Steve’s Handy Hints Page - May 2007

The allotments are now looking in good shape, after a very start to the year wet followed by the recent spell of warm weather has encouraged plot holders to prepare for spring sowing season.

It is good to see families including young children enjoying the fresh air.

May can be a month of contrasts with warm days and everything growing fast, but look for those chilly nights there can still be some damaging frosts for another couple of weeks.

This is your last chance to ….
Plant Onion sets
Plant seed Potatoes
Sow Spinach now or wait for late summer
French Beans, Sweetcorn and Runner Beans can be sown outside at the end of the month the threat of frost will be over by the time they germinate.

Earth up Potatoes ensuring that light does not get to the tubers, light produces poisonous green patches.

Now is the time to Sow - Beetroot, Winter Cabbage, Sprouting Broccoli, Winter Cauliflowers, Squashes, outdoor Cucumbers, Courgettes, Marrow and Pumpkins can be sown under cloches for planting out next month.

Parsnips are sometimes difficult to germinate so why not try fluid sowing?

First put some wet kitchen roll in a container, then distribute the seeds evenly over the paper fit a lid and keep at about 68F and check regularly. You want to go to the next stage when the seeds have just germinated and before the roots are tool long. Wash them off the paper into sieve, mix some water retaining granules with some water gently add the seeds to the gel which should be thick enough to hold the seeds without them sinking. Put the mixture in plastic bag cut off a corner and squeeze the mixture along a drill and cover with soil keep well watered.

Many soft fruits will be ready to pick this month and with lock we can dig our first new potatoes.
The more tender vegetables such as Tomatoes, Aubergines and Runner Beans can be planted out when the threat of frost is past.
Water plants deeply a good soaking does far more good than lots light sprinkling.
To conserve moisture use a mulch of well-rotted compost, if you use grass clippings only apply 2 inches deep as they can produce too much heat.
Earth up your potatoes.

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