May

May

Fruit and vegetables

• Feed fruit trees and bushes
• Mulch around fruit trees
• Pile soil up around emerging potato shoots
• Plant out crops raised under cover, including any remaining potatoes
• Keep fleece handy to protect trees in blossom or young plants from frost
• Take potted strawberries into the greenhouse
• Look out for pests and diseases, and act on the first sign of attack or infection

Tip: Don't let dandenlions beat you!

Don’t let perennial weeds such as dandelions, dock, nettles and thistles get out of hand. Dig deeply around them to remove the entire root, before they have chance to flower and seed. As crops grow, it’s easy for weeds to pop up, hidden in the foliage around them. Dig out small weeds as soon as you see them to prevent them becoming big ones which will compete with your crops for moisture, nutrients and space! 

Greenhouse

• Open vents on warm days, but ensure you close them in the evening
• Put up shading in late May to prevent plants scorching and keep the temperature down
• Pot of plants regularly
• Water plants daily

Tip: Acclimatise youn plants

Moving plants straight from the greenhouse outside can be a big shock. Plants need to acclimatise to their new surroundings gradually. One way to do this is to place them outside somewhere sheltered during the day and bring them back inside at night. Fresh air and a gentle breeze strengthens the plants so they are ready for planting out at the end of the month.