Warmth and rain

Is it possible to have both at the same time? In this country, I wonder after the extremes of the last two springs. In 2024, we saw almost no sunshine and every day it was wet. This year it's the other way round.

At least now, we can add water, whereas last year, we could not add sunshine. Light was lacking and growth was compromised.

No dig has value in both situations and is giving excellent moisture retention. I don't water generally and have no irrigation system on the half acre / 1700 m² here. We water by hand which takes more time, but is economical with the water.

Mainly I water leaf vegetables, such as lettuce and spinach. In addition now, any fruiting plants coming into full flower mode, such as early peas and broad beans. And new plantings receive a generous dose.

I don’t water potatoes until they flower, nor other root vegetables - except in extreme dryness.

My water is from a tap, metered. The rain-filled butts emptied a long time ago although the 1000 L IBC’s still have a small reserve. The tap water quality is boosted by a simple magnetic device which structures and softens it.

The weather pattern looks stuck at the moment, for another week or more. However, we recently passed full moon and I notice that changes happen 10 to 12 days later. That suggests some rain in the last week of May. Or vice versa if your weather is currently wet.

Out and about

My trip to the Netherlands was fascinating, and full of beautiful encounters. I am enchanted by the rich horticultural heritage, and loved seeing the botanical gardens at the University of Utrecht, where I lectured in the evening.

There are so many greenhouses, and it felt unusual to give a course in one. Fortunately, the owner had paid somebody to spray chalk on the outside two weeks earlier. The temperature was not massively higher than outside. My greenhouse is smaller and has more ventilation, I never want to diminish the light entering.

No dig allotment plots are rented to gardeners by Wouter Kolk. His greenhouse grew roses, until that became uneconomical. Now he sets up plots with compost plus water supplied, and advice when needed.

Sowing and planting

I hope that you are finding as many opportunities to sow and plant, as we are here. Winter had its final fling with the frost on the 6th May, and that it seems is that.

Now we have warmth by day, 20°C average so far this month, and 6° C average overnight. That is 68° and 43°F.

Nonetheless I have strong memories of 9th June 2024, when my car was icy in the morning! Fortunately it was not cold enough to freeze leaves.

New sowings

In best season for sowing now are dwarf and climbing beans, Brussel sprouts, cabbage to make large hearts in autumn, winter leeks such as Bandit, see below, swede, and parsnips sown direct.

For spinach, now cropping nicely, wait until August before sowing again.

For parsnips, I'm waiting until the weather changes because they need constant moisture to germinate. Carrots on the other hand, often germinate more strongly when it's dry, as long as you water the sowing drill-line, before dropping the seeds on wetted soil / compost.

See my June seed collection by Premier Seeds Direct.

Towards the end of May, make a second sowing of lettuce. That's if you have extended the harvest by leaf picking, which can enable the first sowing to crop until early July.

Especially of batavian varieties, such as Saragossa at the front. This photo is from it’s second sowing in 2024, made on 1st June.

Interplanting, companion planting

Space is running low and new plantings, often thrive when close to older plants that will finish soon. Up to a four or five week overlap is good. See more ideas in my No Dig book.

I find that all plants like all other plants, just as long as they have sufficient space and light to grow. New plantings being small, need little of either.

Coming up

Exciting events soon are a day course here on 21st May, then a weekend course on 24th-25th May.

On 6th June is a lovely outdoor event at the Barn, Little London in Chichester.
The next day I speak at a festival near to there, on Westerlands Farm.

Homeacres is open on 8th June, while that evening I speak at a debate in London.

There's a great festival near Glastonbury over solstice weekend and I'm speaking on 21st June.

Gaz Oakley and I are running a joint course here on 13th July.

The following weekend I'm in Ireland giving two day courses on 19th and 20th July, in County Limerick.

See more on my Events page.
And for something different, there is a “Wild wellbeing” festival in Somerset 24th May.