May 2021
Sowing & Planting

01 - 07 May

Wednesday 05 May

Despite the continuing frosts I decided to leave all the tomato plants in the greenhouse rather than bring some into the porch overnight.

Some seedlings were moved from the indoor growlight to the greenhouse to grow on.

To make way for seedlings our new strawberry plants Malwina and Christina were moved into the cold frame.

Christina
Sweet Peas & Malwina strawberries

Our overwintered lupins were moved out of the cold frame and onto the garden.

I was hoping that the birds would clear the greenfly that had infested one of the plants.

Saturday, 07 May

I dug out the old tree and shrub roots that had been left in our newly renovated bed at home.

The ground was dug over and is now ready for planting up when our plants arrive.

 

08 - 14 May

Sunday,09 May 2021

The cold weather of April and May relented at last and gardening could begin. Lots of vegetable seeds were sown in the greenhouse. Some remained in the greenhouse to germinate whilst others were placed under the indoor growlight to germinate. 

Brassicas left in greenhouse to germinate

 Courgettes and squashes that germinate better with some warmth were put under our indoor growlight.

Courgettes and squashes brought inside and placed under growlight.

 The best 6 lettuce seedlings were pricked out and will be left to grow on in the greenhouse.

Headed lettuce potted on

 The best 6 cabbage, calabrese and cauliflower plants were pricked out. They will be left in the greenhouse to grow on before they are moved to the cold frame.

Brassicas potted on

 In the afternoon we visited the allotment for the first time in almost two weeks. The main job was to get as many potatoes planted as possible.

Potatoes planted

 By the end of the afternoon we had just a few odds and ends left to plant. Some of the paths were strimmed. Our onion beds were hoed through and our early brassicas were hoed and weeded.

Monday 10th May

The frantic effort to catch up continued. In the morning more seed sowings at home of both flowers and vegetables.

As well as seeds sowings more vegetables were transplanted to grow on in the greenhouse.

Cabbages, Cauliflowers & Brussels sprouts

In the afternoon a trip to the allotment to get our carrots sown.

These were covered with environmesh before we left the plot. Our cold frame was repositioned and our parsnips were sown in the spare ground next to the cold frame.

Finally, the dahlia tubers which had over wintered in the plot greenhouse were replanted.

Tuesday 11th May

More catching up sowing flower seeds in the morning. These were all sown in 40 cell modules. Hopefully, this will avoid the need for pricking out seedlings at a later stage and they can be transplanted straight into the allotment or garden.

In the afternoon we managed to sow a couple of rows of peas Onward before we were rained off for the afternoon.

Wednesday 12th May

More sowings in the greenhouse of vegetables and flowers. Tender vegetables, squashes, cucumbers and courgettes were brought inside to germinate under the grow light. Everything else was left in the greenhouse to germinate.

 

15 - 21 May

General Comments

Another poor week weather-wise with visits to the allotment limited due to the showery nature of the weather. Besides the wet weather it remained cool for May.

Sunday 16th May

Moved last of seedlings from under grow light and moved them into the greenhouse. Moved broad beans from the greenhouse into the cold frame.

Tuesday 18th May

Managed a good afternoon at the allotment. We managed to get our sweet peas planted out. Started strimming parts of the plot. Some paths are now very overgrown. Potatoes are gradually starting to push through. Cold wet weather has certainly held back growth.

22 - 31 May

On Thursday 20th and Friday 22nd plants arrived from Hayloft and Thompson & Morgan. The plants were all potted into pots to grow on in the greenhouse. The plants from T&M had suffered some damage through rough handling in transit and had been knocked out of their plugs.