May - Watch the weather this month. Often in May it can feel that summer has arrived but do keep an eye on the forecast to protect young plants and trees in blossom.
Flowers
Tip: Deahead camellias
When you have a few spare moments tidy up your camellias. Although often dead flowers fall away on their own, sometimes they need a helping hand. Care should be taken not to damage new shoots as you remove old flower heads. A regular feed of ericaceous plant feed will keep the plant healthy and the foliage green.
Fruit and vegetables
Tip: Don't let dandenlions beat you!
Don’t let perennial weeds such as dandelions, dock, nettles and thistles get out of hand. Dig deeply around them to remove the entire root, before they have chance to flower and seed. As crops grow, it’s easy for weeds to pop up, hidden in the foliage around them. Dig out small weeds as soon as you see them to prevent them becoming big ones which will compete with your crops for moisture, nutrients and space!
Greenhouse
Tip: Acclimatise youn plants
Moving plants straight from the greenhouse outside can be a big shock. Plants need to acclimatise to their new surroundings gradually. One way to do this is to place them outside somewhere sheltered during the day and bring them back inside at night. Fresh air and a gentle breeze strengthens the plants so they are ready for planting out at the end of the month.
Around the garden
Tip: Carry on composting!
Now that you are mowing the lawn use some of those clippings to warm up your compost heap. You’ll be amazed how much heat is produced as bacteria get the composting process started. Grass however does contain lots of moisture so be sparing and mix lawn clippings with other material. Variety is the key to a successful compost heap, as well as regularly mixing up the contents of your heap.
Woodlands Nurseries
Crooklands, Milnthorpe, Cumbria, LA7 7NJ
Telephone: 015395 67273
Email: sales@woodlandsgardencentre.com
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