What to do in your garden in May.

GENERAL

• Weeding. Effort now relax a little later.Aim to prevent all weeds from setting seed. Hand weed or hoe.
• Apply slug pellets or form beer traps among Hostas and others considered a delicacy.

• Divide with two forks any remaining perennials. Watch for and retain seedlings of valued plants for bulking up if required.
• Start to form twiggy frameworks of pea sticks around perennials that need support. Sticks pushed well into the ground with branches bent over like an inverted basket is best. Aim for two thirds flowering height of the plant.
• At least feed borders with organic chicken pellets or Growmore. Feed roses with Rose fertiliser.
• Smarten lawn edges with an edging iron throwing the soil back into the bed. Finish off with lawn shears. Strimmers are best avoided unless you want ever expanding beds.
• Feed bulb areas to aid bulb regeneration for next year.
• Prepare drip irrigation systems

GREENHOUSE

• Keep ventilated on sunny days to prevent seedling stress. Damp down during the day if necessary to maintain a moist environment.
• Fill up pots in readiness for pricking out seedlings. Purchase fresh potting mediums and store in greenhouse so it is "warm".
• Vent greenhouse on suitable days to increase air movement and reduce risk of Botrytis attacking plants and seedlings or even possibly HEATSTROKE!!
• Any potted up Dahlias that are sprouting need their growing tips pinched out to promote side shoots and bushier plants. On sprouting tubers before potting up limit shoots from tuber to five by rubbing out any others.
• Leave cold frames open all night except when forecasted temperature below 5 degrees. Plant out late May or June.
• Pinch out growing tips of sweet peas to promote side shooting to increase display. Plant out late May or June.
• Feed spring flowering shrubs and apply a deep mulch over their roots.

PRUNING

• Consider pruning back spring flowering plants once over. Eg Forsythia, Clematis armandii, C. alpina.
• Complete pruning of Hybrid Tea and Floribunda roses. These flower on the current years growth.
• Wait until spring flowering shrubs have done their thing. Might as well get the benefit and then prune.
• Ideally finish cutting hedges to avoid upsetting birds during the nesting season - March to July. They have had a hard winter.
• Cut ivy and other self supporting climbers back from windows, doors, gutters etc. We aim for one brick length horizontally and 3 courses vertically. Ivy and Virginia Creeper will mark any newly painted window frames.
• Finish pruning back to two buds the whippy growth of Wisteria unless these are needed to extend the coverage in which case tie in any such growth. Keep the plant away from downpipes and gutters.

LAWNS

• Ideal time for turfing and lawn repairs. Localised dips and hollows holding water will benefit with spiking to help release the water that is not draining away. Use a fork to its full depth to insert holes. Note the areas for lifting and levelling as conditions allow.
• Apply selective weedkiller, moss killer and slow release fertilisers to boost your lawn as ground conditions allow. An application of Iron will help disease resistance. Your contractor must be qualified by NPTC or similar to apply any chemical.
• Scarify lawns to remove thatch and other debris as well as strengthen the grass plants. If using a slow release fertiliser this must be applied after scarification.
• Watch for localised brown spots within the turf which indicates disease, Red Thread, Dollar Spot etc. WE can treat all lawn diseases.

KITCHEN GARDEN /Vegetable plot JOBS

• If the weather allows dig over any non productive areas and add organic matter such as leaves. If you garden on clay the incorporation of grit will assist in making the soil easier to work in coming years.
• Watch for slugs and deal with as required.
• Sow parsnips to minimise canker which predominantly affects early sowings.
• Plant potatoes and onions now available in garden centres. Earth up those already planted and showing leaf. Pink fir apple types are best not earth up just cover with compost.
• Sow Leeks now for autumn harvest and also regular sowings of carrot, spring onion, and salad crops going forward.
• Keep all seeds damp until after germination to second leaf.
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• If you struggle to get the best out of your garden RING Damian 07831 302107 - now is the best time. Or the Office on 01435 883638

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