Essential Gardening Tips for May

May is a lovely month in the garden. Everything starts to feel full of promise again. The days are longer, the air is softer, and little signs of new growth begin to appear wherever you look. After the stillness of winter, it is the perfect time to get outside, enjoy the fresh air, and give your garden a little care and attention.

At Rowena Garden Centre, we believe May is one of the most rewarding times of year for gardeners. A few simple jobs now can bring colour, life and joy to your outdoor space in the weeks ahead. Here are some of our favourite gardening tips for May.

Tidy Up Beds and Borders

After the colder months, gardens can often look a little tired. May is a good time to gently tidy beds and borders, clearing away fallen leaves, old stems and any weeds that have crept in unnoticed.     
As you work, you will often spot fresh shoots pushing through the soil, which is always one of spring’s little pleasures. Adding a layer of peat free compost around your plants will help feed the soil and keep everything looking fresh and cared for. 

Start Sowing Seeds

There is something so satisfying about sowing seeds in spring. May is a wonderful month to get started, whether you are growing flowers for colour or vegetables for the kitchen. Hardy vegetables such as carrots, lettuce, beetroot, spinach, radish and peas can often be sown outdoors now, while tender crops like courgettes, beans and sweetcorn are best started indoors or in a greenhouse. 
For flowers, favourites like cosmos, sunflowers and calendula are lovely choices. They are easy to grow and bring so much cheerful colour to the garden later in the season.

Give the Lawn a Little Love

Lawns begin to grow quickly in May, so this is the time to give them a bit of attention. Regular mowing will help keep things neat, but it is best not to cut too short too soon. A slightly higher cut helps keep the grass healthy while the weather is still changeable. You can also feed your lawn with a spring treatment and reseed any bare patches to help it look lush and green as the season moves on.

Plant for Summer Colour

If you are dreaming of a colourful summer garden, May is the perfect time to plant summer-flowering bulbs such as dahlias, lilies and gladioli. These plants bring beautiful colour and height to borders, and many make wonderful cut flowers for the home too. In colder spots, tender bulbs can be started in pots and kept somewhere sheltered until the weather warms further. 

Support Climbing Plants

Climbing plants begin to put on fresh growth quickly in May, so it is a good idea to check supports, frames and ties before they really get going. Sweet peas, clematis and climbing roses all benefit from a little guidance early on. Training them now helps them grow neatly and keeps everything looking natural and well cared for.

Keep an Eye on Pests

As the garden comes to life, pests do too. Slugs, snails and aphids can appear quickly in spring, especially around soft young growth. Checking plants little and often can help you spot any problems early. A healthy, well-looked-after garden is usually far more resilient, and gentle, wildlife-friendly pest control is always a good place to start.

Enjoy the Season

Perhaps the loveliest gardening tip for May is simply to take the time to enjoy it. Spring does not ask for perfection. It is about getting outside, noticing what is growing, and taking pleasure in the small jobs that make a garden feel loved.