STORY 16 April 2023

Fruit, Vegetables, and Herbs Care for May

By irishgardenstg

Planting and Transplanting

  • Plant out tender vegetables such as sweet corn, outdoor tomatoes, and runner beans in mild areas or wait for warmer weather.
  • Sow vegetables like lettuce, radish, carrots, peas, French beans, cauliflower, parsley, cabbage, and cauliflower for autumn and winter.
  • Repeat sowings of vegetables sown earlier in the year, such as lettuce, peas, and carrots.

Disease Control and Pest Management

  • Spray apple and pear trees for scab disease, and check for greenflies.
  • If codling moth grubs in apples have been a problem, spray with a caterpillar spray at the end of flowering and two weeks later.
  • Net strawberries to protect them from bird damage.

Weed Management and Maintenance

  • Keep ahead of weeds by hoeing while they are still small, especially after rainy days.
  • Thin out vegetable seedlings that have reached suitable size.
  • Control weeds early to prevent them from competing with your plants.

Growing Herbs

  • Sow herb seeds in a greenhouse or sprout them indoors.

Greenhouse Management

  • In colder areas or during cold and windy weather, grow tender vegetables in pots in the greenhouse, feeding them and reducing the temperature by ventilating to slow their growth.

Remember, the key to a successful fruit, vegetable, and herb garden is regular care and attention. Stay on top of weeds, pests, and diseases, and ensure your plants have the proper conditions to thrive.

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