Gardening in May – what’s on the agenda?

May is when your garden sees one of its most stunning transformations. With pleasant temperatures, plenty of rainfall, and even a little glimpse of sun, gardening in May takes on a whole different life!

And with temperatures around 15-20^oC, your garden should finally be a lush green, and your lawn should be thriving.

So, what are the essential garden tasks in May? Read on for the lowdown!

What are the essential garden tasks in May?

Here’s your tick list of garden tasks to complete this month:

• Lawn care essentials
• Planting flowers
• Fertilising your plants and lawn
• Composting
• Cleaning your garden furniture
• Sit back and enjoy!

Gardening in May – Lawn care

For me, lawn care is an integral part of May gardening. However, I already did a lot in April: I scarified, overseeded, and fertilised in April. If you didn’t get the chance to complete these tasks, it’s not too late.

So, if you’re still to carry out these essential tasks, follow these tips:

Removing moss

Moss suffocates your lawn, so if it has developed over the winter, it’s time to clear it from the topsoil. Use a scarifier or rake to remove the moss, giving your soil more air while helping develop a nice, dense turf.

For best results, use a 2-in-1 moss killer and lawn fertiliser a week before scarifying – that way, the moss will be easier to remove.

We have tons of articles about scarifying, so if you’re unsure what you’re doing, check out our expert guides!

Overseeding

It’s common for your lawn to develop bald patches over the winter, especially if there’s a proliferation of moss. Fill those patches with new lawn seed, and wait for a couple of weeks for the new seed to germinate.

Check out our expert guide to overseeding.

Mow regularly

Now that the weather has improved, your grass plants will be well into their vigorous growth period. So, mow twice a week if you can in May so that the lawn develops greater density.

While it might feel counterintuitive, mowing actually boosts your lawn’s growth, helping it develop resistance for the hot summer months.

Check out our expert’s guide to mowing your lawn for all the info.

Water if necessary

It has rained quite a lot in the UK this May, but if there’s been little rain in your areas, make sure you provide enough water to prevent yellowing or dying grass blades.

Check out our expert’s guide to watering your lawn for more details.

Gardening in May – planting flowers

May is an excellent month for flowers. But what to plant? Depending on which flowers you want to fill your garden with, the merry month of May is ideal for planting:

• Marigolds
• Targets
• Petunias
• Lupins
• Pansies
• Primroses
• Zinnias

In general, anything you find in supermarkets or garden centres is going to bring life and energy to your outdoor space. And don’t forget to buy potting soil if you’re going to beautify your patio or veranda with pots bursting with blooms this May.

Even the low-cost brands perform well in most gardens, so there’s no need to spend a King’s ransom.

Fertilising plants and lawns

If you want a beautiful garden this May, you’ll need to feed your plants.

So, unless you’ve already fertilised your lawn or your plants this year, it’s time to get feeding your hedges, perennials, flowers, and grass.

I recommend granulated fertiliser, which offers slow-release nutrition. Also compost and mulch are great for improving your soil condition.

Pay attention to your compost

It’s getting warm, so it’s time to pay a little attention to your compost. The microorganisms become more active at 15 degrees and above, so make sure there’s plenty of moisture and mix it with a garden fork.

The decomposition process generates heat, so you can use fresh compost to keep your plants warm if there’s a sudden cold snap.

Getting the garden furniture out

May mornings are glorious when they’re warm and sunny, so give your garden furniture a good clean – perhaps even a coat of paint – because there’s nothing like breakfast in the garden, is there?

Clean down your plastic chair and get the cushions out of the closet – it’s time to enjoy those first rays of the year!

And enjoy!

Don’t forget to enjoy the wonderful hours of sunshine whenever you can. Just don’t forget the sun-screen – minimum SPF 15!

And enjoy your garden in the sun!