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What to Plant in Scotland Each Month: Veg, Fruits, Herbs & Edible Flowers. Planting in May
Planting in May
What to Plant in Scotland Each Month: Veg, Fruits, Herbs & Edible Flowers
Planting in May
May is one of the busiest and most exciting months in the Scottish garden. With longer days and warming soil, it’s time to sow, plant out and get growing in earnest, while still keeping an eye on late frosts, especially in colder areas, which can still happen until mid May for us.
PHOTOS: From end of April to show where we got to with our growing and sowing
Vegetable Seeds To Start Indoors In May
Courgettes: quick growing; ideal for succession sowing if you didn’t start earlier.
Pumpkins & squash: last chance to sow indoors for strong summer plants.
Sweetcorn: start indoors or in modules for reliable germination.
Cucumber: thrives with warmth; perfect for greenhouse growing.
French beans: can be started indoors or direct sown later in the month.
Runner beans: fast germination; start indoors for earlier crops.
Kale: hardy and productive; great for later transplanting.
Brussels sprouts: sow now for winter harvests.
TIPS
May is all about timing many crops can now be direct sown outdoors, but tender plants still need protection until frost risk has passed. Harden off indoor seedlings gradually over 7–10 days before planting out. Keep fleece or cloches handy for sudden cold snaps, and water regularly as conditions begin to dry out, as the days are warmer starting indoors is much more rapid that starting in March, a few weeks indoors and they’ll be ready to go out.
Providing bottom heat, such as a heated propagator or heat mat, can significantly improve germination rates during cold, low light months. Read more in this blog: The Importance of Seed Starting with Heat Mats and Grow Lights
Herb Seeds To Start Indoors In May
Basil: loves warmth; ideal for indoor pots or greenhouse growing.
Coriander: quick growing; sow regularly for continuous harvests.
Dill: fast and delicate; best grown in pots or direct sown.
Parsley: steady grower; thrives with consistent moisture.
Chives: hardy and reliable; suitable for pots or borders.
Thyme: slow growing; prefers sunny, dry conditions.
Oregano: easy perennial; develops strong flavour over time.
Mint (best from cuttings or plants): vigorous and spreading.
TIPS
With warmer temperatures, most herbs can now be moved outdoors or direct sown. Tender herbs like basil should stay protected or indoors unless nights are mild. Use free draining compost, avoid overwatering and harvest little and often to encourage bushy growth.
If you need more information and detail on growing these head over to ours guides, we have one on each of these herbs in full detail. Guides to the Fruits, Herbs & Edible Flowers We Grow: Cultivation, Care & Harvesting
Edible Flower Seeds To Start Indoors In May
Nasturtium: fast growing; peppery leaves and flowers, can also be direct sown.
Calendula: easy and reliable; continuous blooms through summer.
Borage: quick to establish; loved by pollinators.
Cornflower: hardy; can be sown indoors or directly outside.
Sunflower: easy and cheerful; edible petals and seeds.
Viola / pansy: great for continuous edible blooms.
Chives & garlic chives: edible flowers and leaves.
TIPS
May is ideal for direct sowing edible flowers outdoors, as soil temperatures improve. Keep seedlings watered during dry spells and thin them out to prevent overcrowding. Regular picking encourages more blooms, so don’t be shy about harvesting.
If you need more information and detail on growing these head over to ours guides. Guides to the Fruits, Herbs & Edible Flowers We Grow: Cultivation, Care & Harvesting
Fruit & Nut Trees To Plant Outside In May
By May, planting is limited to container grown trees, as bare root season is over. Water thoroughly after planting and continue watering regularly during dry spells. Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds, and ensure trees are securely staked in exposed areas.
If you need more information and detail on growing these head over to ours guides. Guides to the Fruits, Herbs & Edible Flowers We Grow: Cultivation, Care & Harvesting
Fruit Bushes To Plant Outside In May
Strawberries: ideal time to plant for summer fruit.
Blueberries: thrive in acidic compost; perfect for pots.
Blackberries: vigorous and productive; needs support.
Raspberries (container-grown): can still be planted with care.
Currants (container-grown): suitable for spring planting.
TIPS
May is all about establishing and maintaining fruit bushes. Water deeply, especially newly planted bushes and mulch well to keep moisture in. Remove weeds around young plants and provide supports for bramble fruits like blackberries and raspberries as they begin to grow.
If you need more information and detail on growing these head over to ours guides. Guides to the Fruits, Herbs & Edible Flowers We Grow: Cultivation, Care & Harvesting
You can see what is going on outside in out month tours:
April: Month By Month In Our Scottish Gardens
Happy Gardening!
P.S Our Story book Vol 3 : Clayton’s Tiny Little Seeds: A Story of Autism and Sowing is a perfect time read to introduce sowing
Follow Us Across Our Socials
Katrina & Clayton and family live in East Ayrshire and share their daily life in the garden on instagram. They practice permaculture principles in the garden, reducing & repurposing waste whenever they can. Katrina shows how home educating in nature has helped Clayton thrive.
Clayton Completed The 2 Grow and Learn Courses with the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society. He is Autistic, Non Verbal & has been Home Educated since 2018. Katrina & Peter hold their PDC & PDC PRO Permaculture Design Course from Oregon State University.
They featured on BBC Beechgrove Gardens Ep23 2022 and returned in 2023 for an update, Katrina & Clayton are also columnists for ScotlandGrows Magazine, Guest Blog for Caledonian Horticulture as well as working with Gardeners’ World Magazine and many other brands.
They are also Author of the new Children’s Book Series: Clayton’s Garden Journey: Stories of Autism and Gardening. Topics on Growing, Harvesting, Sowing & Composting and 108 Page Weather and Seasons Weekly Gardening Record Book available on Amazon and Kindle.
Listen in on their Guest Podcasts to learn more about them.
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Our Children’s Book Series
Author of the new children’s book series: Clayton’s Garden Journey: Stories of Autism and Gardening. Including Stories on Growing, Harvesting, Sowing, Composting, Feeding The Birds and A Sowing, Growing, Weather and Seasons Weekly Gardening Record Book available on Amazon and Kindle
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