Garden News – May 2026

Welcome to our May newsletter! As the growing season gets into full swing, there’s plenty to keep you busy on your plot. Here are this month’s key tips, updates, and events.

General Gardening

• Clear weeds using a suitable selective weed killer.

• Rotovate cleared areas (cultivator available on-site—contact the Site Manager).

• Rake in 4oz per sq. yd. Growmore before sowing or planting.

• Protect fruit and plants with bird netting.

• Water thoroughly using an open-ended can—avoid wasteful spraying.

• Seed potatoes typically won’t need watering until June.

Veg Plot

Plant: cauliflower, cabbage, sprouts, calabrese, kale, potatoes, celery
Sow: runner beans, French beans, marrow, pumpkins, courgettes, cucumbers, sweet corn, carrots, turnips, swede, fennel, basil, dill

Top tips:

• Use 8' canes for runner beans in double rows (2½–3 ft apart).

• Protect potatoes from frost if forecast.

• Thin April sowings.

Harvest: broad beans, broccoli, cauliflower, radish, lettuce, asparagus

Fruit

• Spray trees affected by mildew, scab, aphids, or codling moth.

• Watch for caterpillars, blackfly, and red spider mite.

• Apply nitrogen feed after fruit sets.

• Add straw around strawberries to deter slugs.

Greenhouse

• Ventilate, shade, and maintain humidity.

• Sow melons, cucumbers, sweet corn.

• Prick out half-hardy annuals into trays or pots.

• Feed weekly (e.g. liquid feed or Miracle-Gro).

• Plant tomatoes, peppers, aubergines in grow bags.

• Pinch out fuchsias after two pairs of leaves.

Flowers

• Move spring bulbs and feed with Growmore or Blood, Fish & Bone.

• Sow hardy annuals and bi-annuals.

• Tie in sweet peas to 6' canes.

• Plant summer containers (protect from late frost).

• Stake tall plants and mulch borders.

Lawns

• Mow weekly.

• Apply lawn feed or weed control.

• Water in treatments if no rain within 48 hours.

Allotment News

The Hut – Opening Times

Open 10am–12 noon Saturdays & Sundays throughout May and June.

Join ’n’ Save

Membership is just £5 per year and open to everyone.
Enjoy bulk-buy savings—your membership can easily pay for itself.

Pond & Wildlife Area

Now open to visitors and plot holders.
Highlights include:

• Daffodils, Muscari, and Tulips thriving

• Snakes Head Fritillary in bloom

• Pond Buttercups, Wood Anemones, and flowering garlic doing well

• Water levels fluctuating naturally with rainfall

Village Show – Save the Date!

Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th September

Open to all amateur growers and crafters.

Photography Competition

Themes:

1. A Garden Scene

2. My Favourite Pet

3. A Vintage Vehicle

4. Patterns

Handicraft Competition

Includes knitting, crochet, cross stitch, decorated items, and more.

Art Competition

Themes:

• Landscape/Seascape

• Portrait

• Abstract

Upcoming Event

Picnic on the Plot
Saturday 25th July – Save the date!

Thank you for being part of our allotment community. Happy gardening!

Capel St Mary Allotments Association