Typically May is one of the busiest months in the garden. The grass is growing, the weeds are growing and the spring flowers are all coming into bloom.
The tree blossom is out and early leaves are starting to appear.
Well if the weather continues to improve then these things will all happen, probably with vengeance! There is so much water in the ground that I can only imagine that as the temperature rises and the sun pokes its head above the clouds that it’s all going to go berserk.
We seem to be running a month behind at present, but it could all suddenly catch up. So for what to do in the garden this May you could refer back to my April column and combine this with these few tips……
- It’s typically the time to increase the frequency of the mowing, it’s also a good time to over seed any bare patches, and give the lawn a good feed. My tip is not to mow your lawn too short, as this will hinder the root structure and lead to weaker grass
- If your Daffs and Tulips have flowered, then dead head them, but leave the leaves for 5-6 weeks before you cut these back
On the subject of Tulips. If you haven’t already visited the Tulip Festival at Pashley Manor, then you haven’t lived! This year the festival is open from Wednesday 24th April and runs every day until Monday 6th May. Pashley Manor is open 11am – 5pm.
It’s a sight to see with over 20,000 blooms on show. It’s well worth a visit as we discovered and the tulip festival is just the splash of colour we all need after the dreariness of that long cold winter. The gardens and setting are beautiful, with a wide range of plants and sculptures on show, plus a real find is the restaurant. Expect to queue, but the wait is worth it! So take your debit cards and get there just before lunch.
Pashley Manor is a short drive away from Tunbridge Wells, situated just out of Ticehurst village on the B2099. You can easily access it from Wadhurst, or via the A21.
You can see more about Pashley Manor at their website www.pashleymanorgardens.com
Plants to look out for include Delphiniums, Euphorbia, Peonies including those wonderful Tree Peonies, early Alliums, Choisya, Rhododendrons and Azaleas. If you are lucky the Wisteria might also come into bloom.
Here a few more gardening tasks you might consider for May:
- Prepare containers and borders for Summer planting
- Keep a check on any pest activity and spray roses/shrubs/fruit if necessary
- Plant up your hanging baskets, but keep them in the greenhouse or under glass until there’s no risk of frost
- Keep on top of the weeding
In the vegetable garden look out for Asparagus as this is one of the most exciting harvests for May. The other May favourite for me is Spinach.
Enjoy May in your garden
If you have any questions, or are interested in Gardenproud providing you with some advice or help in the garden then contact Tim Sykes on 07725 173820 or at info@reallygardenproud.com
