May is one of the most rewarding months. The risk of frost has passed. Everything goes outside.

Temperatures are climbing, the soil is finally warm enough to welcome a full range of seeds and transplants. If you have been raising seedlings indoors since February or March, this is the month when they finally go out into the world.

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What to Sow Outdoors in May

With frost risk behind us, the range of what you can sow directly into the ground expands dramatically.

Direct sow outdoors now

  • 🥒 Courgettes and pumpkins. Two seeds per pot, remove the weaker seedling. Ready to transplant within three weeks.
  • 🫘 French beans and runner beans. 5cm deep, 15cm apart. Climbing and cropping by July.
  • 🥕 Beetroot. Direct sow in rows or containers. Thin to 10cm apart.
  • 🥕 Carrots. Sow thinly into deep containers or raised beds with loose, stone-free soil. Do not transplant.
  • 🌽 Sweetcorn. Sow in blocks rather than rows for good pollination.
  • 🌿 Basil. Sow once temperatures are reliably above 15°C.
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What to Transplant Outdoors in May

Harden off first. Leave seedlings outside in a sheltered spot for increasing periods each day, over 7 to 10 days, before planting out.
Transplant after the last frost

  • 🍅 Tomatoes. Sheltered south-facing spot or greenhouse. Space 60cm apart. Support immediately.
  • 🥒 Courgettes started indoors. Large pots or beds, once frost risk has passed completely.
  • 🌶️ Chillies and peppers. South-facing wall or polytunnel for best results.
  • 🍆 Aubergines. Warmest spot you have. Polytunnel or conservatory ideal.
  • 🧅 Leeks. Make a hole with a dibber, drop the seedling in, water without filling the hole.
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Italian Heritage Varieties to Sow in May

Our Franchi Sementi catalogue includes several varieties that are particularly well-suited to May sowing in Irish conditions. These open-pollinated heritage selections have been grown in Italy for generations and perform beautifully in a warm Irish May.

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Courgette Striato d’Italia
One plant is all you need. Produces from July until the first frost.

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The one thing to get right in May

Do not rush planting out. One cold night can set a tomato plant back by two weeks. Wait until the soil is warm, the forecast is clear, and the plants are hardened off. Patience in May pays off in August.

All varieties available at BloomySeeds. Sourced directly from Franchi Sementi, Bergamo. DAFM registered for sale in Ireland.

Darione
Darione
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