the end of SPRING and the start of SUMMER!
keep up with mowing, weeding and hoeing .... and watering
keep up with mowing, weeding and hoeing .... and watering
MAY
the end of SPRING and the start of SUMMER!
keep up with mowing, weeding, hoeing .... and watering
early sowings can now be planted outside after a period of hardening off
watch out for late frosts - protect tender plants - harden off
the end of SPRING and the start of SUMMER!
keep up with mowing, weeding, hoeing .... and watering
early sowings can now be planted outside after a period of hardening off
watch out for late frosts - protect tender plants - harden off
WHAT IS 'HARDENING OFF'?
Gardeners World Magazine says:
Towards the end of May, all risk of frost has passed in most areas of the country, and it's therefore safe to put tender plants outside. But if you take them straight outside from a warm greenhouse, cool night temperatures can still scorch leaves and winds may tear them.
So, by gradually getting plants used to outside temperatures by putting them out during the day, then protecting them at night, you can help acclimatise them to the new environment. Do this over a week to a fortnight, and use a max-min thermometer to monitor temperatures.
OLD WIVES TALE SAYS ...
you should be safe from frost AFTER the last full moon in May!
Gardeners World Magazine says:
Towards the end of May, all risk of frost has passed in most areas of the country, and it's therefore safe to put tender plants outside. But if you take them straight outside from a warm greenhouse, cool night temperatures can still scorch leaves and winds may tear them.
So, by gradually getting plants used to outside temperatures by putting them out during the day, then protecting them at night, you can help acclimatise them to the new environment. Do this over a week to a fortnight, and use a max-min thermometer to monitor temperatures.
OLD WIVES TALE SAYS ...
you should be safe from frost AFTER the last full moon in May!
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JOBS TO DO
protect outdoor sowings with fleece until all risk of frost is gone earth up potatoes thin out seedlings like beetroot and carrots supports for climbing beans and sweet peas |
SOW
beetroot sweetcorn cucumber sprouting broccoli carrots courgettes rocket french & runner beans basil kohlrabi melon |
PLANT OUTSIDE
zinnia nasturtium eucomis nerine last chance to plant strawberry runners for a crop this year celeriac courgettes squashes pumpkins marrows leeks |
FLOWERS TO PLANT IN MAY
dill cornflowers sunflowers scabious zinnias bishops flower verbena bonariensis nasturtiums |
START HARVESTING ...
lettuce, spring onions, broccoli, cabbage, spinach, rhubarb, beetroot, radish, peas, asparagus
lettuce, spring onions, broccoli, cabbage, spinach, rhubarb, beetroot, radish, peas, asparagus
TIP for PEONIES - extend the enjoyment of cut flowers -
you can pick stems and store wrapped in newspaper in the fridge for a couple of weeks to delay opening!
you can pick stems and store wrapped in newspaper in the fridge for a couple of weeks to delay opening!