Open today 9:00 - 17:00
Open today 9:00 - 17:00
May brings rapid growth across the garden as temperatures rise and daylight increases. There is plenty to sow and plant, but late frosts can still damage tender growth, so local conditions should determine when summer bedding and frost-sensitive vegetables are moved outdoors.
Plant summer bedding into borders once the risk of frost has passed. In colder areas and exposed gardens, this may mean waiting until late May or even early June rather than relying on the calendar.
Prepare containers and hanging baskets for summer displays, but protect tender plants from cold nights until frost is no longer a risk. Check that containers have adequate drainage and use fresh peat-free compost where appropriate.
Continue direct sowing hardy annuals such as cornflowers, calendula and poppies into prepared soil. Thin seedlings as they develop to give the remaining plants room to grow.
Deadhead tulips and daffodils after flowering, but leave their foliage to die back naturally so the leaves can continue feeding the bulbs. Overcrowded clumps of daffodils and other spring-flowering bulbs can be lifted and divided after flowering.
Put supports around tall or floppy perennials before they become difficult to manage. Early support is soon hidden by new growth and reduces the risk of stems collapsing later in the season.
Sow courgettes, squash, pumpkins, French beans and runner beans under cover, or outdoors once the soil is warm enough and frost is no longer a threat. Outdoor sowing times vary considerably across the UK, particularly for beans and other warmth-loving crops.
Harden off indoor-raised courgettes, pumpkins, tomatoes and other tender crops before planting them outside. Wait until the danger of frost has passed, which can be considerably later in colder or exposed areas.
Earth up potatoes as their shoots grow, drawing soil around the stems and covering developing tubers. This prevents potatoes near the surface from being exposed to light and turning green.
Make small, regular sowings of lettuce, rocket, radishes and other quick-growing salad crops rather than sowing everything at once. Successional sowing helps provide a steady harvest and reduces the likelihood of gluts.
Continue sowing crops that need a long growing season or will provide harvests later in the year, including leeks and suitable winter brassicas. Cauliflowers and purple sprouting broccoli can also be sown now for cropping in the months ahead.
Keep newly planted fruit well watered during dry weather and check developing crops regularly for pests, diseases and competing weeds. Protect ripening fruit from birds where necessary without trapping wildlife.
Prune suitable spring-flowering shrubs such as flowering currants, Chaenomeles and Choisya after their flowers have faded. The exact treatment varies by species, so avoid treating all spring-flowering shrubs in the same way.
Tie in new growth on clematis, honeysuckle and other climbers before stems become tangled or damaged. Continue training climbing and rambling roses onto their supports as they grow.
Remove faded flowers from spring-flowering plants where appropriate to keep borders tidy and prevent unwanted self-seeding. Leave seedheads on plants where you want them for propagation or wildlife.
Group 1 clematis generally need little regular pruning, but established plants that have become congested or too large can be thinned or reshaped after flowering. Wait until flowering has finished and the risk of frost has passed.
Open greenhouse vents and doors on warm days to prevent temperatures rising excessively. Increase ventilation gradually as the weather warms while continuing to protect tender plants during cold nights.
Move seedlings and young plants into larger pots when they begin to outgrow their existing containers. Tomatoes and other fast-growing plants can quickly become cramped at this time of year.
Gradually acclimatise plants raised indoors or in a greenhouse before moving them permanently outside. Tender plants should still be brought under cover or protected if cold nights or late frosts are forecast.
Grass growth accelerates in May, so mow established lawns regularly as conditions require. Avoid cutting too short, and consider leaving selected areas unmown or mowing them less frequently to provide habitat for wildlife.
Hoe annual weeds during dry weather before they become established or set seed, and remove persistent perennial weeds carefully. Mulching bare soil can help conserve moisture as well as suppress further weed growth.
Check young plants regularly for slugs, snails and other pests, particularly vulnerable seedlings and newly planted crops. Early detection usually makes problems easier to manage without unnecessary treatment.
Keep recently planted trees, shrubs, perennials and other plants watered during dry spells while their roots establish. Water thoroughly rather than applying small amounts frequently.
Pots and hanging baskets can dry rapidly as temperatures rise and plants put on new growth. Check the compost rather than assuming rainfall has supplied enough water, as light rain may not penetrate far into a container.
Actively growing container plants may need supplementary feeding once the nutrients in their compost begin to run down. Match the fertiliser and feeding frequency to the plants being grown rather than routinely feeding every container in the same way.
Water early in the morning or later in the day when evaporation is lower, directing water towards the soil rather than routinely wetting foliage. Collect rainwater where possible for use during dry periods.
Provide clean water for birds and other garden wildlife as temperatures rise. Clean bird baths regularly and refill them during dry weather.
Consider allowing selected areas of grass and flowering plants to grow rather than keeping the entire garden closely cut. Longer grass and flowering plants provide food and shelter for a range of garden wildlife.
Before trimming a hedge, check it carefully for active nests and postpone the work if birds are nesting. Active nests and nesting birds must not be disturbed.
Visit us in Kington for plants, seeds, compost, pots, tools and garden care products, along with practical advice for your garden this month.
