May is one of the most exciting times of the year to be out and about in the garden, both visually and practically, thanks to longer days and drier conditions.
It’s a month when we properly start to see the rewards from our early gardening efforts. New life is beginning to burst through – be it the first dahlias tubers sprouting from soil or colourful peonies waving their vibrant pink heads in the flowerbeds. It’s also a great time to lay the groundwork for the season ahead with direct sowing of vegetables and cut flower garden favourites.
With the weather being warm but not scorching, it’s a great time to give the garden some TLC with more labour-intensive jobs, before the summer months start. Lawns can be aerated and re-seeded (just make sure you do this at the start of the month), while late-summer flowering perennials can be pruned to extend their season.
Read on for all the gardening jobs to take on this May, for an abundant garden for months to come…
Repair your lawn (if necessary)
The beginning of May is the last time to sow a new lawn – otherwise it’s best to wait until later in the year, ideally autumn.
Alternatively, use turf instead of grass seed for a faster result, then avoid stepping on patched areas and keep them well watered. You can also feed your lawn now.
Water regularly
Any new plants will need a consistent watering routine, especially during dry spells, to help them settle into their new space. If it's particularly warm, established plants will need watering too, especially if any are planted in containers.
Give your herbs a haircut
Perennial herbs such as chives, lovage, fennel and marjoram need a chop if they’re looking a little leggy, and they’ll freshen up again in no time.
Try the ‘Chelsea Chop’
Now is the time to prune late-summer flowering perennials such as helenium and echinacea to extend their flowering season later in the year, and create much sturdier plants. Simply be brave and cut plants back by a third. This hack should be carried out around the third week of May – a similar time to the annual RHS Chelsea Flower Show – which is why it's been affectionately nicknamed the 'Chelsea chop'.
Monty Don swears by this particular gardening job for longer-lasting flowers. In his blog, he writes: “The Chelsea Chop is a way of extending the flowering season of late-flowering herbaceous perennials such as heleniums, sedums, Lysimachia or solidago (Golden Rod).
“If you have several clumps of these plants then cut one of them about halfway up the existing growth. If you have just one big clump then reduce just one-third of the plant in this way."
Stay on top of garden weeds
Weeds can quickly take over the garden by the time May arrives and will rapidly spread everywhere if not kept in check, especially if the weather is a combination of warm temperatures and rain. Keep on top of this by hoeing regularly and not letting weeds multiply.
Tidy up your spring-flowering plants
Snip off any remaining faded bulb flowers such as tulips and camassia, and tidy up spring bedding such as wallflowers if they’re starting to flop. Gather up the spent blooms of camellias and magnolias, and put them in the compost bin.
Give wisteria some love
Wisteria plants are in full bloom in May, and if the weather is hot will quickly dry out, so they should be well watered to keep the flowers coming. Feed with Growmore or Fish, Blood and Bone, according to the instructions on the packet.
Read our guide on where to see wisteria at its peak in the UK
Help your fruit bushes and trees along
Pollinating insects need access to the flowers on fruit bushes, so if you have fruit cages open the doors or raise the netting to allow them access. Strawberries will put their full energy into producing fruit if you remove the runners which start to fan out from plants around this time. If you have apple and plum trees, it’s a good idea to start using pheromone traps in May to help control pests.
Get pests under control
On the topic of pests, ensure you’re protecting plants from unwanted garden visitors – like slugs and snails. Country Living's gardening columnist Jo Thompson has a 7-step foolproof plan – having refined her ‘many-pronged defence’ over the years. It involves using copper tape, mesh, nematodes and more to cover all bases.
Maintain climbing plants
May sees climbing plants start to sprawl over the garden. Tie in the stems of climbing plants such as roses, clematis and honeysuckle to make sure they are secure, as they will be putting on lots of growth this month. Check climbing vegetables such as French beans and peas too, as they too will be growing rapidly. Make sure tomato plants are supported.
Plant up your containers
Choose a selection of favourite plants for pots, window boxes and hanging baskets. Use water-saving gel and slow-release plant food to help keep the plants moist and nourished throughout the summer season. Move them into their final position, and keep them well-watered, so they get off to the best possible start.
Be sure to read our guide to the best containers for small spaces and patios for a colourful space, whatever your plot size.
Gardening must-haves
Filberts of Dorset Gardeners Hand Salve
Haywards Garden Bee and Butterfly Water Stations, Garden Décor, set of three colourful bee water cups .
Home Sussex Handmade Peg Apron
Painted Garden Label/Marker
The Fae Potter Wild Bird Feeder ceramic hanging
WhinnyPoo WhinnyPoo Box of 3 Plant Feed
Lizzie is the Daily Editor at Country Living, where you’ll find her writing about unique property market finds and dreamy UK staycation spots. Her specialisms include interiors, property, wildlife, travel, slow living and more. Previously, she’s written for Metro, Evening Standard, Ideal Home, Woman & Home and various other home and lifestyle titles. Lizzie studied English Literature at University of Liverpool, where she also was a writer and editor for her uni paper.
