What's On Gardenwise

May

In the sunny, dry days of May, rhododendrons and azaleas reach perfection, and the garden makes up for the checks of a cold spring.

The weather in May
During May the gardener can expect all kinds of weather. Atlantic depressions are weak, so that damp westerly airstreams are less likely than at any other time and the month is often dry. On average the second week of May is the one of the five driest weeks of the year.

Roses
Spray regularly against greenfly, using a systemic insecticide. Also spray against black spot and rust.

Hardy perennials
Hoe between plants to control weeds. Continue staking tall plants such as delphiniums.

Flowers from seed
Make sowings of hardy and half hardy annuals. Plant out half hardy annuals when the risk of frost has passed.

Bulbs
Lift daffodils and tulips from beds to make way for summer bedding. Heel in bulbs to die back gradually.

Water plants and pools
Plant all types of water plants. Control algae by removing with a stick. Thin overgrown clumps of water lilies and re-plant the crowns in new soil.

Greenhouse
Sow cucumbers, melons and sweet corn. Plant tomato plants. On warm days, vent well and damp down. Continue to support tomato plants and remove side shoots. Start feeding tomatoes with a high potash feed when first fruits begin to form.

Veg
Cover potatoes if frost threatens. Prepare sites for growing marrows. Prepare planting sites for outdoor tomatoes. Set out late summer cauliflowers and Brussels sprouts. Make further sowings of salad crops. Sow runner beans.

Patio gardens
Plant tender plants in containers after hardening off. Plant hanging baskets and set them in position.

Plants to enjoy this month
Ajuga, Aquilegia, Aubrietia, Campanula, Gentiana, Cytisus, Genista, Iberis, Laburnum, Pieris, Phlox and Saxifraga.


If you have any gardening questions please send them to gordonsnursery@cynonvalley.co.uk and we will try and answer them for you.