PLOT LINES

MAY IS HERE AND THE URGE TO GET PLANTING IS STRONG, SAYS TIM FOSTER. BUT HOW CAN WE GIVE OUR PRECIOUS SEEDLINGS THE BEST CHANCE BEFORE SENDING THEM OUT INTO THE WORLD?

- WITH TIM FOSTER

IF April was the season of sowing, then May is the season of planting. The planting is of the vegetables sown in April though, to confuse matters, there is still plenty of sowing in May too. This is for late crops such as the winter brassicas (kale, purple sprouting broccoli, etc.) and repeat crops such as peas, lettuce, radish, etc.

There is a sort of crescendo round about right now. I’m sure you have noticed it - a sort of horticultural tremor running up your hoe handle. It is saying: “Do it now.”

There is so much that coincides at this time, simply because it is when we are supposed to be frost-free from now onwards. This allows all of the tender crops to be put out in the ground.

Except.