Grow Your Own In May

In my “Grow Your Own month-by-month” series I will share with you a handy to do list, a list of fruits and vegetables you can harvest and a list of fruits and vegetables you can plant for that specific month.

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WHAT TO DO IN YOUR KITCHEN GARDEN IN MAY

I think May is one of the most exciting (and busy) months in the kitchen garden. It’s where planting is in full swing and some plants (like herbs) will already be flowering.

JOBS LIST

Build tripods and supports for climbing plants like beans and peas so that they have something to grow up
Weed your beds so that there are no pesky plants competing with your veggies for water and nutrition as they grow
Get planting
Water your garden regularly – your seedlings need to be well watered (the soil should be moist)
Try to prevent pests like slugs using traps or grit around the base, you can also put netting over plants to keep pigeons and other birds at bay. Squirrels may also be determined to dig up your new plants if you don’t scare them away

PLANT NOW

In May you can almost all of your summer fruit and vegetables but there are few that need a little bit of care.

Those fruits and vegetables that thrive in a hot sunny environment (like tomatoes, aubergines, chillies and peppers) will need to stay in a greenhouse or a sunny spot indoors.

Keep delicate crops like lettuce and herbs in areas of partial shade so that the harsh sun doesn’t burn them.

HARVEST NOW

The only down side to May is that you have probably already harvested and eaten all of the wonderful veggies that grew over the winter. But, in may herbs really begin to flourish.