May delivered relentless heat, a dryness that rolled on and on and whilst many were encouraged to buy and plant early, opening the ground required a crowbar and having introduced plants to the earth a lively watering regime was essential. If good attention was given, plants did grow and by the second week of May, I had Tomatoes standing in flower and three feet tall and some good greens really on course for ten-week cropping (achievable by quite a number of Summer Cabbage varieties).

You have had to have your wits about you if you have planted salad crops, Lettuce came to good heart in no time, but within days were bolting. The management and continuity of salads has very much been about little and often. This has applied to Salad roots too, Radish, beetroot and spring onion have worked well when sown regularly and modestly. The sowing of salad can still feature across the next two months. Just keep harvesting as soon as things are close to maturity.

Across this month, with total confidence we can be planting marrows, courgettes and squashes, but do give them space. If you haven’t found space already then do get in some beans. Runners and French will all romp and are bounteous in their cropping. There will be something for all spaces, with both forms available as bush of climber. If space is very tight, then dwarf French are a good bet. You will still get seed for all types to take easily.

Garden centres are awash with summer bedding and herbaceous plants at the moment and if your looking for four months of colour,there good plants to be found. Once again this year I will be using quite a few geraniums, both bedding and herbaceous, all of which seem to have great drought tolerance and will perform in sunshine and shade.

Pest and disease problems have not been too onerous thus far, but the pigeons have been testing. I watched a pair the other day ripping young growth from a fruit tree and all to build a nest.

And finally. If you fancy a garden visit with a difference, then do check out Showborough House Gardens, which are just north of Twyning. It is a delightful garden and filled with sculpture to suit all tastes. Admission is free and it is open Thursday to Sundays, but only until June 15th. See https://www.showborough.com/.

Happy Gardening

Chris Evans
www.dundrynurseries.co.uk
www.thebutterflygarden.org