May in the Garden
As bulbs fade and herbaceous borders grow in leaps and bounds, it is now clear that summer is approaching. Sowing and planting out bedding can begin, depending on regional weather variations, and you can take softwood cuttings. It's also time to get back into the lawn mowing regime, as the lawn will be loving the warmer temperatures this month brings.
Top 10 jobs this month
Watch out for late frosts. Protect tender plants
Earth up potatoes, and promptly plant any still remaining
Plant out summer bedding at the end of the month (except in cold areas)
Water early and late to get the most out of your water, recycle water when possible
Regularly hoe off weeds
Open greenhouse vents and doors on warm days
Mow lawns weekly
Check for nesting birds before clipping hedges
Lift and divide overcrowded clumps of daffodils and other spring-flowering bulbs
Watch out for viburnum beetle and lily beetle grubs