top of page
Search

Market Garden Diaries - May 2025

Updated: May 7




May is a beautiful, busy month in the Market Garden … a true moment of transition between the steady growth of winter crops and the lush promise of the summer ahead.


Over winter, some of our hardiest vegetables have thrived, and we’re now enjoying the rewards of patience and good preparation. Leeks, Chard, Kale and Parsnips have all been growing steadily in the polytunnel through the colder months and are now ready to harvest. The polytunnel is really helpful up here in Scotland where the temperatures are generally a little cooler, and it allows us to extend our short growing season at both ends of the year. If you’re looking for ways to use chard in your cooking, we’ve got a delicious recipe to share with you here. It’s always a joy to see the resilience of these crops and they remind us that even in the quietest seasons, life continues to thrive.



Elsewhere, new growth is gathering pace. Potatoes, planted earlier in the year are coming along strongly and are being carefully mounded over to protect their tender shoots. Strawberries are beginning to flower, giving us the first glimpse of the sweet harvest to come, and the herb beds are looking vibrant and full of life. Some of our herbs will be available to buy at The Potting Shed this month, perfect for adding fresh flavour to your kitchen or planting into your own garden.


Much of the work right now is about preparing and nourishing the soil for the growing season ahead. We’re cutting back old growth, composting plant material, and layering fresh compost onto the beds to build soil health and feed the new crops. Although we’ve enjoyed some spells of good weather recently, May in Scotland is always unpredictable and there’s still the risk of frost, particularly in our fairly open site. As a result, many of our seedlings are still being carefully nurtured in the polytunnel, waiting for the warmer days of June before they make their way into the outdoor beds.





Outside, more no-dig beds are being prepared which is part of our ongoing commitment to building healthy soil structure and encouraging biodiversity. Given our location, with a fairly exposed site and the persistent challenge of cold ground and strong winds, we’re also using cloches and fleece to gently warm the soil ahead of planting. Every little bit of shelter helps to give our young plants the best possible start.


As always, the local wildlife is keeping us on our toes. Pheasants, rabbits and hares are all keen to sample the market garden offerings so we’re trialling different tactics including careful netting to keep them at bay without harming them.


At this time of year, the most important things we can do is be patient. Nature doesn’t hurry and neither should we. Trusting the process, tending the soil and working in step with the seasons is what makes the work so rewarding.


We’re excited for what’s ahead and we look forward to sharing the journey, and the harvest, with you.


~ Fossoway Stables ~


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Want to keep up to date with everything happening here at Fossoway Stables?


SUBSCRIBE TO THE BLOG/NEWSLETTER - www.fossowaystables.com

JOIN OUR WHATSAPP BROADCAST CHANNEL - https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VarfHJL6WaKoYmfox3R

 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page