This is the peak month in the gardening calendar as, with luck, the frosts should cease and major planting can go ahead. Hoeing and hand-weeding should be done regularly now, hedges should be trimmed, climbing plants tied and trained and herbaceous perennials given support with canes or metal stakes. Rose trees need to be sprayed every two or three weeks against black spot and mildew. All plants will need fertilizer (and watering in dry weather) to keep them healthy and in damp weather watch out for slugs. Lawns need to be cut regularly but not too short and ponds need to be cleared of algae.

Bedding plants such as geraniums, busy lizzies (Impatiens), petunias, fuchias, begonias, dahlias, asters, salvias and marigolds can be planted from mid-May onwards in borders, pots and containers. lobelia, alyssum and ageratum are fine for edging and dont forget the grey-leaved cineraria maritima for contrast. For hanging baskets there are the Surfinia petunias, trailing geraniums and fuchias, and a host of trailing plants such as bidens and the variegated nepeta. When planting baskets mix a little Swell Gel water retaining granules with the compost. Always change the compost in tubs or troughs or at least the top six inches, or you will be troubled with all kinds of pests and diseases. Dahlia tubers and cannas can be planted out and there are a host of seeds which can be sown in the garden to flower in situ. Wallflowers and Sweet Williams should be sown soon to produce plants for setting out in the autumn.

In the vegetable garden the early potatoes will need earthing-up. Sow lettuce and radish and plant out the runner beans and outdoor tomatoes later in the month. In the greenhouse tomatoes and cucumbers need trimming and tying and they should be regularly watered.

Now is the time to make plans for your entries in the flower shows to be held in the summer. I am told that there were more entries in the spring shows held in Bovingdon and Sarratt than at the Chipperfield show, so a big effort will be necessary to reverse this situation in future!

If you can find the time, why not visit some of the garden shows or open gardens this month? (see list on page 5)

Terry Simmonds

Tags: Terry Simmonds