As we move into May, we get closer and closer to those warm summer days that we have all been craving! In preparation for your summer displays, there’s plenty of garden jobs to do in May.

From rigorous spring cleaning to planting and preparing your beds, borders and containers, there’s plenty to do this month. Follow this easy guide to help you start your monthly to-do list.

Hanging Baskets

May is the perfect time to plant summer hanging baskets. Plant shorter plants toward the edge and taller plants in the middle.

Water your baskets regularly, preferably in the early morning or late evening so that the plants can soak up the most water before the sun appears!

Prune and Prepare

May is the perfect month to start dividing, pruning, and preparing your blooms and plants. Divide large clumps of daffodils, being careful not to disturb the bulbs too much.

Add support rings to your sweet peas to help them climb nice and tall. Divide Hostas, and prune spring-flowering shrubs.

Harvest Rhubarb

Now is the best time to harvest your Rhubarb plants. If this is your first year growing Rhubarb, then do not harvest until the second year of growth. Even then, only lightly harvest to avoid weakening the rhubarb crowns.

To harvest, pull the stalks when they are between 23-30cm long. Do not take more than half the stalks at any one time.

Earth Up Potatoes

Once your potato leaves have grown to around 10cm tall, it’s time to start the earthing process. This is to help the crops grow perfectly. This process is then repeated one or two times within 3 week intervals to help the tubers produce the best possible potato.

More Garden Jobs to do in May

• Feel like starting a new project this month? Adding lawn edging around the garden can make the space feel tidier and well-maintained!
• Plant summer bedding plants toward the end of month, if you live in southerly parts of the country (just to avoid late frosts, especially in northern England and Scotland).
• Leave out seeds for birds that are nesting.
• Mow lawns regularly, if needed.
• Prune over-crowded and dead stems from early clematis plants once died back.
• Water plants in the early morning and late evenings to give plants the chance to absorb water.
• Open greenhouse vents on warm days.
• Check for nesting birds before clipping hedges.
• Plant out dahlia tubers and cannas once the risk of frost has passed.
• Keep fleece to hand in case of late frosts.
• Check plants for pests regularly