May's Jobs For The Plot
With the promise of summer being just around the corner May is a busy month on the allotment. Sowing seeds outdoors can begin to really ramp up this month but keen gardeners should proceed with caution! With the unseasonably cold and wet start to the month some soil beds may still be too cold and early morning frosts are still a real threat.
Harvesting Crops In May
May marks the beginning of the Spring crop harvest and it's an exciting month to start seeing some produce.
The first of your baby turnips should be ready, they should be harvested while they are still young and small - don't discard the leaves, they are great in a stir fry!
Radishes may be ready if you took the plunge on planting seedlings in April, like the turnips they should be pulled up whilst young and eaten quickly.
Asparagus continues to be a favourite spring harvest crop for us, you should cut the spears just below the surface of the soil when they are no fatter than your thumb.
The last of the Spring cabbages may now be ready, and with some months until your summer varieties are ready make sure you enjoy them.
Sowing In May
It would be easy to get a little over-excited as we begin to feel the temperatures warm up, coupled with the bank holidays and extra time at the allotment sowing seeds might begin with a little too much haste.
Two issues we often see affecting keen gardeners this month are sowing too many seeds and not ensuring the soil is quite warm enough, add in the threat of early morning frost and it is possible to lose a large number of delicate seedlings.
Our advice is to slow it right down and carefully consider the forecast and other factors to give your seeds the best chance of germinating. Spacing seed sowing by a week or two and using smaller batches is a really good idea.
Varieties to sow in May;
Brussels, is essential for ensuring a Christmas Day feast! chillies and peppers can still be sown indoors or undercover. If you want a bumper crop of gauds and pumpkins this Autumn sow indoors this month ahead of planting out in June.
Garden Jobs for May
Weeds and bugs are the gardener's nemesis in May, the warmer weather will see them come back at relentless speed and factoring in regular time to keep your beds free will help in the long run.
Be wary of late spring frost, where you have decided t plant out delicate seedlings we advise taking the precaution of using cloches or cold frames to help protect against a surprise frost.
Keep an eye on and earth up potatoes to keep the tubers underground. If they are exposed to light and turn green they become poisonous.
If you have new summer fruiting Strawberry plants be sure to pick the flowers off preventing them from cropping in their first year.
Pest & Diseases to Look for in May
Fruits & Vegetables;
Net Strawberries to keep away birds, you can also deter slugs by laying straw around the base.
Avoid carrot flies laying eggs by protecting with a fleece or other barrier.
Keep an eye on Asparaguses for signs of asparagus beetles, make sure you pick off eggs before they hatch if you spot any.
See our polytunnels and cold frames here;
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Polytunnel 3m x 2m
Regular price £149.99 GBPRegular priceUnit price per
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3m Replacement Polytunnel cover - Metal Door
Regular price £69.99 GBPRegular priceUnit price per
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Large Polytunnel 6m x 3m
Regular price £229.99 GBPRegular priceUnit price per
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6m Replacement Polytunnel cover - Metal Door
Regular price £89.99 GBPRegular priceUnit price per
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Wooden Cold Frame
Regular price £129.99 GBPRegular priceUnit price per
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Small Cold Frame Greenhouse
Regular price £44.99 GBPRegular priceUnit price per£52.99 GBPSale price £44.99 GBP
Sale -
Raised Trough Planter
Regular price £44.99 GBPRegular priceUnit price per£52.99 GBPSale price £44.99 GBP
Sale -
Large Vegetable Planter
Regular price £99.99 GBPRegular priceUnit price per£129.99 GBPSale price £99.99 GBP
Sale
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Chicken cages and coops
Excellent product amd service . Product design and quality are excellent , very fast delivery and easy transaction . Highly recommended .
Ian Tilley
Small Outdoor Galvanised Cage - Walk In Chicken Run
Bike Cover
It was easy to put together and I now have a Dry Mobility scooter and it arrived on time as you stated on the Delivery E Mail so Thank you its Fantastic
Michael Campbell
Folding Motorcycle Cover - BH01
Great product
I have one of these set up in an extremely wet and windy moorland area in Cornwall; it stands up to the elements very well, with the frame being several years old now and still sturdy.
I find the covers to last a year before going brittle and tearing, but the replacement cover is very well priced and simple to fit. I expect the cover will last even longer this time with a UV protection.
Really impressed with these trike homes and will continue to buy replacement covers to house my classic mini.
Jake R
Trike Cover - Replacement Cover - BH03
Fantastic
Really love the aviary. Easy to put together and good quality for the price.
Christine Shakespeare
Hexagonal Bird Aviary - AV02
i have not put it up yet but know that its a quality product thanks
good quality
james
3m Replacement Polytunnel cover - Metal Door
Our original cover lasted longer than expected on a windy slope.
The replacement cover came in quick time, was easy to install, and we now have a tunnel like new. Brilliant service. Thank you.
Paul Harvey
3m Replacement Polytunnel cover - Metal Door
Polytunnel metal door 3x6 m
Brilliant tunnel strong great for hiding in the rain🥳 but even better for growing plants in soil. In the five years since I last replaced the cover the soil level has risen about 5” in the beds. Easy to fit cover I’ve used zip ties on bottom rail to hold cover down with the ties through it. Bit difficult tightening up bolts on rails after the cover is on so before is better. I’m using the 3 bed system with paths down the sides enjoy 😊
Patricia Naylor
6m Replacement Polytunnel cover - Metal Door
That is great, thank you.
That is great quality, thank you the fast delivery to Ireland.
Thank you.
Marton Galambos
Trike Cover - Replacement Cover - BH03
Ideal polytunnel
I bought this to replace a different make of poly tunnel that had not stood up to the hill side allotment weather . This tunnel is far superior, really sturdy frame easily put together ( although some of the instructions were vague ) . It says it all that this was recommended to me by fellow allotment holders who have had this make for years . Great investment
Anne Lowe
Polytunnel 3m x 2m
Large vegetable planter
Absolutely thrilled with my planter! Very well made & very sturdy, having the central support. I also chose this one for its size, lining & upright support. Can’t wait to start growing veg!
Julie McGovern
Large Vegetable Planter
Aviary
Looks good customer service superb very helpful regarding delivery as we had an appointment for the day it should have been delivered so very kind sorted it for us
Pauline Smart
Hexagonal Bird Aviary - AV02
Excellent delivery great price easy to assemble looks great would recommend and I be buying again
Vicki
Medium Chicken Coop - Windsor
