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May, she will stay.

Yes, we’re still listening to the song.

May is widely regarded as the start of the outdoor garden season. Many of us will be direct sowing and transplanting out this month. Just make sure your soil is warm and the weather looks good.

Stick around to the very end for special VIP newsletter content

Breaking Ground

It’s finally time to sow seeds and transplant seedlings.

But watch out! There is still a risk of frost at this time of year. Watch your local weather and provide frost protection to plants that need it.

Not sure what you should be planting yet?

May is a great time to start:

Direct-sow: Beans, Beets, Carrots, Cauliflower, Potatoes, and Sweet Corn

Transplant out: Celery, Tomatoes

Be careful when planting outdoors! Watch your local weather and adjust your plans as needed. This is a great place to hone your gardener’s intuition. And keep track of everything with our Garden Planning Guide.

Use your secret weapon:

Mulch!

Slow moisture evaporation and weed growth. Attract beneficial insects and guard against pests. Protect your soil from erosion and stop dirt from blowing around. Get all these benefits and more with your best friend in the garden: mulch!

Updates from Cottage Corners:

We have some exciting things coming.

We’re in the final stages of development for our upcoming new digital product! Designed to go hand-in-hand with our Garden Planning Guide, we are very excited to announce the Cottage Corners Garden Growing Guide!

You’ll be hearing from us a little more in the next few weeks as we get closer to the launch. Stay tuned for more info including early access for newsletter subscribers!

And just a reminder that the Honey Baby Sweatshirt is available again from our online store. Find it below:

AND NOW…

VIP Newsletter Content!

In Step 4 last month, we potted up our echinacea seedlings so they had sufficient space to keep growing. If you missed last month’s newsletter, you can click here to catch up.

Now for Step 5: Transplanting Out

The soil has warmed up and the 14-day forecast doesn’t predict overnight lows below 5C. We’ll still have to keep an eye on the weather in case it changes and a frost is possible but otherwise, we are ready to transplant our seedlings outdoors!

The Process:

First, harden off seedlings by placing them outside for a few hours near where they will be planted permanently. Gradually increase their time spent outdoors over 3-7 days. Please do not leave them out overnight and do not place them out on unseasonably hot or cold days. Protect them from wind and rain. Do not allow them to scald or dry out on hot sunny days.

When you’re ready to transplant, figure out the spacing by arranging your potted seedlings on their future garden bed. When you have the spacing you like, dig holes slightly larger than the pots the seedlings are in. Water the hole and then ease the seedling out of the pot, being careful not to pull on the stem and break the roots.

Place the root ball in the watered hole. Fill it in and press firmly around the base so it is sturdy. Voila!

That’s it! We hope you’re enjoying this special newsletter-only content. And if you want to make your own echinacea tincture, you can still join in!

It’s a little late to start from seed so call around to your local garden centres and nurseries to see if you can find seedlings!

Stay tuned for Step 6 in June’s newsletter.

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