It’s been a good start to spring with much sun and settled weather. The soil is much warmer now and plants have almost exploded into life with foliage and colour. It’s a busy and exciting time for us gardeners as the growing season has begun and is full of opportunity! Though there’s always a chance of a late frost so something to be aware of. Here’s a look at some key tasks to tackle in the garden this month.
General Garden Tidy-Up
If you missed the chance to do this in April, make it a priority for early May and prepare the garden for the warmer months ahead:
- Clear away any remaining fallen leaves and debris from borders and flower beds.
- Mulch around shrubs and perennials with compost, well-rotted manure, or bark to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Apply a slow-release fertiliser to encourage healthy growth. Plants such as rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, and pieris benefit from an ericaceous fertiliser, as they prefer acidic soil conditions.
- Clean tools. Wipe them down, remove soil and debris, disinfect and allow them to dry completely. Then they’ll be ready for action again.
Planting
- Summer Bedding: Now’s the time to plant summer bedding plants like petunias, marigolds, and geraniums. Ensure they’re hardened off before planting outdoors to protect against any late frosts.
- Perennials: Introduce perennials such as delphiniums, lupins, and foxgloves to add height and colour to your borders.
- Hanging Baskets: Prepare hanging baskets with a mix of trailing and upright plants. Use good-quality compost and consider adding water-retaining crystals to keep them moist during warmer days.
Lawn Care
If not done already, there’s still time for spring lawn care:
- Set the mower blades high to avoid scalping the lawn and damaging new growth.
- Scarify the lawn to remove moss and thatch, improving air circulation and allowing better water absorption.
- Aerate compacted lawns by spiking them with a garden fork or using an aerator.
- If your lawn is looking tired lay new turf or sow a new lawn from seed.
Consider participating in “No Mow May” by letting your lawn grow to support pollinators like bees and butterflies. If you prefer a tidier look, leave a section unmown to create a mini meadow .
Feed the Soil
A generous mulch of homemade compost or well-rotted manure around plants will help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil quality.
Watering
While spring showers are common, it’s important to monitor soil moisture, especially for newly planted specimens and plants in pots. Ensure they receive adequate water to establish strong root systems.
Weeding
Weeding may seem like a chore, but it is time well spent to prevent a widespread problem later on, and certainly gives a huge amount of satisfaction for a job well done. A hoe can be a very valuable tool to make weeding as easy as possible, saving your back.
Pest Control
Keep an eye out for pests like aphids and slugs. Use environmentally friendly methods such as introducing beneficial insects or using organic deterrents.
Sowing Now
Root Vegetables: Direct sow carrots, beetroot, and parsnips into well-prepared soil. Thin seedlings as they grow to allow ample space for development.
Leafy Greens: Lettuce, spinach, and chard can be sown now for a continuous harvest throughout summer.
Beans and Courgettes: Plant out runner beans and courgettes but cover if there’s a late frost. Provide support for climbing varieties and ensure they’re in a sunny, sheltered spot.
Potatoes: Continue earthing up potatoes as they grow to protect developing tubers from light and to encourage a better yield.
Feed the Birds
Continue feeding birds with appropriate seeds and suet to support them during nesting season.
