May 2021

With the cooler weather of winter edging ever closer, May is a month of contradictions for many gardeners. For those in southern areas, things are noticeably slowing down in the garden while for those in northern Australia it is full steam ahead to make the most of the cooler, less humid conditions. Wherever you are, there is always something to do in the vege patch.

Peas can be planted in most locations this month. Snails, slaters and slugs love young pea shoots so try to reduce numbers as much as possible by reducing the amount of mulch near young shoots, using beer traps or protecting with a cut-down soft drink bottle or similar. Tropical gardeners stick with snow peas for best success and less chance of disease!

Spring onions can also be grown in all climate zones this month, remarkably hardy, they are a great addition to the vegetable garden but also equally at home in pots. For best results sow in good quality soil and apply a small amount of fertiliser or seaweed solution every two weeks.

Broccoli can be sown in all zones this month. Broccoli is a hungry feeder, plant in well composted soil and feed regularly. Sprouting broccoli is an excellent option for those wanting an ongoing supply of smaller broccolini type shoots, or if a larger head is more your thing, try Calabrese. For those in cooler climates, seeds will need to be started indoors and while frost tolerant, growth maybe slow until the weather warms in spring.

Cool climate gardeners, the next three or four months can be a tricky time in the garden. Germinating seed can be more difficult, frosts can often damage young seedlings and growth of seedlings can be frustratingly slow due to low day time temperatures, but if you are up for a challenge, you can always try to make the most of microclimates in your garden. Seeds can be sown and left on a sunny windowsill. Kale, broccoli and lettuce will grow well in containers and can be kept on a sunny verandah and while you may not be able to cover your entire garden, a small sunny section can be covered in frost cloth or similar. Of course, if you are fortunate enough to have a greenhouse, you will be able to carry on growing your favourite vegetables throughout the winter – Kale, broccoli, kohlrabi, cauliflower, carrots and lettuce will all grow throughout winter. Remember planting guides are simply guides for optimal planting times and with a little observation on your specific conditions you could still be planting and harvesting from your patch throughout winter.

It’s a wonderful time to be a tropical gardener! Things are in peak production for you and now is a great time to get seed sown for many vegetables that many in cool, temperate and arid climates can grow throughout much of the year. Cucumber and zucchini are great options to plant now and the less humid weather over the winter months will reduce the risk of powdery mildew.

Happy Gardening

Vegetable, herb and flower seeds to plant May 2021

In Cool Climates

• Broccoli – Sow in punnets undercover or plant out seedlings
• Broad Beans – Sow direct
• Cabbage – Plant out seedlings*
• Cauliflower – Sow in punnets undercover or plant out seedlings
• Kale –  Plant out seedlings
• Kohlrabi – Plant out seedlings
• Lettuce – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (PFF)
• Mustard Greens – Sow direct
• Onion – Plant out seedlings
• Radish – Sow direct
• Rocket – Sow direct
• Silverbeet –  Plant out seedlings
• Spinach  – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Swede – Sow direct
• Turnip – Sow direct
• Pollinating flowers – Sweet Alyssum, Sweet pea – Sow direct

PFF – Protect from frost

* Last chance to plant or sow[

In Temperate Climates

• Asian Greens – Sow direct
• Broccoli – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Broad beans – Sow direct
• Cabbage – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Carrots – Sow direct
• Cauliflower – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Kohlrabi – Sow direct
• Lettuce – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Leek – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Mizuna – Sow direct (HS)
• Mustard Greens – Sow direct
• Onion – Sow direct or in punnets
• Radish – Sow direct
• Rocket – Sow direct
• Silverbeet – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Spinach – Sow direct,  in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Swede – Sow direct
• Turnip – Sow direct
• Herbs – Coriander, – Sow direct
• Pollinating flowers – Alyssum  Sweet pea

* Last chance to plant or sow

In Hot/Arid Climates

• Asian Greens – Sow direct
• Broad beans – Sow direct
• Beetroot – Sow direct or in punnets
• Broccoli – Sow direct or in punnets
• Cabbage – Sow direct or in punnets
• Cauliflower – Sow direct or in punnets
• Carrots – Sow direct
• Kohlrabi – Sow direct
• Leeks – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Mustard Greens – Sow direct
• Onion – Sow direct or in punnets
• Radish – Sow direct
• Silverbeet – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Swede – Sow direct
• Turnip – Sow direct
• Herbs – Chives sow direct, Basil plant out seedlings*
• Pollinating flowers  – Sweet Alyssum, Sweet pea sow direct or plant out seedlings.

* Last chance to plant or sow

In Tropical Climates

• Asian Greens – Sow direct
• Beans (Snake only) – Sow direct
• Beetroot – Sow direct or plant out seedlings
• Broccoli – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Capsicum – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Carrots – Sow direct or plant out seedlings
• Chilli – Sow in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Corn – Sow direct
• Cucumber – Sow direct
• Eggplant – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Kale – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings.
• Luffa – Sow direct
• Mustard Greens – Sow direct
• Mizuna – Sow direct
• Okra – Sow direct
• Radish – Sow direct
• Rosella – Sow direct
• Malabar Spinach – Sow direct
• Tomato – Sow direct or  in punnets
• Zucchini – Sow direct or in punnets
• Herbs –  Basil and can be sown direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings and Thyme – plant out seedlings
• Pollinating Flowers  –  Marigolds or Zinnia sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings. Sunflower or Calendula – Sow direct

* Last chance to plant or sow