What to Do in the Garden in May
May is a glorious month for gardening. With the last frost risk passing, you can finally plant out tender crops and enjoy the explosion of spring colour.
May is one of the busiest and most rewarding months in the garden. Spring is in full bloom, and after the last frost date passes (usually mid-May in the UK), you can safely plant out tender vegetables and bedding plants.
Key Takeaways for May
- Plant out tender bedding and vegetables after the last frost
- Harden off plants before moving them outdoors
- Keep on top of weeding as growth explodes
- Chelsea Chop - cut back late-flowering perennials
- Mow lawns weekly and feed if not done earlier
- Water newly planted specimens regularly
Flowers
May is peak planting time for summer bedding. The famous 'Chelsea Chop' technique can extend flowering on late summer perennials.
May Flower Tasks
- Plant out tender bedding plants after last frost
- Perform the Chelsea Chop on sedums, heleniums and phlox
- Plant dahlias outdoors now risk of frost has passed
- Stake tall perennials as they grow
- Continue deadheading spring bulbs
- Sow biennials like foxgloves and wallflowers for next year
- Cut back spring-flowering shrubs after blooming
- Feed roses with a specialist fertiliser
- Watch for aphids on roses and other plants
- Plant up hanging baskets and containers
Fruit and Vegetables
After the last frost, tender crops can finally go outdoors. Keep up with successional sowing for continuous harvests.
May Fruit and Veg Tasks
- Plant out tomatoes, courgettes, squash and sweetcorn
- Direct sow runner beans and French beans
- Continue successional sowing of salads and radishes
- Earth up potatoes as shoots grow
- Thin out carrot seedlings
- Start harvesting asparagus, rhubarb and early salads
- Mulch around fruit trees and bushes
- Water strawberries regularly as fruit forms
- Tie in new growth on climbing beans
- Watch for pests including carrot fly and caterpillars
Greenhouse
The greenhouse needs constant attention in May. Ventilation and watering become critical as temperatures soar.
May Greenhouse Tasks
- Plant greenhouse tomatoes and cucumbers
- Train and support tomato plants
- Start removing tomato sideshoots weekly
- Increase shading as temperatures rise
- Water at least daily in warm weather
- Feed tomatoes weekly once flowers appear
- Ventilate fully on warm days
- Damp down floors to maintain humidity
- Watch for whitefly and other pests
- Move hardened-off plants outside
House Plants
Many houseplants can move outdoors for summer. This is also peak growing season indoors.
May House Plant Tasks
- Move hardier houseplants outside for summer
- Increase watering and feeding frequency
- Repot any remaining pot-bound plants
- Take cuttings to expand your collection
- Watch for pests in warm conditions
- Move plants away from south-facing windows if scorching
Garden Maintenance
Keep on top of regular maintenance as the garden grows rapidly.
May Maintenance Tasks
- Mow lawns at least weekly
- Weed borders regularly before weeds set seed
- Apply a thick mulch to conserve moisture
- Install supports for climbing plants
- Check ties and stakes regularly
- Clean and fill bird baths
- Put out water for wildlife
- Clip box hedges for first time this year
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