"May in Your Garden"

Summer is on its way.........

Sunshine and showers

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 (courtesy of the Royal Horticultural Society)

• 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 (consider leaving some areas uncut for wildlife)

• 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

Take a look at the Royal Horticultural Society web site for 'inspiration' and top tips