May Gardening Tips

The last month of Spring is upon us! With summer fast approaching it's time to plant out bedding, clear out spring flowers and make way for colourful summer borders & delicious crops. Our May Gardening Tips are sure to give you inspiration and helpful advice on getting the garden prepped in time for those all-important summer BBQ's on the patio.

Gardening Basics in May

May signals the beginning of summer, warmer weather, and new life. With this, the garden needs extra attention to keep things looking ship-shape.

Lawn Care: Start a regular, weekly mowing routine as the grass grows quicker in the heat. Switch to lower summer blades and ensure the lawn is well-watered after a hot, dry day to keep it looking lush and green.

The Watering Regime: Generally speaking, May is the time to up the watering. Water all plants early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid evaporation, conserving and recycling water when possibl

Greenhouse Management: Get those greenhouse vents and doors open on hot days to promote airflow and prevent your delicate seedlings from overheating.

May Hardscaping

While the plants are growing, your hardscaping needs a Spring Clean to ensure your patio is safe and beautiful for summer hosting.

• Deep Clean Your Paving: After a damp winter, natural stone can harbor algae or lichen. Use a specialist stone cleaner to refresh your patio. Avoid overly aggressive pressure washing, which can damage the delicate surface of natural stone or strip away jointing sand.
• Check the Pointing: Inspect the joints between your paving slabs. If the mortar is crumbling, May is the perfect time to rake it out and replace it with a high-quality pointing compound. This prevents weed growth and keeps the structure stable.
• Safe Steps and Paths: Check that all stepping stones and path edges are level. Winter frosts can cause the ground to shift; re-setting a wobbly stone now prevents trips during those evening garden parties.

May Vegetables

Earth potatoes and plant any remaining as early as possible. Harvest asparagus, spinach & rhubarb and thin out the direct sown veg such as carrots & lettuce. It's important to keep up to date with weeding the next few months to ensure weeds aren't competing for nutrients, water & light, particularly around the garlic and onions.

Another top May Gardening Tip is to sow out Brussell sprouts, cabbages and cauliflowers so they are ready in time for Christmas dinner. They can be sown indoors or out, but be vigilant of any late frosts. Courgettes, pumpkins & squashes should also be sown indoors ready to plant out seedlings next month.

🥕 Thin out veggies for a better harvest: Don’t be afraid to be ruthless! When you see your direct-sown carrots, parsnips, and beetroots crowded together, thin them out so there is a 2-5cm gap between each plant. This reduces competition for nutrients and ensures you get large, well-formed roots rather than stunted, tangled ones.

May Fruit

One of the most important May Gardening Tips to note down is to protect flourishing fruit trees and soft fruit bushes. Do this by using netting to keep birds at bay. It is also time to get checking for caterpillars and any other insects which may be enjoying munching on your crops.

May marks the time to start harvesting rhubarb. Harvest the stems when they are as thick as your finger and 20cm+ tall. Only pick a third of the rhubarb stems at a time. When storing your rhubarb wrap it in plastic and do not wash it until ready to use. It should last up to a week in the fridge. For inspiration on what to do with your crop try one of these rhubarb recipes from the Kitchen Garden Magazine.

Plant out strawberry seedlings into planters or hanging baskets and cover with straw. This will not only protect the plants from weeds but also lift the berries off the ground. Use netting to protect the fruit from prying birds, ready for the first harvest next month.

🍓 How to protect your fruit from prying birds: As your strawberries and currants begin to ripen, they become a prime target for birds. Ensure your netting is pulled taut over a frame rather than just draped over the plants; this prevents birds from reaching through the gaps or getting tangled in loose mesh. For an extra layer of protection, consider adding shiny reflective tape or old CDs to your fruit cages to act as a visual deterrent. The viral pebble painitng idea is also a great idea - painting small pebbles to look like your fruit, confusing the birds and acting as a futrue deterrent.

May Flowers

The middle to the end of May is considered the best time to plant out bedding plants, summer hanging baskets and summer flowering containers. Harden off plants now by putting them out during the day and keeping them covered or back in the greenhouse overnight until the end of the month and colder evenings.

Take the time to inspect your roses and other flowers & plants for pests and diseases. Pick off any larvae as soon as you spot them, particularly the Viburnum beetle and lily beetle. Check roses for signs of blackspot and treat them immediately with a fungicide if found.

Prune, lift & divide any clumps of spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils and lift forget me knots to prevent spreading. Tie up sweet peas with twine or rings and cut off side shoots to encourage longer stemmed flowers to cut. Provide supports for herbaceous plants such as oriental poppies and peonies by making your own natural supports - binding twigs such as birch or hazel.

🌸 The best time to plant out your summer hanging baskets: While it’s tempting to hang your baskets early in the month, the best time is the final week of May once the risk of overnight frost has truly passed. To give your baskets the best start, mix a slow-release fertiliser and water-retaining granules into the compost. This keeps them lush and hydrated even on the hottest July days.

May Herbs

Now is a great time to sow any herb seeds you have left over. Warmth-loving plants like basil & thyme need to be sown indoors first but hardier plants like coriander and dill can be sown directly outdoors in beds or containers placed on a patio area near the kitchen for easy use in tasty dishes and cocktails!

Herbs are plentiful in May with leafy herbs like Mint, Sage & Oregano ready to harvest. Many herbs are also coming into flower; such as chives, common mallow and calendula.

Gardening Projects in May

Design a Kitchen Garden

Become part of the 'Grow Your Own' revolution, creating a bountiful Kitchen Garden at home using our useful How To Create A Kitchen Garden guide to planning & planting. Kitchen Gardens are becoming ever-popular and it's not hard to see why growing your own food can cut food bills, provide healthier, fresher food for you and your family & increase your mental & physical wellbeing. Read our blog to create your own.

Shop Kitchen Garden Range

TWO - Make a Bird Bath

Create your own DIY birdbath by sourcing a shallow bowl or bucket, even an old bin lid can work well. Raise the birdbath using bricks or sleepers to keep them safe from prying cats. Find a step-by-step guide here: Rspb bird bath Or use one of our troughs and fill it up ready to see what wildlife you will attract.

Buy Wildlife Table

Embracing the Bounty of May

May truly is a pivotal month in the gardening calendar, marking the transition from the freshness of spring to the vibrancy of summer. From planting out tender seedlings and protecting your precious fruit to tackling essential maintenance tasks and even considering new landscaping features like garden paving, the efforts you put in now will undoubtedly reward you with a flourishing and enjoyable outdoor space in the months to come. Embrace the longer days and warmer weather, get your hands in the soil, and savour the growth and beauty that May brings to your garden.

Ready to Enhance Your May Garden?

From essential gardening tools and high-quality plant feed to a wide selection of paving solutions and stylish garden edging to define your borders, we have everything you need to make the most of your garden this May and beyond.

About the Author

Sian McHugh

'Sian has been working with us at Westminster Stone for over 7 years and has developed expertise in garden design and landscaping. Her passion for nature extends to tending her own garden, teaching yoga and hiking during her free time.'