May is one of the most exciting months for kitchen gardeners.
The warmer soil and longer days mean it’s time to get serious about sowing and planting if you want a bountiful harvest this summer and beyond.
Whether you’re filling raised beds, growing in pots, or just carving out a corner of your garden for veg, here’s your guide to what to plant in your vegetable patch this May.
1. Quick-Growing Crops You Can Sow Now
These crops are perfect for sowing directly outdoors into prepared beds or containers:
✅ Carrots – Choose early varieties like ‘Nantes’ for a quick summer harvest.
✅ Radishes – One of the fastest crops; ready to pick in just 4–6 weeks.
✅ Beetroot – Easy to grow and great for salads, roasting, or pickling.
✅ Lettuce and Salad Leaves – Mix different varieties for colourful, tasty salads.
✅ Spinach – Loves the cooler weather of early summer; sow little and often.
✅ Spring Onions – Ideal for growing in tight spaces and quick to mature.
🌿 Tip: Sow salad crops every few weeks for a continuous harvest through the summer.
2. Tender Crops to Plant Out (After the Last Frost)
By late May, you can safely plant out tender crops that don’t like cold nights:
✅ Courgettes – Fast growers with masses of fruit if watered well.
✅ Pumpkins and Squash – Need plenty of space and a sunny spot.
✅ French Beans and Runner Beans – Soak seeds overnight before planting for faster germination.
✅ Sweetcorn – Plant in blocks rather than rows for better pollination.
🌿 Tip: Always harden off indoor-raised seedlings by gradually introducing them to outdoor conditions over a week.
3. Herbs to Sow and Plant Now
Fresh herbs not only boost your cooking but attract pollinators to your veg patch.
✅ Basil – Loves warm weather and thrives in pots.
✅ Coriander – Sow little and often for a regular supply.
✅ Dill – Excellent companion plant for carrots and cucumbers.
✅ Parsley – Needs a bit of patience to germinate but well worth it.
✅ Chives – Hardy and packed with flavour; brilliant for bees too.
🌿 Tip: Keep herbs near your kitchen door for easy picking — you’ll use them far more often!
4. Potatoes – Still Time to Plant!
If you didn’t get round to it earlier, you can still plant Second Early and Maincrop potatoes in May.
✅ Second Earlies – Ready for harvesting around July/August (great for summer salads).
✅ Maincrops – Grow all summer and harvest in late summer/early autumn.
🌿 Tip: Plant potatoes in grow bags or containers if you’re short on space — they’re incredibly rewarding and easy!
5. Tomatoes – Get Them Ready
May is when you should:
✅ Plant out tomato seedlings if you’re confident all frosts have passed (or keep them in a greenhouse for a little longer if not).
✅ Choose varieties like ‘Gardener’s Delight’, ‘Ailsa Craig’, or ‘Moneymaker’ for reliable crops.
✅ Stake or cage plants now to support their rapid growth.
🌿 Tip: Pinch out side shoots on cordon varieties to encourage strong, upward growth and better fruiting.
May Veg Patch Quick Guide
| Crop | Action |
|---|---|
| Carrots, radish, beetroot | Direct sow outdoors |
| Lettuce, spinach | Succession sow every few weeks |
| Courgettes, pumpkins | Plant out after hardening off |
| Beans, sweetcorn | Sow directly or plant seedlings |
| Potatoes | Plant Second Earlies and Maincrops |
| Tomatoes | Plant out in beds or large pots |
| Herbs | Sow/plant basil, parsley, chives |
Top Tips for Success in May
✅ Water regularly – May can quickly turn dry, especially for young seedlings.
✅ Mulch around young plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
✅ Feed hungry crops like courgettes and tomatoes once they get established.
✅ Protect tender plants from late frosts with fleece if needed.
✅ Support tall plants early – it’s much easier now than when they’re fully grown!
Final Thoughts: May is Make-or-Break Month!
Get your sowing, planting, and planning right this month, and you’ll enjoy a delicious, colourful harvest all summer and well into autumn.
It’s all about getting ahead now so you can reap the rewards later.
Need Help Setting Up Your Veg Patch?
At Project Garden, we can help you:
✅ Prepare raised beds and growing spaces
✅ Plan and plant your vegetable garden
✅ Offer seasonal care and advice to keep your crops thriving
📞 Call 07795 800 772
📧 Email info@projectgarden.co.uk
Let’s grow your best summer harvest yet!