May

May is when plant growth seems to speed up and spring turns into early summer. 

At the beginning of the month daffodils and tulips are still in their full glory, but by the end of the month large-flowered clematis will begin to open their spectacular blooms.  In sheltered places the first roses will begin to unfurl.  Many flowering trees, shrubs and climbers are at their best in May, including such favourites as cherries, lilac and wisteria. Gardeners with acid soils can enjoy the fabulous flowers of rhododendrons and azaleas; those on limey soils needn’t go without as there are dwarf varieties that will grow happily in containers. With all this growth going on there’s lots to keep you busy as you prepare for the long hot days of summer.

The weather in May has been rather disappointing over recent years with an awful lot of rain. With climate change making the weather rather unpredictable it’s hard to know what to expect. Traditionally, May has seen rising temperatures both day and night, and this is something that has remained fairly constant.  However, sharp frosts can still occur at night, and at this time of year they can cause a lot of damage to fruit blossom and to tender plants that have been planted out. Buy a roll of horticultural fleece if you haven’t already got some, listen to the forecast each day and if frost is predicted cover or bring in any vulnerable plants.

The amount of sunshine should be on the up and wind should be calming down. Windy spells can soon dry out the soil, especially if there hasn’t been much rain, so do keep an eye on containers and newly planted items to make sure they don’t dry out.

Snow is rare but not unknown in May. Hail is more likely, and this can do a lot of damage to blossom in a very short time. Be ready with the fleece just in case.

	Essential Jobs Checklist for May Be ready to protect plants against sudden frosts Water all new plantings if weather is dry Trim spring-flowering perennials Finish pruning spring-flowering shrubs Tidy up foliage of spring bulbs and mark Harden off summer bedding plants Plant up hanging baskets and patio pots Keep on top of pests and weeds – including slugs Trim hedges and feed them Trim topiary and feed Keep sowing vegetables out of doors Continue to sow tender vegetables under cover Check greenhouse ventilation and provide shading if necessary Continue pruning trained plums and cherries Mulch strawberries with straw or mulch mats Cut lawns weekly and blitz lawn weeds Remove duckweed and blanket weed from ponds		Around the Garden and Home Flower Garden - May Kitchen Garden - May Containers - May Under Cover - May House and Conservatory Plants - May Lawns - May Ponds and Water Features - May
	Last Chance to… Sow half-hardy annuals Plant summer bulbs