summer in the country garden

May jobs in the garden

Summer is on it's way at long last! However there are still some late frosts making an unwelcome appearance so watch out for these and cover your tender bedding plants with fleece when frost is forecast. 

Around the garden:

May can be a very dry month, water plants that need it weekly.

protect young plants form slugs.

Lawns -feed, weed and mow regularly.

When spring flowering shrubs finish flowering prune into shape.

Trim box and other evergreen hedges.

Once the frosts have passed tender shrubs in pots can be moved outside for the summer.

Divide and cut back spring flowering perenials

Plant out Dahlias and Cannas at the end of the month.

Stake perennials before they get too large. 

In the kitchen garden this month:

Earth up potatoes

Hoe weeds regularly.

 Continue sowing seeds - pumpkins and squash, salads, sweetcorn and sunflowers, parsnips, carrotts, celariac. Plant out at end of the month.

Cover cherries before they begin ripening with Micromesh to stop the birds getting to them before you do.

Continue to harvest asparagus until the end of the month when it should be left to grow for the rest of the summer. 

Feed strawberries and place a thick layer of straw beneath them to keep the fruits from rotting on the ground. 

In the greenhouse, ventilate well and check plants regularly for pests and diseases.

Visit us! We're running a summer flower arranging course in the garden here on Friday May 28th 10 -4. Lunch will be provided. Bookings are being taken until Mon 17th May to allow us to get in all the flowers and equipment needed.