Your garden in May

Spring is well under way now. The spring bulbs are fading and the herbaceous border is growing in leaps and bounds. The May days are longer and warmer and the risk of frost should have gone by now. The idea of getting out in the garden during the fine weather and ‘ticking things off the list’ becomes much more appealing. Spring flowering bulbs and plants will need clearing in preparation for summer bedding, and its promise of colour to come. But don’t get overwhelmed by those seemingly endless list of gardening jobs – here are our three most important…

Plant summer bedding

May is the month to get your summer bedding started in borders and containers. If planting borders lift out old plants run a fork through the soil and add a good fertilizer before replanting summer plants. Try to fill pots and containers in the position they are going to stay – they can become heavy when filled! Water retaining crystals will help to reduce the amount of watering and keep the compost moist during warmer periods. Don’t forget to feed with fertiliser during flowering period.

Prune evergreen hedges and spring flowering shrubs

There’s no better time to give evergreen hedges a trim to get them looking neat and tidy. Smaller hedges can be tackled with a pair of shears, but you may need a hedge trimmer for larger bushes. Prune any shrubs that flowered in spring as soon as they have finished flowering. Broom, forsythia and ribes all need pruning now.

Remove around a third of the oldest flowering stems – this will make the plant look better and encourage new growth to create a good display next year. Be sure to check large shrubs and hedges for nesting birds before you start chopping!

Plant out young veg

Marrow, courgette and sweetcorn are all ready to be sown in the greenhouse. The likes of brussel sprouts, kale, peas and swede should be okay covered outside. If you have already grown tomatoes, move them outside to harden them off. Keep them outside during the day and bring them back inside at night for two weeks to acclimatize them.

Looking good this month...Geranium

Why should you plant them?

Geraniums make popular bedding plants – either in the garden or in pots and hanging baskets. They thrive outdoors in the summer but are also great for using a houseplant. They look good planted in a group in a flowerbed all by themselves or mixed in with other annuals – the perfect plant for any spot that calls for a splash of colour throughout the season.

If you have potatoes that are starting to emerge, pull a few inches of earth around the plant with a rake to give the plant more soil to grow.

Enjoy your garden! How should you plant them?

Geraniums need to be grown in well draining soil or if planting in pots a good quality free draining compost. They should be located in a bright spot in the garden that gets plenty of sunshine. Soil should be allowed to dry between watering to avoid root rot.