In May, we can all see that it is truly springtime in the garden. Now the English garden begins to flourish with the warmer weather and longer daylight hours. This is a crucial month for gardeners, as it marks the transition from spring to early summer. There are numerous tasks to be completed to ensure the garden remains healthy, vibrant, and productive throughout the season.
One of the main tasks is planting out tender annuals and summer bedding plants. By May, the risk of frost has usually passed in most parts of England, making it safe to plant petunias, marigolds, cosmos, and other frost-sensitive varieties. Hanging baskets and containers should also be filled now and regularly watered and fed for a strong start.
May is also prime time for lawn care. Lawns should be mowed regularly, ideally once a week, with the mower blades set higher early in the month and gradually lowered as the grass strengthens. Edging lawns for a neat appearance and applying a spring-summer feed will promote thick, lush growth.
Weeding becomes a priority as warmer temperatures and spring rains encourage rapid weed growth. Regular hoeing and hand-weeding help keep beds tidy and reduce competition for nutrients. Mulching with compost or bark not only suppresses weeds but also retains soil moisture as the days get warmer.
In the vegetable garden, it’s time to sow and plant out crops such as courgettes, beans, sweetcorn, and salad greens. Harden off seedlings before planting to prevent shock. Continue successional sowings of carrots, beetroot, and lettuce to ensure a continuous harvest.
Pruning is another important task. Early-flowering shrubs like forsythia and flowering currant should be pruned once their blooms fade. This encourages healthy new growth and ensures a good display next year. Deadheading spent flowers on perennials and bulbs also encourages further flowering and tidier beds.
May is ideal for dividing spring-flowering perennials and repotting container plants if they’ve outgrown their pots. Regular watering and feeding begin to take center stage this month, especially for plants in containers or greenhouses.
May is a month of growth and maintenance. be sure to enjoy springtime in the garden and lay the foundation for a flourishing garden through the summer.