JOBS FOR THE MONTH

ESSENTIAL TASKS FOR YOUR VEG PATCH AND PROTECTED CROPS

- BEN VANHEEMS

FARTH UP POTATOES

Magical May. At the start of the month everything’s still so young and tentative. But by the end of May things have really started to fill out, with earlier sowings growing at a rate of knots and tender crops like courgettes finding their feet – the veg plot is finally taking shape!

Potatoes are one of those vegetables that suddenly explode with the first spell of warmer weather. To get the most from them, they need earthing up. Use a hoe to draw up soil around the shoots as they grow, gradually increasing the height of the ridge formed until the foliage closes over between the rows. As well as protecting tender leaves from late frosts, this will also create more space for potato tubers to form without turning green in the light.

Slugs can burrow into developing tubers and decimate tender seedlings. My method of slug control is to sink ramekins of beer at the edge of the plot to intercept them.

GROW BEETROOT STEP BY STEP

STEP 1: Sow beetroot direct into prepared soil or into modules of multipurpose compost. Sowing into modules means you get seedlings started off while other in-ground crops are still finishing off. Sow pinches of two to three seeds to give a cluster of seedlings.

STEP 2: Plant out module-raised seedlings once you can see roots at the bottom of the modules. Space them about 25-30cm (10-12in) apart in both directions. The variety 'Boltardy' is the most reliable in my experience - it tastes good and is less likely to bolt.