May Gardening Jobs
Spring into Action with These May Gardening Jobs with help from our partners Thompson & Morgan.
What to Sow Indoors
*Larkspur seed is a good alternative if you are struggling to grow delphiniums.
*Brighten up your summer bedding by growing salvia, start them off indoors this month.
*start to sow biennial plants such as foxgloves, sweet William and wall flowers this month in seed trays.
*start off sweetcorn in modules ready to plant out when any risk of frost has passed, grow at least 12 plants for good pollination and cropping.
*Think ahead to winter cropping and start Kale seeds under cover now.
By tackling these May gardening jobs, you'll be well on your way to a beautiful and bountiful garden this summer.
What to Sow Outdoors
*Direct sow sunflowers where they are to flower
*Sow poppy, cornflower & scabious seed to attract bees and butterflies to your garden.
*Comfrey can be sown in neglected corners of your garden, it can be used to make fertiliser or for mulching as is rich in nutrients
May Gardening Jobs
* Thin out drifts of handy annuals
*trim back spreading plants such as aubrieta, alyssum and candytufts after they have finished flowering to encourage new growth.
*Tie in sweet peas to encourage them to climb.
* Thin out direct sown vegetables such as spinach, carrots and lettuce seedlings then water the rows well.
Plant of the Month for May: Dianthus
Commonly known as 'pinks' or 'carnations' these beautiful flowers bring colour to your garden or container. Blooming in shades ranging from lilac to deep pink, dianthus is the perfect flower for bringing both early and late splashes of colour to your garden, blooming first in the spring and again in the autumn. Dianthus need a well-drained soil and an open, sunny situation. Both are essential: even partial shade from overhanging shrubs or other perennials will reduce flowering and in a wet soil the plants will rot. Heavy clay soils should be improved by adding lots of horticultural grit.
We love our bee's here at Merry Harriers for the amazing work they do in pollinating our garden so we are advising following the Plantlife's 'No Mow May'
Free the wildflowers in your lawn so they can grow wild and provide a feast for pollinators, tackle pollution, and lock away atmospheric carbon below ground.
Happy May Everyone Enjoy your garden!
