Big seeds make big seedlings that grow fast so they should be ready to plant out after mid-May in the South if sown indoors now. In the North and Scotland, sow in a fortnight for June planting. They can be sown outdoors in the soil from next month if you wish, but will be at risk of weather and slugs.
Also raising plants in pots or cells allows a six-week opportunity for weeds to grow and then be polished off prior to planting, giving plants a weed-free start. In the South, bean seed fly can harm seeds unless covered with fleece after sowing until the first true leaves form.
Indoor sowings germinate best with some bottom heat from a heated propagator – this is especially true of French beans and cucumber family plants. Otherwise, germinate on a warm windowsill, but move to the best light as soon as possible.
Sunflowers and nasturtiums are classic flowers with large seeds and can be raised one seed to a small pot or cell in a cell tray. Pollen-free sunflowers won’t drip pollen but are of less wildlife value. Consider planting taller, 1.5m (5ft)sunflowers with a branching habit for a long flowering season, avoiding double flowers that are less helpful to wildlife than single flowers.
Others to consider include purple lablab beans, which climb a metre or more on a trellis or other support, Cerinthe major (honeywort) and sweet peas. Sweet peas are best sown early but they will do well enough sown now. A limited range of seedlings, mostly mixed colours, are offered in garden centres but other options must be seed-raised.
Runner beans with red, white or coloured flowers can be both ornamental and productive. New varieties, “Moonlight” for example, that were bred by crossing with French beans are much less sensitive to heat and drought in late summer but will still need some watering. French beans, both dwarf and climbing, can be sown now. Dwarf ones will crop by July.
French beans have a shorter cropping period than runners so more will need to be sown in June and late July. Pods include green, yellow, purple and speckled colours.
Here’s a summary of your gardening guidance for sweetcorn and cucumber family plants:
- The first sweetcorn sowing happens now, with additional sowings in mid-May and early June.
- Using just early varieties like “Swift” or “Earlibird” can yield good results and save money by avoiding multiple seed purchases.
- Growing one sweetcorn variety prevents cross-pollination, which can affect cob flavor.
- Ornamental corn, which matures more slowly than sweetcorn and is used for decoration or crafts, should be sown early and planted far from sweetcorn to avoid cross-pollination.
- For cucumber family plants, start sowing greenhouse cucumbers, melons, and watermelons (especially for those with polythene tunnels or in southern regions) now.
- Follow these with courgettes, cucamelons, outdoor cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, and vegetable marrows.
- Use larger volume cell trays or small pots (biodegradable paper pots are ideal) to minimize disturbance during planting.
- Ornamental gourds, which need a long growing season like ornamental corn, should be sown in April for fully ripened, eco-friendly winter decorations.
This plan supports healthy growth and optimal flavor for your crops.
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