Top 10 jobs this month (according to RHS)
- Watch out for late frosts. Protect tender plants
- Earth up potatoes, and promptly plant any still remaining
- Plant out summer bedding at the end of the month (except in cold areas)
- Collect rainwater and investigate ways to recycle water for irrigation
- Regularly hoe off weeds
- Open greenhouse vents and doors on warm days
- Mow lawns weekly
- Check for nesting birds before clipping hedges
- Lift and divide overcrowded clumps of daffodils and other spring-flowering bulbs
- Watch out for viburnum beetle and lily beetle grubs
Well, the rain we’ve had recently has definitely benefitted the weeds, so it’s a good time to keep on top of them before they flower and spread their seeds across the garden. You might like to mulch your flower beds to keep in all the moisture from April’s showers.
It’s tempting as temperatures increase to put out tender plants, but be cautious (or ready with the protective fleece) as we can still get frosts during May.
It’s also a good time to put in plant supports before they send out too much spring growth. If you don’t you risk having to prop up floppy plants later in the summer, when they have become unruly.
Vegetable and herb beds should be taking shape and there is no excuse for buying herbs from the supermarket at this time of year if you have any space outside or on your windowsills! Strawberries can be planted in beds, tubs and hanging planters (see pictured)
Aphids can be a problem at this time of the year. Use biological controls inside greenhouses, and sprays on plants inside or in the garden, to keep them under control.
