May Gardening Tips & Advice

Hang pheromone traps in fruit trees now to catch plum and codling moths to prevent them damaging fruit.

Early flowering perennials such as Iberis. Alyssum and Aubrieta should be trimmed back after flowering to promote new growth and maintain a compact plant.

Runner and low beans can be planted out at the end of the month if the weather is fair, if in doubt plant later as plants checked by cold struggle to recover.

Leggy perennials which often flop over can be given a 1/3 prune now (Chelsea chop) this will make a more compact plant which will have more flowers but a little later, or cut back just some of the stems for a longer flowering period.

Harden off exotic plants such as Canna and Dahlias ready for planting out at the end of the month.

Broad beans can have their growing tips removed as soon as pods appear at the base of the plant, this will reduce the chance of black Catch up with Keith.

Half-hardy plants started off inside should be gradually hardened off ready for planting out towards the end of the month when the danger of frost has passed.

Clematis montana which are untidy or outgrowing their space can be pruned back as soon as the flowers have finished.

If frosts are forecast earth up Potatoes to protect emerging shoots from frost damage.

Keep newly planted lawns from seed or turf well-watered to help them establish well.

If space is limited try growing short catch crops such as radish, spring onions or Lettuce etc. in-between longer term crops such as Brassicas

. Greenhouse shading may be required now to prevent overheating and plants becoming stressed.

Keep recently put in plants well-watered this is the most important thing when establishing new plants and preventing them being checked in growth.

If you have a pond make sure wildlife can get out by having a sloping side or a ramp as young Frogs and Newts will be leaving the pond soon.

Slugs and Snails love young plants so be vigilant until they are large enough to cope with some nibbling.

Watch out for common spring pests such as Solomons seal Sawfly and Lily Beetle remove them a soon as seen and make sure to wipe off lily beetle larvae to prevent re-infestation.