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Writer's pictureLing Lin

What to sow and grow in May?

Updated: May 15, 2019

I love this time of the year. The weather is warmer and the days are getting longer. Summer is definitely on its way. Yay... :)


There's plenty to sow and grow this month. Here are my top picks (flavorite) to grow in my garden this year.


In the greenhouse / indoors


Start off basil in pots for the greenhouse or patio - make sure keep them in warm conditions. Sow courgette, squash, and pumpkin seeds under cover now. Try sowing lettuce trays under glass for transplanting into the garden later. Sow every 3 or 4 weeks for continuous harvesting. Sow runner beans under cover, sowing individually into module trays for planting out after the risk of frost has passed. Start kale seeds under cover now - yes, it really is time to think ahead to winter cropping! Sow perennial herbs, such as rosemary, sage, thyme and lemon balm under cover.

Direct sow outdoors

Sow beetroot seeds directly into the ground. Sow broccoli directly in your vegetable. Direct sow cabbages, Net them early on to prevent cabbage-white butterflies laying their eggs on the leaves.

Direct sow carrots in rows and protect with fleece or mesh to prevent carrot-fly attack. Sow chicory directly into the soil now. Sow herbs such as chives, coriander, dill and parsley directly into the ground or in containers. Try growing hardy Lamb's Lettuce (corn salad) outdoors, for summer and winter salads. Sow peas directly into the ground, or start them off in modules if mice are a problem. Try direct sowing nutritious pak choi every 3 weeks for a continuous crop. Direct sow your parsnip seeds now. Sow 3 or 4 seeds every 20 cm and thin to the strongest plant. Sow radish seeds directly into the soil for quick and easy home-grown salad. Sow salad leaves directly into the ground or in containers. Sow spinach seeds in soil enriched with plenty of organic matter. Sow spring onion seeds in drills outdoors for a quick crop to flavour salads and stir fries. Try Swiss chard sown outdoors for a colourful crop - it even looks great in flower beds!


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