Garden jobs for May

GARDEN JOBS

Here are some of the top jobs to be getting on with in the garden this month...

1. Watch out for late frosts. Protect tender plants Frost can affect many plants, and is particularly damaging to tender new growth and blossom in the spring. The risks of frost damage can be reduced by taking some simple steps to protect the plants in your garden.

Mow your lawn weekly to keep it healthy

2. Earth up potatoes and promptly plant any still remaining Potato plants need ‘earthing up’ as they grow, to protect early shoots from frost damage and ensure the developing potatoes aren’t exposed to light, which turns them green and poisonous.

3. Plant out summer bedding at the end of the month Bedding plants provide a temporary decorative seasonal display for beds, borders, containers and hanging baskets. 5. Regularly hoe off weeds Run a hoe over a bed or between rows to kill most weed seedlings. Choose a dry day so seedlings dry out on the surface rather than re-root into moist soil.

4. Water early and late to get the most out of your water, recycle water when possible Water is a limited and valuable resource, but is also essential for plant growth. To make the most of water, collect what you can rather than use tap water. Store and use it safely. 6. Open greenhouse vents and doors on warm days Greenhouses can get very hot very quickly and can easily kill off fragile young plants.

7. Mow lawns weekly – but consider leaving some areas uncut for wildlife A good mowing regime

Plant out summer bedding once the risk of frost has passed is an important part of maintaining a healthy lawn. The cutting height and mowing frequency will depend on the look you want to achieve, whether it be a close-cut ‘classic’ lawn or longer-grassed wildlife lawn.

8. Check for nesting birds before clipping hedges Now is a good time to clip hedges to maintain their shape but be sure to check for nesting birds before you start.

9. Lift and divide overcrowded clumps of daffodils and other spring-flowering bulbs Dig them up after flowering, split into smaller groups and replant to establish new colonies. New clumps should settle in quickly and flower the following year.

10. Watch out for viburnum beetle and lily beetle grubs Viburnum beetle overwinters as eggs and these hatch in late April-early May. Check susceptible plants frequently from spring onwards so action can be taken before a damaging population has developed.