Jobs In The May Garden

The days are getting warmer and longer. Summer is on its way and it’s time to tidy up spring plants and plant out summer flowers.

• ‘Harden off’ tender vegetables and bedding plants like geranium by putting them outside during the day and bringing them in overnight.
• Mow lawns weekly.
• Earth up potatoes weekly – this supports the stems, excludes light from tubers and encourages spuds to form.
• Open greenhouse vents on warm days but close them at night.
• Divide water plants this month.
• Clip evergreen hedges.
• Prune herbaceous plants that retained their top growth in winter, such as    Penstemons and Fuchsias.
• Tie in sweet peas to encourage them to climb.
• Inspect plants for pests and diseases.
• Protect strawberries with straw .
• Erect garden netting around soft fruit plants to prevent birds eating your crop.