system. During prolonged dry weather, especially if the soil is on the light side, remove all weeds, water thoroughly and then place a mulch of compost or manure around the plants this keeps the roots cool conserves moisture and restricts weed growth. Fruit There is still a risk of frost damage especially in our area but trees are – now making more growth which will protect the flowers and spoil temperatures are rising so that low growing fruits are less likely to be frosted than in April. – Most fruits contain a high proportion of water and will benefit from watering in dry spells. Apart from its direct effect on the size and quality of the fruit, water applied when the trees and bushes are short of it will produce more growth and will result in a larger plant, which will bear bigger crops in later years. To avoid producing too much growth water mainly after flowering during the fruit swelling stage. Vegetables be ready to cover potatoes if frost is forecast. Sow main crop – carrots if not already done. During the second half of the month sow runner beans plant the bean with the two eyes on the concave side down in the soil about 2-3in. deep as this is where the roots emerge from. If you wish to grow outdoor crops of marrows, squashes, pumpkins or courgettes, prepare the ground by digging in well-rotted manure early in the month. At the end of the month sow three seeds on each site, later removing two of the seedlings and leaving the strongest to grow on. Colin Williams.
system. During prolonged dry weather, especially if the soil is on the light side, remove all weeds, water thoroughly and then place a mulch of compost or manure around the plants this keeps the roots cool conserves moisture and restricts weed growth. Fruit – There is still a risk of frost damage especially in our area but trees are now making more growth which will protect the flowers and spoil temperatures are rising so that low – growing fruits are less likely to be frosted than in April. Most fruits contain a high proportion of water and will benefit from watering in dry spells. Apart from its direct effect on the size and quality of the fruit, water applied when the trees and bushes are short of it will produce more growth and will result in a larger plant, which will bear bigger crops in later years. To avoid producing too much growth water mainly after flowering during the fruit swelling stage. Vegetables – be ready to cover potatoes if frost is forecast. Sow main crop carrots if not already done. During the second half of the month sow runner beans plant the bean with the two eyes on the concave side down in the soil about 2-3in. deep as this is where the roots emerge from. If you wish to grow outdoor crops of marrows, squashes, pumpkins or courgettes, prepare the ground by digging in well-rotted manure early in the month. At the end of the month sow three seeds on each site, later removing two of the seedlings and leaving the strongest to grow on. Colin Williams.