🌼 May – what to sow and plant

What to sow or plant in May

If the weather is very mild, you can sow dwarf French beans and sweetcorn directly outside — but give them a bit of protection under cloches or fleece to help them along.
Sow cabbages, cauliflowers, sprouts and broccoli — they enjoy the lengthening days.
Brussels sprouts should be sown this month if you want them ready for the end of the year. After May, they tend to run late.
Courgettes, pumpkins and other squashes can be sown now; they grow quickly once the soil warms.
Florence fennel and kohl rabi can be sown for crisp, flavourful harvests later in the season.
Leafy vegetables (lettuce, spinach, chard) will appreciate the improving light levels.
Peas, melons, and sweetcorn can all be sown now — melons especially benefit from warmth, so choose a sheltered spot.
Towards the end of May, when frosts are unlikely, you can plant out summer bedding for instant colour.

Beware late frosts — they can still catch you out. Keep fleece handy for tender plants.
Earth up potatoes, covering the stems to protect them from light and encourage more tubers. Plant any remaining seed potatoes now.
Thin out crops to give seedlings room to grow strong and healthy.
Harvest rhubarb and early lettuce — both are at their best this month.
Start removing tomato side shoots to encourage strong, upright plants and better fruiting.
Water early or late in the day to reduce evaporation and help plants make the most of the moisture.
Hoe weeds regularly — little and often keeps them under control before they take hold.
Mow lawns weekly, adjusting the height depending on growth. A slightly higher cut helps lawns cope with dry spells.