May in the Garden

May arrives with fullness. The garden is no longer waking, it’s growing, stretching, tumbling forward with energy and promise. Every corner seems to ask for attention now, seedlings ready to plant, borders filling out, pots drying faster in the warmer days.

It’s a beautiful month to garden. One where small actions now shape the abundance of summer to come. Let's get going there's lots to be doing.

What to Do in the Garden in May

• Plant Maincrop Potatoes - May is the perfect time to plant maincrop potatoes. Tuck them into well-prepared soil and earth them up as they grow to protect developing tubers from the light. This year I am planting the Maris Piper variety, I am going to be growing them in pots as so far I think that works best for me.

  
  

• Harden Off Seedlings - Before planting out tender seedlings later this month, begin hardening them off. Move them outside during the day and back under cover at night for a week or two to help them adjust gradually to the elements. Gradually getting them ready to leave home and fend for themselves.

  
  

• Pinch Out for More Flowers - Pinching out growing tips encourages branching stems, bushier plants, and ultimately more flowers. Sweet peas, cosmos, zinnias and dahlias all benefit from this gentle intervention. And don’t waste those dahlia tips, they root beautifully. I always pot mine up to grow on, dahlia abundance pending.

  
  

• Plant Out Dahlias - Once the risk of frost begins to pass, dahlias can finally head out into the garden. Rich soil, plenty of water, and a sunny spot will reward you with months of colour later in the season. Imagine of the bouquets to come.

• Think About Water Harvesting - May is a good reminder to prepare for the months ahead. Last year here in Yorkshire we experienced a hosepipe ban, so I’m thinking carefully about how water is collected and stored in the garden. Now is the time to set up water butts, dipping tanks, or any systems that help harvest rainwater while there’s still plenty to collect.

  
  

• Try the Chelsea Chop - Towards the end of May comes the perfect time for the Chelsea Chop, cutting back some herbaceous perennials to reduce their height and encourage bushier growth or later flowering.

  
  

  Plants such as nepeta, asters, sedum and phlox all benefit.

  • Cut back by around 1/3 for shorter, bushier plants

  • Or by 1/2 to stagger flowering and create a longer season of interest

    
    

• Feed and Water Pots - As temperatures rise, containers dry out quickly and need regular watering and feeding to keep plants thriving. I use Shropshire Seaweed Feed to give pots a gentle nutrient boost throughout the growing season.

  
  

• Prune Spring-Flowering Shrubs - Once flowering has finished, shrubs such as forsythia, weigela and camellia can be lightly pruned and shaped. This keeps them healthy and encourages strong flowering for next year.

  
  

What’s Happening in the Garden?

• Tulips begin to fade as alliums and early summer perennials emerge

• Bees are everywhere now, the garden is humming with life

• Greenhouse shelves overflow with seedlings waiting for their moment

  
  

Everything feels abundant in May, busy, hopeful, alive.

Final Thoughts

May is a month of preparation and possibility. There’s sowing, planting, pinching, watering and feeding a constant rhythm of tending and encouraging growth.

But amongst the busyness, there’s also beauty in simply noticing it all. The first dahlia leaves unfurling. Rain filling the water butt. A pot overflowing with healthy growth.

The garden gives back what we pour into it. So sit back, pour yourself a drink and enjoy your garden!

All my love, love from Donna 🌷