It’s time to think about what seeds to sow in May. The days are getting longer and the soil is getting warmer, so you are able to direct sow a lot more without cloche. I still like to sow as much as I can indoors and plant out when they are big and strong so they are better prepared against slug and snail attacks! Sowing seeds in May is one of my favourite spring gardening jobs!
I’ve tried to include vegetables and flower seeds. Flowers are important in any garden and vegetable patch, so do think about what flowers to grow in your vegetable garden!
What seeds to sow in May INDOORS
When thinking about what seeds to sow in May indoors, you should consider your space. A greenhouse or conservatory is great, but if all you have is windowsill space, maybe you could begin to consider direct sowing. Here’s what seeds to sow in May indoors:
- Beans- French beans, runner beans!
- Courgette
- Cucumber
- Pumpkins and Squashes
- Lettuce
- Sweetcorn
I’ve included lettuce and courgette as, though they can be sown directly outdoors, slugs and snails LOVE them and so its best to grow them bigger before exposing them to attack!
What seeds to sow in May OUTDOORS
The soil is warmer now, so direct sowing is possible for lots of seeds. Here’s what to sow directly outdoors in May:
- Herbs
- Carrots
- Brussel sprouts
- Sunflowers
- Nasturtiums
- Beetroot
- Chard
- Cabbages
- Broccoli
- Kohl Rabi
- Fennel
What should I think about when direct sowing in May?
Though the weather is warmer now, there will still be a risk of frost so be aware of the weather! One year we even had snow in May so it’s totally possible! If the weather does stay good, you still need to be thinking about pest protection. Slugs, snails, butterflies and even rodents are all going to be after new seedlings, so protect them as soon as possible!
Some words of advice from someone who’s been there:
Don’t panic too much if things aren’t growing as fast as you would like them too. Or if you feel like you’ve sown something too late. From my experience as an allotment gardener, plants tend to catch up and though you might not get the biggest of harvest from a later harvest, you will probably get something! Gardening is also a bit of an experiment. Just because the internet or a book advices you not to plant something at a certain time, doesn’t always mean you shouldn’t. Why not whack it in and give it a go! It might grow, and if not, it’s a lesson learned for next year!
