It’s not too late. Seeds you can plant in May
For a harvest in a few months’ time focus on fast-growing vegetables. As it’s almost June, you have a good window for many crops.
Here are some of the best seeds to plant now for a summer/early autumn harvest:
Very Fast Harvest (within 1-2 months):
Radishes: These are incredibly quick, with some varieties ready in as little as 3-4 weeks. Sow them little and often for a continuous supply.
Lettuce/Salad Leaves: “Cut and come again” varieties are perfect for a continuous harvest. Many types of lettuce and mixed salad leaves can be ready in about a month.
Spinach: Another fast-growing leafy green, ready for harvest in 4-6 weeks. Perpetual spinach is a good choice for longer cropping.
Spring Onions: These can be harvested in 5-8 weeks and are great for adding a fresh onion flavour to dishes.
Rocket (Arugula): Known for its speedy growth, rocket can be ready in 30-60 days. Sow every two weeks for a constant supply.
Turnips (baby): Harvested young, baby turnips can be ready in about a month.
Medium-Fast Harvest (2-3 months):
Bush Beans / Dwarf French Beans: These are easier to manage than climbing beans and produce pods quickly, typically within 60-70 days.
Beetroot: While full-sized beetroot takes longer, baby beetroot can be harvested in around 6-8 weeks. You can also eat the leaves.
Courgettes (Zucchini): If you plant young plants now, you can be harvesting courgettes every few days in a couple of months. Seeds germinate easily too.
Carrots (Baby): For quicker results, choose smaller varieties and harvest them as “baby” carrots, which can be ready in 30-40 days.
Peas: Many pea varieties are ready in about 60 days. Choose early-maturing varieties for a quicker crop.
Kohl Rabi: This unusual vegetable can be ready in as little as 8 weeks.
Swiss Chard: A colourful and nutritious leafy green that has a longer harvesting season than some other greens.
Other things to consider:
Frost: By late May, the risk of hard frost is generally past in North West England, but always be mindful of local conditions.
Soil: Ensure your soil is well-drained and enriched with organic matter for best results.
Sunlight: Most vegetables prefer a sunny spot (6+ hours of direct sunlight per day).
Watering: Consistent watering is crucial, especially during dry spells, to encourage good growth and prevent bolting (going to seed prematurely).
Successional Sowing: For many of the fast-growing crops like radishes, lettuce, and spring onions, sow small batches every 2-3 weeks to ensure a continuous harvest rather than a huge glut all at once.
Hardening Off: If you buy young plants or start seeds indoors, remember to “harden them off” gradually before planting them outside to acclimatize them to outdoor conditions.
Enjoy your harvest!