What to Sow in May
Runner Beans
 Scarlet Runner Beans
Beans: (Broad Bean, French Bean, Runner Bean). The most common bean used in the kitchen garden is the runner bean. Sow as instructed on the packet. A very good variety is “Scarlet Runner”. Beans sowed in May can be harvested in July/August. Pods must be picked before inside start to swell, if not the flower producing mechanism switches off and production will cease. Handy Hint: Sow a few extra seeds at the end of the row and use as transplants to fill any gaps. |
Beetroot
 Boltardy
Beetroot: Beetroot sown in May can be harvested in August/September or earlier as baby beets. Can be bought as seedlings to mature in July. Good varieties are “Boltardy” and “Red Ace”. Sow as instructed. Use as required. Handy Hint: To avoid splitting and woody taste water moderately every fortnight during dry spells. |
Cabbage
 Summer Cabbage
Cabbage (Summer): These varieties mature in Summer or Autumn and can be either round or pointed. The usual patterns is to sow outdoors in April, transplant in May and cut in August. Water if the weather is dry and apply a liquid feed when the heads start to mature. Handy Hint: With spring and summer cabbages harvest by cutting with a sharp knife close to the ground and then cut a half inch deep cross into the remaining stump. This will produce a second crop of small cabbages. |
Carrots
 St Valery
Carrots: Sow as instructed in May and begin lifting in August/September. There are two varieties of carrot: long root or short rooted. Long rooted are suitable for good, deep, rich soil and short rooted are more suited to poorer, stoner soil. For the long rooted, choose “ St. Valery” and for the shorter, choose “Early Nantes 2”. Handy Hints: Avoid bruising the foliage at any stage as this may attract the root destroying, carrot fly |
Cauliflower
 All Year Round
Cauliflower: good, deep, rich soil and regular watering are essential to produce good cauliflower. “All Year Round” is a good variety of summer cauliflower. Sow in early May, transplant out in June and harvest in August/September. Handy Hints: Sow at fortnightly intervals in May and early June for a longer harvesting period |
Lettuce
 Butterhead
Lettuce: Sow all types during May but be careful only to sow small quantities. Sow at fortnightly intervals for regular succession. |
Onions & Shallots From Sets
 Sturon
Onions & Shallots from Sets: A little late in May but nevertheless still worthwhile and ready for picking in August/September. Try “Sturon” o “Stuttgarter” varieties in onion sets |
Peas
 Senator
Peas: Sow a main crop variety in early May for an August crop and unless you have loads of room, pick a medium height pea such as “Senator”. Peas must be picked regularly when large enough and not be allowed mature |
Potatoes
 Golden Wonder
Potatoes: Pick a main crop variety such as “Kerr Pinks”, “Golden Wonder” or “Cara” and expect to harvest after 120 days. |
Radish
 Radish
Radish:Great for children to begin their gardening careers. Radishes are mainly trouble free and ready to harvest in about a month. |
Swede
 Marion
Swede: The approximate time between sowing and lifting Swede is 20-24 weeks and probably the best variety is “Marion”. |
Turnip
 Snowball
Turnip: Not to be mistaken for the more common Swede, the turnip, or table turnip, are smaller varieties and can be used raw in salads or boiled whole. They can also be sown in the Autumn and the tops used as greens in the spring. The appropriate time between sowing and lifting is 6-12 weeks. For white turnips sow “Snowball” and for yellow flesh sow “Golden Globe”. |
Scallion
 White Lisbon
Scallion: Scallions or salad onions are another good idea for the young gardener as they are trouble free and quick to grow. Sow as per the packet in short drills at 3 weekly intervals and pick as required. “White Lisbon” is the favourite of the salad varieties. |
Things to Remember
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