The May Tease: Leaf Scald, Conservatory Takeovers & Too Much Squash
May is the month of the great deception. After late 2°C nights and some tomato leaf scald, the seedlings have officially commandeered the conservatory again. Here is why I'm battling a potting-on bottleneck, hoarding too much squash, and waiting for the Bank Holiday.
May is the month of the great deception. You get two glorious, sun-drenched afternoons that trick you into thinking summer has arrived, followed by nights that plummet to 2°C, leaving you sprinting outside in your slippers to rescue the seedlings.
The "After-Hours" plot is currently in the middle of this logistical nightmare. The house is full, the greenhouse is full, and the weather simply refuses to cooperate. Here is the mid-May check-in.
1. The Hardening Off Shuffle & The Great Tomato Scald
Hardening off plants when you work a normal job is an absolute faff. You do the "morning shuffle"—lugging trays outside before your commute—hoping they get some breeze without getting battered.
I thought we were finally at the stage where things could stay outside permanently, but then the cool weather hit. With temperatures dropping to 2°C, I had to execute an emergency retreat and officially commandeer the conservatory once again.
To make matters worse, I got slightly caught out on their first proper day out. A few of the tomatoes suffered some leaf scalding from the sudden direct sun. They should bounce back, and I’m praying their growth isn't too stalled, but it is a classic spring humbling.
And I have a lot to lose. This year’s tomato line-up is frankly ridiculous: Bloody Butcher, Lulu's Best Ever, Golden Queen, Sunbaby, Princepes de Borghese, Tumbler F1, Roma, Golden Sunrise, Gardener's Delight, Cuor di Bue, Inca F1, and Moneymaker. If I have to move these trays back and forth one more time, I might lose my mind.
2. A Confession: It Really Is Too Much Squash
Every winter, I sit down with a seed catalogue and make sensible plans. And every May, I look at my seedling trays and realise I have completely lost control of the squash situation.
This year, I have sown: Red Kuri, Blue Hubbard, Butternut, Tahiti Melon squash, a random white pumpkin, and a highly speculative Atlantic Giant (because why not?). I’ve also got Trombetta and ball-style courgettes ready to go.
It really is too much squash for one person to reasonably manage. But the motivation is there: I actually still have a Crown Prince squash stored from last year's harvest that is perfectly edible. When a crop gives you that kind of shelf life, it’s hard not to get carried away.
3. The Potting-On Bottleneck
Because the weather isn't playing ball, everything is backing up. The seedlings have outgrown their recycled plastic cups, but it’s still not quite warm enough for everything to go out into the ground.
This has created a massive potting-on bottleneck. The brassicas in particular are screaming for some bigger pots and a bit of encouragement, but finding the space, the compost, and the hours in the day to up-pot them all is proving to be a serious challenge.
4. The Grand Deployment: Waiting for the Bank Holiday
So, what is the plan? We hold the line.
Despite the dusty paths at the plot, it is simply not warm enough for the tender summer crops to face the "wild west" of the allotment just yet. The grand deployment is officially scheduled for the late May Bank Holiday. That long weekend will be the "Do or Die" moment where the tomatoes, squash, and courgettes finally go into the ground, freeing up the conservatory and my sanity.
📊 The 2026 Harvest Tracker (Target: 100kg)
The tracker has taken a serious jump this week! We are officially moving out of the "gram by gram" phase and into some proper weight. Those 35 turnips I sowed back in March are finally coming good and contributing some much-needed bulk to the total.
- Current 2026 Total: 4.680kg
- Remaining to Target: 95.320kg
The Turnip Dilemma: What to do with the glut?
Since the turnips are currently powering the harvest total, I’ve had to get creative in the kitchen. If you're struggling with a spring glut, here is what is working for me:
- The Peppery Crunch: Sliced thin and raw into wraps or sandwiches.
- The Roast: Tossed in oil and salt for a nutty, sweet side dish.
- The "Allotment Slaw": Grated with fresh parsley and a dash of lemon juice.
Is anyone else’s house currently overrun with squash seedlings? Have you braved planting out yet, or are you waiting for the Bank Holiday too? Let me know in the comments!
