Marvellous May! Our outdoor spaces are springing into life in such a welcoming way.  The warmth has returned to the soil, the laziest of hibernating plants have been jolted into life and the bare branches are smothered in fresh, young foliage. It's a time to look forward to a long succession of flower, colour, sunshine and showers and many happy hours gardening and here are just a few ideas of where to start . . .

1. Deadhead Camellias, Azaleas and Rhododendrons and prune to shape if necessary after flowering has finished.

2. Give your perennials with tall stems (such as Delphinium) or heavy flowers (Paeonia)  good support before they get too big. Stake, support and tie in where necessary.

3. Treat yourself to some fresh new perennials that will last for years .  .  . Helenium, Echinacea, Achillea, Alstromeria, Geum, Sanguisorba, Nepeta, Salvia, Gaura, Paeonia, Anemanthele, Aster, Campanula, Erigeron, and Geranium.

4. Think about planting up summer hanging baskets and containers when the risk of frosts is over. Use a good mix of perennials and bedding plants.  Heuchera, Carex, Ophiopogon, Salvia caradonna are all good plants for the centre of pots.  If you haven't planted your own baskets before, then book yourself onto our Summer hanging Basket Workshop, where staff will talk you through a demonstration and be on hand to offer advice with planting technique, great colour and texture combinations.

5.  Protect the environment and wildlife by setting beer-traps for slugs instead of using pellets.

6. Prune spring-flowering Clematis, such as Clematis armandii and alpina if necessary.  Treat yourself to a new summer flowering Clematis that is perfect for growing up an obelisk in a container on the patio.  Clematis Daiyu, Esme, Chantilly, Ice Blue, Kingfisher, Rebecca to name just a few.

7. Harvest Aspargus spears when approx 15cm tall, cutting below soil level.

8. Start hardening off tender plants ready for planting out towards the end of the month.

9. Sow pumpkins, courgettes and squashes towards the end of the month (or now if keeping inside for a few weeks).

10. Keep lawns looking great by regular cutting with blades set at a medium to high setting . Apply nitrogen-rich lawn feed, re-seed bare patches.

11. May is a great time to plant new shrubs and trees.  Keep them well watered in warm periods during the first year when the roots are establishing. Click here for summer flowering trees and shrubs.

12.  Grow your own tomatoes this year.  Come along to the Plantery at the end of the month and pick yourself up a Grow Bag and one of our favourite varieties, such as Gardener's Delight or Sungold.

   

16.  Plant up a herb pot and enjoy using fresh herbs in your kitchen all summer long.  Plant with Sylvagrow compost and some horticultural grit to improve drainage, and place in a nice sunny position.