May

Planting Pea Seedlings: Building a Safe Haven

As you prepare to plant out your precious pea seedlings, remember that these delicate green shoots need a sturdy structure to climb. Whether you opt for a traditional pea gate, trusty pea-sticks, or a more modern obelisk or cane arrangement, providing support is crucial for their upward journey. This support not only prevents the plants from sprawling on the ground but also encourages optimal air circulation, reducing the risk of disease.

To safeguard your peas from feathered foes like pigeons, it's a wise move to encircle your pea patch with protective netting or fleece. These vigilant barriers act as a deterrent, ensuring that your tender pea plants remain untouched and free to thrive. With a little care and the right support system, your pea patch will soon be teeming with flourishing vines and the promise of a bountiful pea harvest.

Nourishing Strawberry Plants for Abundant Harvests

As your strawberry plants burst into bloom, now is the perfect time to provide them with the nourishment they need for a prolific fruiting season. A well-balanced strawberry fertiliser, rich in nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, can work wonders in promoting vigorous flowering and fruit development. Gently apply the fertiliser around the base of each plant, taking care not to touch the delicate blossoms.

It's worth noting that the timing of this feeding is especially vital for different strawberry varieties. Day-neutral strawberries like 'Toscana' will continue to bear fruit until the first frost, ensuring an extended harvest season, with several fruit ready each day. On the other hand, traditional 'June-bearers' such as 'Cambridge Favourite' typically yield a concentrated bumper crop in June and early July, perfect to make a big batch of jam.

By tending to the nutritional needs of your strawberry plants at this crucial stage, you're setting the stage for a bumper harvest of sweet, juicy berries that will delight your taste buds throughout the season.

Sowing Runner Beans for a Vertical Abundance

Runner beans, with their vibrant flowers and bountiful pods, are a popular choice for gardeners seeking a vertical gardening spectacle. You can sow these beans directly into the soil, encircling a sturdy obelisk or a series of canes that will support their vigorous growth. Planting them around these vertical structures not only saves space but also enhances the aesthetics of your garden.

For those facing space constraints, varieties like 'Jackpot Mix' offer a creative solution. These compact runner beans can thrive in hanging baskets or containers, making them ideal for patios or balconies. This versatility allows you to enjoy homegrown beans, even if you have limited garden space.

If your garden soil isn't quite ready for sowing when the time comes, consider starting runner bean seeds in modules in an unheated greenhouse. Once the seedlings are robust and the soil conditions are suitable, transplant them into their designated spots.

Transitioning Citrus Plants to the Great Outdoors

As the seasons change and the temperatures begin to rise, it's time to bid farewell to your citrus plants' winter haven in the unheated lean-to. They've spent the colder months protected from frost and chilly winds, but now it's time for a change of scenery. This move coincides with the need for space as you prepare to welcome the lush foliage of tomato plants into the lean-to.

However, it's essential to keep a watchful eye on the weather forecast, especially during the unpredictable early spring. Late frosts can pose a risk to your beloved citrus trees, which are still acclimating to the outdoor environment. To safeguard them from potential frost damage, have a double layer of fleece on standby. If frost is in the forecast, wrap your citrus trees snugly in the fleece to provide that extra layer of protection until the risk has passed.

With careful attention and a touch of vigilance, your citrus plants will thrive as they transition to their outdoor home, soaking up the sunshine and warmth of the growing season ahead.

Tomato Plants: Greenhouse Bound

It's that exciting time of year when your young tomato plants are ready to leave the comfort of your indoor nursery and move to the unheated greenhouse. As they make this transition, it's essential to keep a few things in mind. 

In most parts of the UK, mid-May is an ideal time for this move, as the threat of frost diminishes. However, always be prepared for unexpected weather fluctuations. Having a small heater on standby can provide a buffer against any plummeting temperatures, ensuring your tomato plants stay snug and warm.

Once your tomato plants settle into their new home, you may notice a curious change in their leaves. Cooler temperatures, especially during the night, can cause their foliage to take on a slight blue or purple hue. Don't fret – this is a natural response to the chillier environment and nothing to be concerned about. As the days warm up, your tomato plants will adapt and flourish.

Super-Sweet Sweetcorn: A Head Start for a Tasty Harvest

If you're eager to enjoy the delectable taste of sweetcorn before the summer's end, it's time to give your crop a head start. Most modern super-sweet sweetcorn varieties aren't too keen on chilly soil, which is why starting them in modules is a smart strategy for early harvests.

Begin by sowing your sweetcorn seeds in modules indoors, where you can control the temperature and ensure a cosy environment for germination. As these young plants grow, transfer them to an unheated greenhouse to continue their development. If you don't have a greenhouse, no worries – simply sow your seeds in the third week of May and nurture them until they're large enough to handle.

When planting sweetcorn, consider a grid formation rather than rows. Why? Sweetcorn relies on wind pollination, so the pollen needs to be carried around the plants. Unlike bees, the wind plays a pivotal role in ensuring successful pollination.

Here's a top tip for a bumper crop: during July and August when your sweetcorn is in full flowering glory, give the plants a gentle shake each time you pass by. This simple act helps distribute the pollen, ensuring that each cob fills out beautifully and delivers that mouthwatering, sweet flavour you've been eagerly anticipating.

Tomato Hanging Baskets: A Vertical Garden Delight

When it comes to efficient gardening, tomato hanging baskets are a space-saving revelation. Whether you're tending to a compact greenhouse or simply looking to maximise your garden's potential, these hanging baskets offer a creative solution. 

Opt for a generously sized 30x20cm basket, which can comfortably accommodate three tomato plants. One of my favourites to grow is  'Rainbow Drops' Mix. Why? Well, it allows you to grow an array of tomato colours, from vibrant red to sunny yellow and even luscious orange, all in a single basket. The result is not only visually striking but also delicious.

Here's a key tip: resist the urge to move your tomato hanging baskets outdoors too early. Wait until mid/late June when the weather is consistently warm and frost is no longer a threat. Once they're outside, ensure that you keep these baskets well-watered. Tomatoes are thirsty plants, and a consistent water supply will contribute to healthy growth and bountiful harvests. 

Potting on Cucumber Plants for a Bountiful Harvest

As your cucumber plants begin to outgrow their current pots, it's time to consider potting them into their final containers, ensuring they have the space they need to flourish. When it comes to container size, a minimum width of 25cm is essential to accommodate their roots and provide stability.

Cucumbers can be grown in various ways to suit your gardening space. For those with a greenhouse, you can plant them in the border and train the vines up netting, making efficient use of your available space. Alternatively, you can opt for outdoor varieties, like the ridge cucumber. However, exercise patience when planting them outside; it's best to wait until June when the risk of frost has passed.

Among the many cucumber varieties, 'Quick Snack' is a popular choice for those looking for compact plants that only reach around 60cm in height, yet produce an abundance of small, seedless cucumbers—a perfect snack-sized treat. 'Party Time' and 'Merlin' are also excellent options for greenhouse cultivation, as they yield smaller-sized fruits ideal for single servings.

For those venturing into outdoor cucumber cultivation, 'Marketmore' is a reliable choice known for its resilience and dependable crop production. 

Sowing Colourful Dwarf French Beans for Compact Delights

In late May, or even earlier if you've started them in modules, it's the perfect time to sow dwarf French beans directly into the ground. These delightful beans not only offer fantastic flavour but also come in an array of vibrant colours, including yellow and purple, in addition to the traditional green pods.

What makes dwarf French beans particularly appealing to gardeners is their compact nature, with most plants reaching a maximum height of around 50cm. This makes them suitable for a wide range of growing spaces, from containers and window boxes to raised beds. 

For a visually striking and tasty display, consider planting all three colours together, creating a vibrant and diverse bean patch that's as visually appealing as it is delicious. With their shorter stature and colourful pods, dwarf French beans are a wonderful addition to any garden or balcony, providing a bountiful harvest and a splash of colour to brighten your outdoor space.