Monthly & Seasonal Tips
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24 April 2023
May Gardening Jobs
May is here and is the perfect time to get the garden in prime condition ready for the summer months to come where we can start to spend more time outdoors! Explore our recommendations here.
General Gardening Tasks for May
Water Wisely
As temperatures rise, ensure plants are well-watered, especially containers and hanging baskets. Dry compost and soils can become water resistant, starving plants and lawns of moisture and nutrients. Applying a wetting agent such as Amvista Soil Soaker, A1 Lawn Hydrate Plus or A1 Lawn Seaweed Extract will help re-energise the soil.
Watch for Late Frosts
Late-night frosts can still occur in May. Keep fleece or cloches handy and protect tender plants if cold evenings are forecast.
Feed Plants Regularly
Feed container plants every two weeks to keep them healthy and flowering. Fertilisers and nutrients are especially critical during this key growth stage. Adding liquid seaweed to your normal watering regime can boost vitality.
Slug and Snail Control
Continue controlling slugs and snails, which can quickly damage young plants. One recommended product is Sluxx.
Weed Control
Weeds become an increasing problem in May, so selecting the correct product is crucial.
Total weedkillers are ideal for paths, gravel driveways, patios, non-cropped land and amenity areas.
Roundup ProVantage is a popular high-strength glyphosate option for this time of year.
Selective weedkillers kill weeds while keeping grass unharmed.
Grazon Pro is effective against docks, thistles, nettles, bramble, broom and gorse.
Marestail/Horsetail can become problematic in May.
Kurtail Evo is a trusted and effective solution.
Non-glyphosate option: Combine SBK Brushwood Killer and Kplus for effective control.
Bundle deals are available across weed control products.
Keep beds and borders weed-free and watch for fast-spreading offenders like bindweed—pull it up by the root before it takes over.
Mowing
As the weather improves, increase mowing frequency. You can
now begin to lower the cutting height slightly:
- 6–8mm for ornamental lawns
- 12mm for general-use lawns
Keeping mower blades sharp ensures a clean cut and reduces
stress on the grass.
Lawn Care in May
May is a brilliant time to focus on your lawn as grass growth really accelerates.
Mowing
Begin or continue mowing regularly, but avoid cutting too short, especially in dry weather.
Weed Control
Use a selective lawn weedkiller to tackle weeds like dandelions without damaging the grass.
Feeding and Repair
Apply a spring/summer lawn fertiliser and overseed any bare patches. Explore a wide range of grass seed to suit your lawn.
Soil Health
Dry soils can become water resistant—apply a wetting agent to ensure water and nutrients reach the roots.
Disease and Pest Checks
Check for lawn disease and treat accordingly using suitable fungicides.
Watch for pests such as chafer grubs or leatherjackets and control them where necessary, including biological pest control options.
Avoid Lawn Damage
Rotate garden furniture and heavy pots regularly to prevent wear and soil compaction.
Fruit & Vegetables to Plant in May
It’s a busy and exciting time in the vegetable garden.
Vegetables to Plant or Sow
- Tomatoes
- Squash
- Pumpkins
- Sweetcorn
- Courgettes
- Cucumbers
- Runner beans
- Cauliflowers
- Broccoli
- Carrots
Succession Sowing
Keep salad leaves and other fast-growing crops coming by sowing small batches every few weeks.
Tender Vegetables
Plant out tender vegetables such as courgettes, squash and runner beans once seedlings are strong and well-established.
Top Tip
Place straw around strawberries to keep fruit clean and free from mould.
Flowers to Plant in May
Summer Bedding
Once all danger of frost has passed, plant summer bedding directly into the garden. If grown in a greenhouse, harden plants off by putting them outside during the day and bringing them in at night.
Dahlias and Hardy Annuals
These can be planted outdoors towards the end of the month once hardened off and once soil is weed-free and pest-free.
Late Starters Welcome
If you didn’t sow seeds or plant tubers earlier in spring, there’s still time to plant directly outdoors. Flowers may bloom slightly later but will still provide great colour.
Deadheading
Regularly remove faded blooms from bedding plants to encourage continuous flowering throughout summer.
Trees, Shrubs and Hedges
Trim Box & Formal Evergreens
May is the traditional time to lightly trim box (buxus) and formal evergreen hedging—May 5th, known as ‘Derby Day’, is often cited as the starting point.
Feed After Trimming
After trimming, apply a light feed or slow-release fertiliser such as Amvista Arbor Gold.
Prune Spring-Flowering Shrubs
Once flowering has finished, prune shrubs to shape and encourage healthy new growth.
Beds, Borders & Wall Plants
- Clear out spring-flowering bedding.
- Enrich soil and prepare beds for summer planting.
- Sow hardy perennials directly outdoors for long-term colour.
- Stay on top of weeds to keep borders tidy and productive.
- Tie in new growth to guide plants in the right direction.
- Prune plants that have finished flowering, such as clematis.
Looking Ahead
May sets the stage for a thriving summer garden. Tidying up spring growth, staying on top of weed and pest control, and giving lawns, beds and borders the care they need now will make a big difference as temperatures rise.
Want to plan ahead? Take a look at the June gardening jobs guide, which focuses on managing growth spurts, maintaining plant health through the heat, and making the most of spending time outdoors. If you need further advice, explore our range of detailed gardening guides or contact our friendly team.
