May Planting Guide to Continue Your Two-Bed Plan

This sheet builds on your March and April beds, helping you transition into warm-season planting while keeping both 3 ft × 2 ft beds productive and tidy.

1. Refreshing the Beds in May

Light Soil Care

• Remove finished crops: Early radishes, bolting spinach, or tired rocket.
• Top up compost: Add ½ inch of compost to maintain fertility.
• Loosen gently: Avoid disturbing roots of crops still growing well.
• Water deeply: May can be dry; moisten soil before sowing.

2. What to Plant in May

May opens the door to warm-season vegetables while still allowing some cool-season sowings.

Suitable Vegetables

• Leafy greens: Lettuce, chard, perpetual spinach
• Roots: Beetroot, carrots, radishes
• Legumes: French beans, runner beans, peas (final sowings)
• Brassicas: Kale, kohlrabi, broccoli (late May)
• Herbs: Basil (late May), parsley, coriander, dill
• Others: Courgettes (if you have space elsewhere)

3. Updated Bed Plans for May

These layouts assume you’ve followed the March and April plans and now want to transition into early summer cropping.

Bed 1: Greens & Heat-Tolerant Crops

• Front row (1 ft): Final sowing of radishes + spring onions
• Middle row (1 ft): Replace any bolted lettuce with chard or perpetual spinach
• Back row (1 ft): Sow kale or kohlrabi for summer and early autumn harvests

Notes:

• Chard thrives through summer and autumn.
• Kale sown now gives tender summer leaves.

Bed 2: Roots & Beans for Summer

• Front row (1 ft): Third sowing of beetroot
• Middle row (1 ft): Carrots continue; sow more if gaps appear
• Back row (1 ft): French beans or runner beans (dwarf varieties suit small beds)

Notes:

• Beans love warmth; May is ideal.
• Keep soil moist for carrots as temperatures rise.

4. May Planting Tips

• Water consistently: Young plants dry out quickly in May.
• Shade seedlings: Use a light cloth or cardboard on very hot days.
• Mulch: Helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Watch for pests: Slugs, aphids, and flea beetles become active.
• Support beans: Add canes or a small wigwam for climbing varieties.

5. At-a-Glance May Chart

Crop	Sow in May	Spacing	Notes
Lettuce	Yes	6–8 in	Choose heat-tolerant varieties
Chard	Yes	8–10 in	Long-season crop
Perpetual spinach	Yes	8 in	Heat-tolerant
Radish	Early May	2–3 in	Last sowings before heat
Beetroot	Yes	4–6 in	Succession sow
Carrots	Yes	Thin to 2–3 in	Keep moist
Peas	Early May	2 in	Final sowings
French beans	Yes	6 in	Loves warmth
Runner beans	Yes	8 in	Needs support
Kale	Yes	12 in	Summer leaves

6. Summary

May is the month your beds shift from spring to summer. With fresh sowings of beans, chard, and heat-tolerant greens, plus continued roots, your two compact beds will stay productive and colourful right through the warm months.