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May - THE MONTH AHEAD IN YOUR GARDEN

If last month was busy then this month should be even busier. May is usually the month when plants catch up from a slow, cold start and respond quickly to milder conditions. So, get sowing and planting. However, don't forget that late May frost can be the scourge of all gardeners.

Mow lawns once a week reducing the blades to 2cm. Apply selective weed killer and fertiliser or lawn sand if not done last month. Bare patches can also be over-seeded or turfed for the larger areas.

Support perennials with twiggy sticks or purpose-made plant supports. Clear spring bedding from borders and beds when flowers fade and add a general fertiliser to the soil. Allow bulb foliage to die back naturally; do not cut it down. This way you will ensure a bumper show next spring.

Once danger of frost has passed plant summer bedding. Thin out hardy annuals sown last month. 

Spray roses against aphids and fungal diseases. Prevention is better than cure. If you want roses like this, then start early. The first feed should already have been applied!

Commence clipping hedges now that the first flush of growth has appeared.  It may also be your last chance to treat your fences with a suitable preservative; but quickly before too much new plant growth hinders.

Plant out chrysanthemums and young dahlias when danger of frost has past. Protect emerging shoots from slugs and snails. -> -> -> ->	Dahlia 'Moonfire'
	Watch for pests and control as necessary on fruit trees and bushes, Spray apple trees against apple scab especially in this wet spring.

Plant out shrubs that are tender when young. It is a good month for planting shrubs such as Clematis, Ceanothus and Eucalyptus.

Harvest rhubarb regularly through month of May and remove any flower spikes. Cover potatoes if frost threatens. Sow runner beans, French beans and broad beans in situ. Continue to sow other vegetables. and plant out early raised brassica plants- cabbage, broccoli and cauliflowers throughout May. Be vigilant for late frosts in this month.

In the cold greenhouse peppers tomatoes aubergines melons and cucumbers can be planted in May. Ventilate on sunny days and damp down the floor, shade if necessary. Keep an eye on the watering and be prepared to water more often as the temperatures increase throughout the month. Feed tomatoes once a week when fruits have set with a high potash fertiliser.

Many rhododendrons and azaleas are in flower this month remember to pick of dead flowers a/ to stop seed setting - which robs the plant of energy and b/ to allow new growth to develop into flowering shoots for next May.

All You Need to Know About Lawn Sand
Back to April - just in case you missed something out!