Gardening in Cyprus - Tasks for May

May begins to feel much warmer as summer is on the way. The sun shines nearly every day and the temperatures average a minimum of around 10c to 20c and a maximum of between 22-28c but there can sometimes be a heatwave with temperatures soaring to 32c. There can still be the odd rainy day, often a heavy thunderstorm, but these don't tend to last more than a couple of hours, after which the sun shines once again. 


Locals still tend to wear long trousers but the sweatshirts are removed for t-shirts. There is plenty to do in the garden to keep gardeners busy during the month.


Plant annuals, perennials and shrubs – including climbers.


Deadhead annuals and perennials to stimulate continuous flowering.


Keep the roots of fruit trees damp to ensure that forming fruit swells


Spray fruit to prevent problems with such things as leaf curl and fruit moths using appropriate organic sprays.


Weed strawberry beds and harvest the fruit as it ripens.


Plant out watermelon and melon plants and if not already done plant out marrows.


Plant out cucumber plants


Cover soft fruits with netting before they ripen – these are the only fruit other than grapes that we lose to birds if not protected.


Prune out lower growth on grape vines.


Plant out tomato plant.


Plant out peanuts (monkey nuts)


Sow leeks


Plant out sunflowers


Sow summer purslane


Sow rocket and salad leaves


Sow onion seeds


Sow butter beans and chickpeas


Happy gardening for the month and if you require any further advice or information go to 
http://sites.google.com/site/cyprusgardener/home