Getting the best from your garden in May

Thinking of doing some gardening this bank holiday weekend? Here’s a handy reminder of what type of garden tasks should be completed at this time of year….

Trees shrubs and flowers

• Stay on top of weed growth by hoeing- ensure that the kitchen garden and ornamental garden is hoed often and efficiently
• Plant summer bedding into containers with a good compost
• Mulch beds and borders to improve the moisture of the soil and to prevent weed growth
• Take cuttings of softwood from perennials such as Verbena, fuschia and geraniums to propagate for next year.
• Regularly inspect plants for pests looking particularly at the underside of leaves and shoot tips
• Cut back lavender plants by removing the old flower heads along with roughly 1 inch of new growth
• Prune spring flowering shrubs that have finished flowering
• Trim evergreen hedges that have overgrown
• Ensure that tender and younger plants are covered or moved into a greenhouse if frost is forecast

Fruits, Vegetables and Herbs

• Begin earthing up potatoes that were planted last month, do so as soon as they break through. Be careful not to harvest potatoes too earl; wait until there are fully visible flower trusses.
• Mulch under strawberry plants to act as a barrier between the moist and damp soil and the plant; this should help to prevent snails and mould. Feed the strawberry plants once a fortnight with Tomorite.
• Sow cauliflower and leeks that will be ready to eat in the winter.
• Sow bean varieties in a sunny position in well drained soil.
• Salad crops and coriander and parsley can all be sown in succession with about 10 days in between.
• Asparagus can be harvested when ready; spears no taller than 20cm.
• Harvest rhubarb by pulling at the stalks. Take between half and a third of the growth at one time, never any more than half.
• Water newly planted fruit trees well and encourage them to fully establish themselves by removing fruits and blossoms; allowing them to focus on growth.
• Protect fruit trees such as cherries from birds with netting.
• Once frosts are truly over plant out tomatoes.
• Take softwood cuttings of shrubby herbs.

Lawn, pond, greenhouse and wildlife

• Mow the laws once every week and apply a spring lawn feed if you haven’t already done so earlier this year.
• If you desire a short lawn, gradually reduce the height of your cut. Leave lawns that have been recently sown for at least 5-6 week
• Keep the greenhouse aerated by allowing airflow on sunny days.

For everything you need to get the best results in your garden, visit one of our Exeter Garden Centres today.