May

Start planting out your summer bedding towards the end of the month now that the late frosts have finished. These include planting up your summer hanging baskets and planters. If you don’t have time to do these, we have a beautiful range in stock for you to choose from.

Now that your spring bulbs are dying back, don’t be tempted to cut the dead foliage off. Instead, dead head them and let them die back naturally and feed the bulbs with general purpose liquid fertiliser such as Tomorite – this will give an even better display next year.

Harden off half-hardy plants by leaving them outside during the day and bringing them back under cover at night for 7 to 10 days before planting outdoors.

Make sure that you feed your hanging baskets and container plants with balanced liquid feed every 2-4 weeks to promote healthy growth.

Install a water butt if you haven’t already, start recycling water and save on your water bill.

Prune the dead stems of early flowering clematis after flowering.

Tie in climbing plants such as roses and sweet peas, it is easier to do this early in the season.

Feed and water container plants – don’t forget about them. Just because the days may be cooler, doesn’t mean that they don’t need additional water. Make sure you use the right type of feed for your plants. If you’re unsure, pop in and speak to a member of the team.

Keep up with weeding your flower beds, borders and vegetable garden – this makes sure that all the nutrients in the soil go to your important plants.

Lift and divide overcrowded clumps of spring flowering bulbs.

Make sure you earth up your early potatoes to get the best possible crop.

Protect your soft fruit plants with netting to prevent the birds eating your crops.

Make sure you have supports in place for your runner beans and peas as they grow fast in the warmer days.

Feed your lawn to encourage healthy growth throughout the summer, if you have resown or turfed an area, be sure to keep it watered and moist at all times.

Cut back your evergreen hedges using shears or electric hedge trimmers.

And lastly – take some time to enjoy all your hard work and relax in your garden!