May is a joyful time in the garden — everything’s growing fast, flowers are blooming, and there’s plenty to do to keep things looking their best. Whether you’re planting out, pruning back or just pottering, it’s a great month to enjoy the buzz of a garden in full swing.
Not sure what something means? Our Garden Glossary blog is here to help – it’s full of useful terms to give you a helping hand in the garden.
Flower & Shrub Care
- Plant summer bedding – Once the risk of frost has passed, now’s the time to plant summer bedding like petunias, geraniums, and cosmos. Our stock is constantly replenished with many varieties and colours to brighten your space.
- Harden off tender plants – Gradually acclimatise plants like dahlias, tomatoes and courgettes to outdoor life by placing them outside during the day and bringing them in at night.
- Support tall perennials – Add plant supports to tall-growing perennials like delphiniums and lupins before they flop.
- Deadhead spring blooms – Continue deadheading tulips and daffodils, but leave the foliage to die back naturally.
- Trim evergreen hedges – Give box, privet and other evergreen hedges their first light trim of the year.
- Divide spring perennials – Lift and divide overcrowded clumps of primulas and other spring-flowering perennials whilst you know where they are!
Fruit & Vegetable Gardening
- Plant tomatoes outdoors – Once frosts are past, move tomato plants to their final positions in grow bags, pots or beds.
- Sow fast growers – beetroot, carrots, runner beans, courgettes and french beans can go straight into the soil now.
Mulch around fruit trees – Help retain moisture and suppress weeds with a good mulch around apple, plum and cherry trees. - Pinch out broad beans – Pinch out the tops of broad beans once the first pods appear to reduce aphid problems.
- Feed strawberries – Use a high-potash feed and watch for flowers turning into fruits.
General Garden Maintenance
- Weed little and often – Weeds thrive now, so a quick hoe once or twice a week will keep things manageable.
- Fill hanging baskets – We love using trailing plants like lobelia and trailing petunias, and keep them well watered.
- Keep on top of watering – May can bring dry spells, so water containers and new plants regularly, ideally in the early morning or evening.
- Clean garden furniture – If you haven’t already, get your garden furniture and barbecues cleaned up and ready for summer use.
Lawn Care
- No Mow May – Consider leaving all or part of your lawn uncut this month to support pollinators and let wildflowers thrive. Dandelions are a particularly good superfood for bees and butterflies. It’s a small step that can make a big difference for biodiversity.
- Mow regularly – For any areas you are mowing, keep on top of growth with a weekly cut. Lower the blade slightly as the month goes on.
- Edge borders – Crisp up lawn edges for a tidy finish and to stop grass creeping into beds.
- Treat weeds and feed – Apply lawn weed and feed products to tackle broadleaf weeds and encourage lush growth.
Pest & Disease Control
- Watch for slugs and snails – Young shoots are a magnet for these munchers. Use barriers or wildlife-friendly deterrents.
- Check roses – Look out for aphids and blackspot. Treat early to keep plants healthy.
- Keep an eye on containers – Containers dry out quickly and are more prone to pests. Inspect regularly.
By staying on top of these tasks, you’ll set the stage for a vibrant and productive garden in the months to come. Happy gardening!
For more tips and all your gardening needs, visit us at Haddenham Garden Centre.