Open today 9:00 - 17:00
Open today 9:00 - 17:00
May is one of the most rewarding months in the gardening calendar. With warmer temperatures, longer days, and gardens bursting into life, gardening in May is all about planting, nurturing, and preparing for a vibrant summer ahead.
Whether you’re growing your own vegetables, refreshing your borders, or adding colour to containers, these expert gardening tips will help you make the most of your outdoor space this month.
Brighten patios and entrances with summer bedding plants.
Best choices include:
👉 Expert Tip: In colder regions, wait until late May to avoid frost damage.
Once foliage has died back:
This keeps displays healthy and encourages better flowering next year.
Direct sow:
👉 These are easy to grow and provide long-lasting colour.
Sow in pots or trays:
Keep them warm in a greenhouse or on a sunny windowsill ready for planting out.
👉 Why it matters: Exposed potatoes turn green and become unsafe to eat.
Move young tomato plants into larger pots to encourage strong root growth.
Grow your own herbs easily:
Keep your kitchen garden productive by sowing salad leaves regularly throughout May.
Top varieties to grow include:
👉 Top Tip: Sow small batches every 2–3 weeks to ensure a continuous harvest all summer long.
For best results:
Start planning ahead by sowing:
Water regularly during early morning or evening to reduce evaporation.
Improve efficiency by:
👉 Rainwater is naturally better for plants than tap water.
Weeds grow rapidly in May.
👉 Pro Tip: Mulching beds helps suppress future weed growth.
Before cutting hedges:
⚠️ It is illegal to disturb nesting wildlife so always inspect first.
Once flowering finishes, prune:
Cut back flowering stems and remove dead or older wood to promote fresh growth.
Now is the time to trim early-flowering clematis such as:
Cut back as needed to maintain size and shape.
Container plants dry out quickly, even in wet weather. Light rain and short showers are unlikely to wet the compost more than a few centimetres down, so watering may still be needed even if it has rained recently.
👉 Expert Tip: Group pots together to reduce moisture loss.
From vibrant bedding plants and vegetable seedlings to compost, tools, and expert advice, we’ve got everything you need this season.
Visit us in Kington today and let us help you create a garden you’ll love all summer long.
