By Benedict Vanheems
4 May 2024
Spring is in full swing, and the garden is alive with activity! From planting summer crops to tending early harvests, May offers a chance to set the stage for a fruitful season ahead. Here are 10 essential gardening tasks to focus on this month:
1. Hill Up Potatoes
The lush green foliage of potatoes is a summer hallmark, but keeping developing tubers covered is critical to prevent them from turning green and toxic. For determinate potatoes, mulch with grass clippings or other organic matter. For indeterminate varieties, hill soil around the base to form ridges, creating space for additional tubers. Repeat in a few weeks or add more mulch for optimal growth.
2. Support Fava Beans
Fava beans often support each other when grown in blocks, but edge plants can flop, risking broken stems and rotting pods. Push canes into the corners and sides of the block, tying horizontal strings at 12-inch intervals to keep plants upright. Pinch off the growing tips after flowering to deter aphids and enjoy these tender tips sautéed or in salads.
3. Check for Pests
Spring is prime time for pests like aphids, whiteflies, and flea beetles. Inspect plants regularly and act early: hand-pick caterpillars, blast aphids with water, and keep plants well-watered for resilience. Use row covers to protect susceptible crops like carrots from carrot flies and radishes from flea beetles.
4. Clear Overwintered Crops
Bid farewell to tired winter crops like broccoli and Brussels sprouts, composting their remains. Chop thick stems to speed up decomposition. Replace them with summer crops like zucchini, paired with colorful nasturtiums to attract pollinators.
5. Order Plants
Running behind? Ordering young plants is a time-saving solution. Unpack and inspect them immediately for pests, then water thoroughly. Plant them in their final positions or pot them up temporarily if weather conditions aren’t yet ideal.
6. Plant a Straw Bale Bed
Straw bales make excellent raised beds, offering a convenient height for tending crops and excellent moisture retention. Condition the bales early to prepare them for planting, and enjoy their ease of use throughout the season.
7. Plant Zucchini
Get zucchini into fertile, compost-enriched soil. Space them well—they grow fast and large! Trap water near the roots by creating a levee of soil around each plant. Acclimatize seedlings gradually to outdoor conditions before planting.
8. Harvest Salad Crops
May is prime time to start enjoying fresh salads. Harvest leaves when they’re big enough, and sow seeds every few weeks to keep the harvest going. Protect young crops from slugs by keeping surrounding areas clear and using beer traps or other deterrents.
9. Stay on Top of Weeds
A weekly hoeing session in warm, dry weather keeps weeds under control. Sharpen your hoe regularly for effortless cutting, and hand-weed in tight spaces. Diligent spring weeding ensures a less stressful summer garden.
10. Sow Sweet Corn
Sweet corn thrives when started indoors or directly sown into warm soil. Use plug trays or pots to give your seeds a head start if the weather is cool. Dream of buttery, peppered cobs, and look forward to indulging in this summer favorite!
By staying proactive with these tasks, you’ll keep your garden thriving and ready for the season’s rewards. What are your must-do May gardening tips? Let us know in the comments!
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