Things to do this month
Things to do in the garden in May:
In the vegetable garden – Sow seeds of Broad Beans, Cabbage, Turnip, Onions, Spring Onions, Snow
Peas and Peas. Plant Shallots and Garlic. Plant seedlings of Lettuce, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Broccoli,
Kale, Brown & Red Onions (this is the best month) Spring Onions. Sow Green Manure mix in areas not
required for winter vegetables. Remove all dead beans, old sweetcorn plants, tomato plants etc., and
anything that can carry over fungal infections. Allow winter frosts to have direct access to soil. Take
action to deal with any Cabbage white caterpillars on winter vegetables. Mavrik is probably the most
effective and safe.
In the flower garden – Complete the planting of spring flowering bulbs. The ground temperature is
probably too low for the germination of most flower seeds, so it is best to plant seedlings of Pansies,
Violas, Lobelia, Alyssum, decorative Kale, Primulas, Polyanthus, Cinerarias, Dianthus, Lupins, Madeira
Daisies and Cyclamen. Spruce up the pots on your deck with Primulas, Violas, Pansies, Cinerarias or
some Spring bulbs. Most of the above are also available as potted colour.
Start tidying herbaceous borders, dividing clumps that have grown too large. Prune to shape some of
the deciduous shrubs. Don’t prune the dead heads off Hydrangeas until after frost as they protect the
new developing buds.
Decide which roses need replacing. Dig them out, together with a barrow full of soil. Replace with
new soil and well-rotted manure or Mushroom compost. Put Seamungus in the bottom of the hole
when planting new bare-rooted varieties. Leave pruning of roses until mid-June and planting new
roses until June/July.
An application of Kahuna now around Camellias will improve both the colour of leaves and size and
colour of blooms.
Lawns – Continue repairing worn patches, apply fertiliser and control weeds. New weeds will
germinate in worn patches and these (especially Capeweed) are best controlled by spraying when
small. Do not spray within 4 days before or after mowing. Follow chosen product directions carefully
to prevent lawn damage.
Fruit trees – Begin pruning peaches, plums and nectarines. Provide support for heavily laden
branches of citrus fruit to prevent breakage of branches, thinning out if necessary. Look for Scale
infestation and Sooty mould. Spray with white oil or a mixture with insecticide. Remove all grass and
weeds around fruit trees.
Tips : Remember to apply lime in the Veggie Garden this winter. Get compost bins empty and well
rotted compost dug into any unused space. Now is the time to save seeds.
