Top Gardening Tips for May
May gardening jobs for Spring.
As May rolls in, gardens across the UK begin to burst with life. With the longer days and warmer temperatures, it's the perfect time to roll up your sleeves and get to work outdoors. Whether you're growing food, tending to borders, or preparing for summer relaxation, here are key gardening tasks to tackle this month:
1. Plant Dahlia Tubers and Cannas
With the last frost behind us (in most areas), it's safe to plant tender beauties like dahlias and cannas. These tropical plants thrive in sun and well-drained soil. Plant dahlia tubers 10–15cm deep with the eye facing up, and place cannas just below the surface. They'll reward you with stunning blooms by mid to late summer.
2. Enhance Shady Borders
Make the most of shady corners by planting hardy shade-lovers like hostas and ferns. Choose a mix of textures and greens for a lush, layered effect. Keep an eye out for slugs, which are especially fond of tender new hosta leaves.
3. Support Climbing Plants
Now's the time to guide your climbers. Tie in the new shoots of clematis, wisteria, and honeysuckle using soft ties or garden twine. Regularly checking and securing these plants helps them grow in the right direction and prevents damage in windy weather.
4. Earth Up Potatoes
As potato shoots emerge, earth them up by mounding soil around the base. This protects the tubers from light (which turns them green and toxic) and encourages a bigger harvest. Keep repeating this as the plants grow.
5. Tidy Up Strawberries
Remove strawberry runners—those long, trailing stems—to keep your plants focused on fruiting rather than spreading. This little bit of maintenance results in larger, sweeter berries when the time comes to harvest.
6. Transplant Tomatoes
If you've been nurturing tomato seedlings indoors, it’s time to transplant them into large pots or grow bags. Choose a sunny, sheltered spot, and support the main stem with a cane or wire to encourage upward growth and air circulation.
7. Prep Garden Furniture
Get your garden seating and tables ready for summer by treating wood furniture with a fresh coat of wood preservative or oil. This helps extend their life and keeps them looking great for garden parties and barbecues.
8. Start Composting
Make your garden more eco-friendly by setting up a compost or worm bin. You can recycle kitchen scraps (like veg peelings and coffee grounds) along with garden clippings to create nutrient-rich compost that feeds your soil naturally.