May - an overview
May is a time when half hardy young shoots appear, it's important
to watch out for any late frosts with tender plants.
The haulm of the potato should be showing during this month, make
sure it is not"burnt" by late frosts. It will grow back
again, but it's worth avoiding if possible. A fleece or newspaper
can be put over in the evening which can help.
Continue
to sow crops such as carrot, beetroot, turnip, swede outdoors.
To get early crops as possible sow tender plants such as sweet
corn, courgettes, marrow, french beans, runner beans preferably
indoors in pots early May, ready for planting out in late May,
early June. Sow succession of broad bean and peas. Watch out for
late frosts and be prepared to cover any tender shoots. It is
worth putting a fleece or cloche out a week before you intend
to plant out tender plants as it will warm the ground up, also
means any annual weed seed will germinate which you can hoe off
before planting out which helps to keep the ground clear.
Now
is the time to make sure you weed regularly to keep on top of
the annual weeds that germinate. Pay particular attention to crops
such as onions which do not grow well with competition from weeds.
Be careful when weeding with a hoe as plants such as onions have
shallow roots and can be damaged by the hoe getting too near,
it's worth hoeing down the row and then hand picking the weeds
around onions.
Towards
the end of the month strawberry plants will be starting to ripen,
it is worth netting them to prevent birds eating the fruit.
If there has been little rain and the soil is drying out, concentrate
on watering the crops that will need it most. This is usually
seedlings and onions. Make sure you water in the evening and give
the ground a good soaking as little water will do more harm than
good as you encourage the plants to make shallow roots to get
to the water.
Greenhouse; plants such as tomato, peppers and cucumbers should
be growing well, check for any pests such as greenfly and whitefly.
Tomatoes will need supporting and side shoots will need pinching
out. To aid pollination shake the main stems daily.
Key dates:
If you have any advice or tips about gardening relating to
this month contact us and if suitable will add to the page - please
local to Haworth and the surrounding area only.
