What to sow in the kitchen garden in May

If you are wondering what to sow in the kitchen garden in May, which is a time of year when there is so much to do in the garden, we have got you covered! Sometimes this time of year can feel a bit overwhelming with lots of jobs to do and seeds to sow, plants to pot on, harden off and plant out but keeping a list of jobs to do and ticking them off as you go along can be helpful. The same applies to sowing seeds. Keep this list of seeds to sow with you, and as you work your way through the list, you can tick each item off and know you are getting through the spring jobs in the garden. 

Sow annual flower seeds in the kitchen garden in May 

May is the perfect time to sow your annual flower seeds for a summer display of flowers which you can also cut for the vase. Prepare where you want them to grow, ensuring the soil is fine and moist, then sprinkle your seeds thinly, lightly cover over and make sure there are no weeds as the roots are growing. Check the seed packet for specific instructions. Annuals to sow include: 

• Marigolds
• Sunflowers
• Nasturtiums 
• Cornflower
• Wildflower mixes
• Calendula
• Cosmos
• Ageratum 

Vegetable seeds to sow in the kitchen garden in May

As the weather warms up and the soil temperatures rise, many seeds can be sown. Perhaps none as satisfying as those that become something you can eat! Direct sowing where the plants will grow is a great way to save space indoors or in the greenhouse, if you run out due to many trays of seeds already growing. Here are some of the seeds you can sow in May. 

• Courgette
• Sweet corn
• Broccoli
• Brussel sprouts
• Cauliflower
• Kale
• Peas
• Swede

Salad seeds to sow in the kitchen garden in May

Salads are some of the most accessible seeds to germinate and grow. They can be grown in containers, window boxes, hanging baskets, or beds and borders. Great fun for kids too! If you regularly sow salads seeds, you can be harvesting from in as little as a few weeks after sowing and all the way through into autumn. 

• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Spring Onions 
• Carrots
• Microgreens
• Mizuna
• Bok Choy
• Chard

It’s easy to get growing, and seed sowing is one of the most cost-effective and fun ways to grow your own food. We have a vast seed selection in store, come and visit us to choose yours. 

Knowing what to sow in the kitchen garden in May is pretty easy since it’s such a busy year for sowing and growing. Often it might seem by this point in the year that you have missed a chance to sow or that you are too late, but there are very many different vegetables and salads that can be sown in May for an abundant harvest. So as the seeds you have already sown will be growing at quite a pace as the weather warms up, make sure you have plenty of crops even going into Autumn by sowing in May. 

1. Brassicas 

Don’t panic if you haven’t sown your cauliflowers, broccoli, cabbages and sprouts yet because you can still sow them in May to be able to harvest plenty by the end of the year. They can be sown undercover in a greenhouse or warm windowsill, sown directly if you have good weather and even planted in an area temporarily until other crops have finished. You can then move them to their final growing space. 

2. Squashes

Pumpkins and Courgettes can be sown during May, and they will grow at quite a pace in the sunny, warm weather, all ready for you to plant out in June. Pop the seeds in individual modules, water, label and watch them grow. You’ll be pumpkin carving in no time!

3. All the roots

Rows of Carrots and Beetroots can be sown outside during May, plus Turnips and Swedes as well. Deter carrot root fly by sowing them in a raised bed or making sure they are covered with fine mesh. 

4. Sweetcorn

You can sow your sweetcorn outside during May, right where you want them to grow. Don’t forget to sow in a block/square formation, which helps them to pollination properly. Give them some protection from pests and late frosty weather with some fleece or cloches.

5. Salads 

Keep sowing your cut and come again with lettuce, spinach and any leafy greens. This is successional sowing meaning that you will be able to harvest a continuous crop for as long as possible throughout the year. 

6. Microgreens 

These can be sown at any time of year and will pack a nutritious punch to your cooking in just a few weeks after sowing. Sow seeds such as sprouts, radish, beetroot, herbs and much more, just allowing them to grow no taller than 10cm before you harvest them. That small sprout is full of nutrition, flavour and looks great as a garnish or put into a smoothie, soups, stews and sprinkled on top of a freshly harvested homegrown plate of Salad.

Don’t miss out on sowing in your kitchen garden. Visit us to find all the seeds you need.