The garden awakens fully in May, transforming into a hub of activity that demands both attention and strategy. This explosion of growth creates the perfect environment for sowing an impressive variety of seeds, making it arguably the most productive month in the gardening calendar.

With beds filling up rapidly, lawns growing vigorously, and perennials emerging from their winter dormancy, May presents an opportunity to maximize your garden's potential through thoughtful planning. The dramatic shift in weather conditions from previous weeks brings a surge in plant development – combining recent rainfall with increasing temperatures to create ideal growing conditions. However, this acceleration also benefits unwanted visitors, making weed management a crucial priority.

The seed sowing guide focuses on strategic planting that extends your harvests well beyond summer into autumn and winter. While certain long-season crops like tomatoes, peppers and melons have passed their optimal sowing window (better purchased as established plants now), numerous vegetables remain prime candidates for May planting. These include successional crops like salad leaves, spring onions and radishes that provide continuous summer harvests, alongside winter staples like leeks, beetroot, winter cabbages and purple sprouting broccoli that need starting now for cold-season eating. For warm-season crops including cucumbers, courgettes, sweetcorn and pumpkins, early May represents the final optimal sowing period.

The practical guidance offered extends beyond mere planting schedules to include maintenance tips that prevent problems before they develop. A simple hoeing routine on dry days eliminates seedling weeds with minimal effort, preventing the overwhelming task they become if left unchecked. Whether you're an experienced gardener or relative newcomer, these timely interventions make May's abundance manageable rather than overwhelming. Share your May planting plans and success stories online or reach out directly with questions – the gardening community thrives on shared knowledge and mutual support through this vibrant growing season.

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Until next week
Happy gardening
John