May
Things to do in May
Protect plans from night frost
Sow and plant out tender vegetables at the end of the month
Protect crops from carrot fly
Ventilate greenhouses
Take cuttings from herbaceous perennials
Protect young plants from slugs
Thin out annuals and vegetables that were sown outdoors earlier in the year
From “Gardening Through the Year” by Ian Spence
Vegetables and Herbs
Harvest early crops such as radishes and salad leaves
Sow ridge cucumbers for planting out at the beginning of June
Continue successional sowing of beetroot, cabbage, carrots, salad-onions, lettuce, peas, broad beans, radishes, and turnips
Leeks sown earlier can be planted out if not done last month
Plant out celery
Globe artichokes sown earlier under cover can be planted out towards the end of the month
Plant out marrows and courgettes at the end of the month
Direct-sow runner beans, French beans, and sweetcorn
Transplant Brussel sprouts and other winter brassicas to their cropping position
Sow chard and leaf beet
Pinch out the tops of broad beans when they flower to discourage blackfly
Protect carrots from carrot fly
Hoe regularly to keep down weeds
Earth up early potatoes, drawing a little soil up over emerging shoots
Lift and divide mint
From “Gardening Through the Year” by Ian Spence