New Urban Farmer: read Celia's first report from her allotment this year

As May comes, things get very busy down on the lottie. Remember, though, if all you have is a windowsill or a few patio pots, you can still enjoy your own harvest if you plant seeds now — especially lettuces, herbs, tomatoes, and chillies.

1) Phone up your local council and ask for some free compost to be delivered to your site. Most councils will provide this service to paying allotment holders and, if you are lucky (like me), you could have a delivery to your site by the end of the week.

For your private garden, check out www.soil-compost.co.uk.

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2) Get vacant beds ready for new seedlings by continuing to enrich the soil with compost. If you have masses of the good stuff, simply lay a thick layer over your weeded beds.

If you are trying to stretch out a small amount of compost, fork it through the first six to 12 inches of topsoil. Don’t tread on it, remove weeds and sift out pebbles. Leave it for a few days and let the worms work their magic.

3) Sow seeds in trays on the windowsill or in the greenhouse. Recycle take-away containers by stabbing little holes in the bottom with the tip of a knife, and use the lid as a saucer.

Fill with potting compost and plant seeds. Water well and cover with cling film until the seedlings just start to emerge. Use a spray bottle to water daily.

Sow now in trays or pots: Aubergines, Basil, Broccoli, Chillies, Courgettes, Cucumbers, Endive, Kale, Leeks, Peas, Pumpkins, radicchio, Runner beans, Squashes, Summer cabbage, Tomatoes

4) Sow seeds outdoors directly in the ground:

Beetroot, Broad beans, Carrots, Cauliflower, Chard, Coriander, Dill, Fennel (bulb), French beans, Late garlic, Lettuce, Mint, Pak choi, Parsley, Peas, Rocket, Runner beans, Salsify / scorzonera, Sorrel, Spinach (true), Spring onions, Swede, Sweetcorn, Turnip

5) Sow these plants outdoors now if they are already established or hardy seedlings:

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Globe artichokes, Kale, Potatoes (maincrop), Strawberries

6) Protect tender plants, such as the above. Cut large plastic water bottles in half. The bottom functions as a mini-greenhouse, enclosing seedlings with the cut end wedged into the soil. The top half can also be used: cut off the neck and place securely around the plant. It will serve as protection from wind and some pests. Don’t forget to water!

7) Cut asparagus on a daily basis. May is its gala month, and by mid-June you must stop harvesting to keep the plants healthy. Cut two or three spears from each crown when eight to twelve inches high. Use a small kitchen knife, dig under each spear to a two-inch depth and slice off. Eat as soon as possible for the best flavour.

8) Earth up potatoes. If you’ve planted some early potatoes, they will soon start to emerge. Keep burying them in soil for a few weeks to establish healthy plants and deep roots which are safe from light. You may end up with quite pronounced trenches between rows.

9) Mulch fruit bushes with bark chippings, grass cuttings, or straw. This means laying the mulch around the base of the bushes to conserve moisture, deter weeds and hold in warmth.

10) Make room in your freezer. May can be a surprisingly sparse month in the fresh produce department as everything is just coming to life. It’s now time to feast on all of last year’s veg that you so diligently stored in the freezer and make room for this year’s bounty.

www.celiabrooksbrown.com

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