Things To Do In May

IT’S FINALLY TIME TO BREATHE IN THE COOL, DAMP AIR OF LATE AUTUMN AND ENJOY THE CHANGING SEASONS AS SUMMER MOVES TOWARDS WINTER

- Jennifer Stackhouse

COOL & TEMPERATE

VEGIES

Brassicas, including kale, cabbage, broccoli and Brussels sprouts, are magnets for cabbage white butterflies and their larvae. They can destroy entire crops. Regularly inspect the leaves and stems for these very hungry green caterpillars and squash any you spot along with their eggs, which may be found under the leaves. The best way to stop this caterpillar invasion is to drape fine white mesh over the crop. Keep it off the foliage with stakes to create a mini shade-house effect. Lift the cover to water and fertilise the plants, then put it back.

In cool and inland areas, it’s time to be on frost alert. These icy reminders of winter are likely to begin this month. Frosts bring an end to pumpkin vines, sweet potatoes and even choko vines, but help clear up pests and weeds. Clear away frost-damaged annual vegies. Harvest any vegies that remain on vines and stems. The cleared space can be used for late-winter and spring crops.

Sow seeds of kale and other brassicas along with cool-season legumes such as peas and snow peas.

FRUIT