May is a busy month for seed sowing. Now is the time to start filling up your pots, beds and greenhouses.
Vegetables
Globe artichokes
A perennial vegetable (see our blog post for more) – sow them now and you’ll be eating tasty artichokes for years to come!
Asparagus
Another perennial veg, you will need patience and space for these as they need a few years to get going before you get a full harvest.
Brassicas
Lots of brassicas can be sown direct where you want them to grow, so we’ve put together a handy list. Just don’t forget to net them or you’ll be sharing them with the local wildlife!
- Beet leaves
- Cauliflower
- Cabbages
- Swedes
- Kale
- Kohlrabi
- Broccoli rabe
- Purple sprouting broccoli
Root vegetables
There’s also a pretty long list of root veg you can get in the ground in May.
- Radish
- Beetroot
- Parsnips
- Turnips
- Carrots
- Mooli
- Salsify
Herbs
Lots of herbs can be sown now, including basil, parsley, coriander and mint
Salad leaves
Lettuce, rocket, spinach and other salad and leafy veg can be sown straight out, although like brassicas they’ll need to be netted to stop them being munched.
Sweetcorn
Sweetcorn needs warmth to germinate, a windowsill indoors or a heated greenhouse is perfect. Once they have sprouted they can go outside, ideally into a greenhouse or cold frame so the sudden temperature change doesn’t stunt their growth.
Beans
Runner beans and French beans can be sown outdoors now.
Peas
Peas and mange tout can also go straight into the ground in May.
Squashes
Another group that can be sown direct outside now, including butternut squash, patty pan squash, spaghetti squash and pumpkins.
Courgettes
Sow them in a pot or get them straight in the ground.
Cucumbers
Some varieties can be grown outside, but most do best in a greenhouse or polytunnel.
Melons
If you have a nice warm polytunnel, or greenhouse with lots of room, you can grow your own melons.
Flowers
There are lots of pretty annuals you can sow in May.
Wildflower mixes
Now is the perfect time to sow wildflower seed. They do great in flower beds or even in a pot for your own mini meadow.
Sunflowers
Helianthus annuus
Grow these stately flowers and the birds with thank you for the tasty seeds.
Zinnias
Zinnia elegans
These annuals can be started off in pots or seed trays now.
Honeywort
Cerinthe major ‘Purpurascens’
Another annual, these can straight in the ground where you want them to grow.
Borage
Borago offinicalis
Borage fills up with nectar every two minutes, so it is very popular with hungry pollinators. The flowers are also edible. Sow where you want them to flower.
Love Lies Bleeding
Amaranthus caudatus
An intense sounding name for an intense looking plant. They can get large but look very beautiful.
Morning glory
Ipomoea tricolor
An annual climber, you have probably seen the wild version, also known as bindweed, but there are lots of pretty varieties in different colours that won’t try to take over your garden.
Sweet peas
Lathyrus odoratus
It’s your last chance to sow sweet peas for flowers this year.
Marigolds
Calendula
A perfect companion plant that looks good too.
Nasturtium
Tropaeolum majus
Beautiful and edible, and like calendula it’s good friends with lots of veg. See our blog post on companion planting for more ideas.
