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Myes, the month for gardening, but be aware that there may be late frosts in places for a few more weeks. However, this month is the time to harvest early peas and beans. The true taste of British spring. Our Basque peas will be later in the year, but their shoots are showing well.
The plot is being weeded. I’m just waiting a few more weeks for a full summer sowing (or so I tell myself as I tuck in some hardier lettuces).
May is the month to put cabbage, cauliflower, cucumbers outside. It’s time to plant your groundcover pumpkin seedlings, but make sure to harden them off first. Also protect from cooler evenings. We may wait a while, though it goes against my nature. Fortunately, Howard is more cautious than I am.
We will soon be planting our sweet peas (mostly highly flavored Spencer), from Roger Parsons seed. The propagators have been out for a few weeks with the covers off and now we need them for corn.
We will sow more Thai red maize – grown in blocks rather than rows for good germination. And Howard found preserved Painted Mountain corn, which we also started in trays. Still the most beautiful crop we’ve ever grown, like opening birthday presents.
A few scattered self-grown seedlings tell us that it is almost time to grow the new amaranth from Amazing seed library. Soon it’s time to sow watercress and dill for a taste of Scandinavian summer.
We will also sow the first row of coriander, but that too will wait until the end of the month when the sun will rise before 5am and set shortly after nine. More opportunity to perhaps get in an hour of gardening before or after work or just make the most of a late long weekend.
Good breeding and happy May days. But now what are your garden plans?
after the promotion of the newsletter
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