In May, all the risk of front has passed in most of the UK. It time to plant/sow vegetable and fruits outdoors. Plenty of seeds can be sown indoors, too, including more tender crops like cucumber and melon.
Below are vegetable, herbs and fruits which can be planted in May in the UK
Beetroot
Beetroot is packed with essential nutrients, beetroots are a great source of fiber, folate (vitamin B9), manganese, potassium, iron, and vitamin C. They are easy to grow, the seeds don’t need much encouragement to germinate and they require little maintenance once established.
Sow seeds direct in shallow drills or pots. Now’s also the time to plant out pre-sown beetroot plugs outside – make sure you plant them before the roots develop or they will grow into unusual shapes.
Sweetcorn
Still not too late to sow sweetcorn. For best results, sow in a multi-celled tray indoors and plant out when the seedlings are large enough to handle. Any sweetcorn plants sown in April can be planted out now, after a period of hardening off.
Cucumber
Some varieties of Cucumber can be sown outdoor, check the seeds label labels
Sprouting broccoli
Sprouting broccoli has great flavour and have a long harvest seasons. A single portion provides half your daily requirement of carotenoids, plus high levels of folic acid and vitamins A and C.
Sow into seed trays or small pots and pot on until they’re ready to plant out.
Carrots
Carrots grow best in full sun and light, fertile, well-drained soil, they are drought resistant, so rarely need watering.
Courgettes
Courgettes can be direct-sown in well-prepared soil outside or in pots or multi-celled trays for transplanting later on. They also work well in containers. Plants sown last month can also be planted out now, once acclimatised.
Rocket
Rocket is a quick-growing crop that takes up little space. Perfect for pots, direct-sow seeds on the surface of moist, multi-purpose compost and protect emerging seedlings from slugs and snails
French and runner beans
French beans and runner beans can be sown direct outside now – dwarf French cultivars are suitable for growing in pots. Support climbing beans with a teepee of canes. Any beans sown in pots or multi-celled trays last month can be planted out now after a period of hardening off
Basil
Basil can be sown outdoor in May