protect tender plants against sudden, late frosts. Keep an eye on the weather and be ready with cloches, fleece and even newspapers
Weed regularly and thoroughly, and keep young plants well watered
Net fruit brushes to protect them from birds

*Asparagus Spears are pushing up through the soil and should be ready for eating!

Here is a list of 14 vegetables and salads you can harvest in May:
Spring Cauliflowers
Lettuces
Turnips
Chop Suey greens
Oriental Leaves
Radishes
Spinach
Garlic
Swish Chard/Spinach Beet
Asparagus
Rhubarb
Spring Onions
Globe Artichokes
Spring Cabbages

Sow your seeds in May!

Sadly not all seeds are sown at the right time and often the whole lot are sewn at once! Sew a feed seeds every few weeks, this will maximise your success and spread out your harvest.


Vegetable seeds to sow outdoors undercover:
Beetroot
Corn Salad
Cucumbers
French Beans
Runner Beans
Sweetcorn
*Cabbages, Cauliflowers, Brussels Sprouts, and Broccoli are probably best being sewing by the end of may if you want them ready by the end of the year! Chillies, Peppers and cucumbers are best to be grown indoors still.


Vegetable seeds to sow outdoors:
Beetroot
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbages
Calabrese
Carrots
Cauliflowers
Chicory
Florence Fennel
French Beans
Kale
Kohl Rabi
Land Cress
Lettuces
Oriental Leaves
Peas
Radishes
Rocket
Runner Beans
Salad Leaves
Spinach
Spring Onions
Broccoli
Summer Purslane
Swedes
Swish Chard/Spinach Beet
Turnips

Vegetables to sow indoors:
Cabbages
Cauliflowers
Chicory
Chillies and Peppers
Courgettes and summer Squashes
Endive
French Beans
Gherkins
Kale
Marrows
Pumpkin and winter Squashes
Runner Beans
Sprouting Broccoli
You can plant all of these outdoors.


Fruit to plant outdoors:
Cape Gooseberries
Cranberries
Strawberries

JOBS FOR MAY:
Harden off and plant out seedlings, Water seeds and seedlings, Weed regularly, Protect plants against frost…

1 Move seedlings grown under cover from outdoors in the day time

2 Water seedlings regularly, early mornings and evenings are the best times

3 Weed as often as you can

4 Thin out seedlings ruthlessly

5 Protect marrow plants over night

6 Support broad beans with strong twine between canes

7 Earth up rows of potato plants

8 Cover strawberry plants with cloches overnight for an early crop, remove them during the day

9 Reduce the number of raspberry canes on your rows, prune out less vigorous shoots to allow in light and air

*Watch out for flea beetle, slugs, snails and pigeons. Net your strawberry plants to keeps birds and slugs away. Lay straw around the base to deter slugs.

We are extremely interested in seeing your gardens, vegetables plots and plants so get sending in your pictures! We would like to read some of your stories and any good ideas you have for recipies!! Send them in via our facebook page or twitter!
You will find us at:

Hillside Herbs

23 Jasmine Rd,

Kates Hill

Dudley

DY2 7NL

01384 816710/ Jenny Cadman 07702820175


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