Tim's Gardening Tips

May in the Garden

Flower garden

• Plant out tender perennials such as cannas and dahlias after the danger of frost has passed.
• Lift and divide crowded clumps of daffodils.
• Deadhead faded tulip flowers but leave the foliage.
• Hoe or hand weed regularly to control weeds.
• Start liquid feeding container plants.

Roses, shrubs, hedges & climbers

• Prune spring-flowering shrubs after flowering, such as Berberis, Chaenomeles and Choisya.
• Prune overgrown Clematis Montana and Clematis armandii after flowering.
• Prune wall-trained Pyracantha.
• Prune winter-flowering heathers.
• Regularly tie in vigorous climbers such as honeysuckle and clematis.

Trees

Lawns & meadows

• Keep mowing lawns regularly.
• Apply a high nitrogen spring/summer lawn feed, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Mow lawns with bulbs growing in them from six weeks after the bulbs flowered, keeping the mower blades high.

Ponds & water features

• Give large aquatic plants slow-release fertiliser tablets pushed into their planting baskets.
• Keep ponds and water features topped up and clean pond filters.
• Plant new aquatic plants.
• Remove blanket weed and skim off floating weeds as soon as seen.

Wildlife

• Keep birdbaths clean and topped up.
• Replenish birdfeeders regularly.

Out and About

• Visit the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, on 20-24 May 2008.