May

Long days, warmer temperatures and spring showers all combine to make May a month of abundant blossom and vigorous growth. The winter silhouettes of trees and hedges have now filled out and are providing cover for nesting birds and mammals. Everything in the garden is busy as plants renew and animals prepare for new life. There are plenty of jobs to do in the garden, but it’s also a lovely time to just look and enjoy the space around us.

No Mow May

The environmental charity Plantlife has established the No Mow May campaign to encourage people to allow their lawns to go wild for a month, allowing wildflowers to flourish and bloom. This encourages plant diversity and provides valuable food for hungry pollinators. For more information and to register to take part visit: www.plantlife.org.uk/campaigns/nomowmay/#

Weeding regime

Everything is growing quickly at this time, so try to keep on top of the weeding to give the plants you choose to grow the best chance. If it is starting to feel too much like hard work, try using thick mulch around your plants to supress the weeds. This also helps to lock in moisture and reduce the need for watering in dry periods.

Cutting back and clearing up

Spring-flowering shrubs such as forsythia can be cut back after flowering to keep them compact. When cutting back dense vegetation at this time do check for anything that may be nesting and if you find something, rather than disturb it, wait until autumn when any young will have departed.

When spring bedding plants such as wallflowers have faded and past their best, they can be removed to make way for summer-flowering plants.

Scoop out excess pond weed and leave it for at least a day by the side of the pond so any water creatures can make their way back home before you compost the weed.

Sowing and planting out

There are still many fast-growing flowers and vegetables that can be sown in May; including borage, nasturtiums, peas, beans, courgettes and squash – all of which are edible. Even if you don’t have a vegetable patch you may like to integrate some attractive fruits and vegetables into your garden and benefit from the harvest they yield.

Earlier sowings of tender plants can be gradually acclimatised to outdoor conditions, then planted out when all danger of frost has passed.

Increasing your bounty

Lifting and dividing daffodils and other spring-flowering bulbs will give you more plants next year.

You can take cuttings of woody herbs such as rosemary, thyme and lavender. Simply trim approximately 10cm lengths from the plant and strip the lower leaves. Place in pots of gritty compost, water and keep in the shade until established.

Cuttings can also easily be taken from fuchsias, dahlias and pelargoniums. The additional plants can be used in your own garden or given to friends and family.

National Children's Gardening Week
National Children's Gardening Week is celebrated from May 27 to June 4, 2025. This week aims to inspire children and families to engage with gardening through fun projects and activities. For more information, things to do and events please see https://www.childrensgardeningweek.co.uk/

From garden waste to soil conditioner

Pro-Grow soil conditioner, made from garden waste collected through kerbside collections is available to buy at the Household Waste and Recycling Sites in Wealden. For more information see https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/rubbish-recycling/household-waste-recycling-sites

Want the garden waste collection service?

Wealden’s Garden Waste Service enables residents to subscribe to have up to four garden waste bins emptied on a fortnightly basis. The new subscription year has already started but you can still sign up by visiting www.wealden.gov.uk/gardenwaste. If you have already subscribed but want an extra bin please call us on 01323 443322. Happy gardening!