Garden Tips for May

may

A classic scene from May – a carpet of Bluebells.

Beware of ground frosts especially in the north and unsheltered parts. Be ready with some fleece or in an emergency some newspaper to cover delicate plants. Have seedlings and pots on convenient trays for moving in and out of safe frost free places.
A big job is hardening off plants getting them accustomed to the outside weather. Make use of cold frames and adjust plants gradually to outdoor temperatures.
Planting out seedlings is another time consuming but rewarding job. Look at recommended width for planting depth, it is easy to forget how big seedlings can grow. However, if slugs are a problem you could plant out thickly and leave room for natural wastage.
As Plants spring into life, unfortunately so do weeds. On dry days scour the garden with a hoe. Deep rooted weeds may need more persistent treatment of digging and weedkiller. See: Dealing with Weeds

may

Red Poppy makes big impact in late May.

Keep a look out for early infestations of aphids. If you lack natural organic controls, you may need to resort to pesticides. Alternatively you can manually wash off aphids with power spray or fingers. At this time of the year, aphids can soon make plants look unsightly.
The Warm wet weather is much liked by slugs. Try these slug tips for keeping their population under control.
You will be now mowing the lawn, you can slowly move the blades closer to the grass. You can also start feeding your lawn with a recommended lawn feed.

may

It is not too late to sow annuals in pots or even direct into soil. They will catch up and provide good late season colour.
Now is a good time to start providing support for climbers like Sweet Peas. Natural pea sticks make an attractive frame for them to grow up. In the beginning climbers may need a little attention and tie to stakes.
If the garden is looking a little bare, you can always buy in some bedding plants.

Continue to keep on top of weeds and pests.
Protect growing crops from birds. e.g. strawberry netting and netting for cabbages and brasicas.
Sow runner beans, cucumbers, marrows and tomatoes.

After flowering it is advisable to deadhead spring flowering bulbs like daffodils and tulips. This saves energy for the bulb and next seasons plants. It also makes them look more attractive. Don’t forget you need to leave their foliage to die back. Only when the leaves start to yellow is it safe to cut them back to ground level.

Gardeners Tips