In May, we do what we love—and what we love in Montreal is soaking up the warm, fragrant air of a city that, after six months of winter, is getting greener and greener. Since mid-April, greenery has been reborn in Montreal, and we’re going to do our part—with our balconies.
In addition to fresh herbs, fruits, and vegetables to eat this summer, we’re going to plant flowers—because they’re pretty, and because they’re food for the bees.
What should we plant in May?
In May, we’re going to plant honey-producing flowers to feed pollinators and grow vegetables to harvest this summer.
Nectar-producing plants are plants that produce an abundance of nectar and pollen and feed bees and other pollinators. This way, we support Montreal’s biodiversity. They are also perennials that will bloom from spring through fall. We’re planting;
- Thyme
- clover
- Rosemary
- Nasturtiums
- Zinnias
- ground ivy
It’s also time to plant or sow cucurbits (squashes), leafy greens, and sun-loving vegetables because the sun is slowly returning. We’re planting;
- squash
- Pumpkins
- Cucumbers
- Tomatoes
- Carrots
- Beans
- Kale and broccoli
- Zucchini
- Peppers
- eggplants
- chili peppers
- Leeks
- chili peppers
Planters, eggshells, and indoor gardening
For gardening newbies, those who don’t have much space, and those who want to green up their balcony or windowsill, there’s no shame in asking for help.
We can wander around RONA looking a bit lost, try to catch the florists’ attention at the indoor markets to ask them a million questions, or go online… We recommend stopping by the experts at Agriculture du Coin, who have all the info and equipment you need to start a real garden right in your living room.
To help our plants grow well, here are a few tips we can share right away;
- mix eggshells into the soil to recycle our breakfast into fertilizer
- place the seedlings next to the window so they can grow with natural light
- add clay pellets or small stones to the bottom of flower pots and planters so the soil stays well-drained
- Moisten the seedling soil with a water spray rather than a watering can
- wait for two large leaves to appear on a plant before transplanting the seedlings into containers and pots
- wait until there’s no more frost at night before putting our little plants on the balcony—for now, everything stays inside on the windowsill
