Mid-May Gardening Tasks to Tackle This Weekend

May is one of the busiest months in the veg garden—and also one of the most rewarding. With long days and warming soil, it’s the perfect time to catch up on sowing, watering, and a bit of garden TLC.

Here are some key tasks you can crack on with this weekend:

1. Successional Sowing

• Lettuce, radish, spring onions, rocket
• Beetroot, carrots (try a few under fleece to help germination)

Keeping sowings little and often helps prevent gluts and keeps you harvesting for longer.

2. Support Climbing Plants

• Tie in peas, beans, and cucumbers
• Add extra canes where needed
• Check and re-secure any wind-blown structures

3. Watering Check

With rainfall still low, check your mulch levels and make sure thirsty crops (like courgettes, peas, and strawberries) are getting regular water. Rainwater systems are especially valuable now.

4. Harden Off Tender Plants

Plants like squashes, courgettes, and tomatoes should be almost ready for planting out. Give them a few hours outdoors each day to acclimatise.

5. Quick Clean-Up Jobs

• Tidy greenhouse glass for more light
• Label any recent sowings
• Remove yellowing leaves from overwintered crops

Final Tip:

Make time to just enjoy the garden. Snap some photos, breathe it in, and take stock. Growth is fast right now, and it’s worth pausing to notice it.