May from the Potting Shed
Last year it was all about the wet, this year its about the dry. The Joy of Gardening!!
Hopefully the rain has come in time to get the crops moving again. It will have helped get the seedlings and young plants to establish better. Watering never seems as good as a pleasing shower of rain. Keep an eye on newly planted shrubs and herbaceous plants. They may need the odd watering can of water to get down to the roots. Using a sprinkler is not the best around newly planted items, a good soak is better.
May is the time to do the Chelsea Chop. About the 3 rd week in May you cut the tall late flowering herbaceous plants back by half to save you having to stake them. They will make more flowers though they will flower a little later. If the fear of frost is over tender bedding can be planted towards the end of the month.
Lawns that had moss control applied may need an additional top up. The dry spell would not have been as effective at controlling the moss. Make sure the ground is moist before applying. I hope you will continue to do the ‘No Mow May’ on your lawns. It will help strengthen the grass as well as giving pollinating insects with a good supply of useful flowers. One thing I have noticed this spring is the number of wasps. This looks like it could be a big year for them after several years of decline, well certainly in my garden. Wasps are good in the garden as they feed on lots of pests such as aphids and caterpillars. It is only in the autumn when they become a nuisance.
If you are wanting to prune shrubs always look out for any birds nests in the trees, shrubs, climbers and hedges that you wish to do the pruning on. Leave the nests alone and do any pruning until after July/August when hopefully the young will have fledged.
Enjoy your Garden
Geoff Hawkins.