May

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Knowing what grows well in the garden is really important. But with 12 months a year, remembering what, when and where can be tricky. That’s why we’ve put together this seasonal calendar. So you can check what you could be doing this month, and what you should be planting later in the year.

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Things to do

This month, you should try growing herbs like basil, mint, parsley and thyme. After you’ve planted them, place in a sunny spot near the kitchen so they're handy when cooking.

: Vegetable Garden
It’s time to start planting (under cloches) dwarf French beans, beetroot, sprouting broccoli, brussel sprouts, summer and savoy cabbage, cauliflower, ridge cucumbers, endive, kale, kohl rabi, lettuce, marrows, peas, radish, spinach, swede, sweet corn and turnips.

For an early crop of beans, plant French and runner beans in pots in the greenhouse or on a windowsill.

: Bedding Plants
Clear away spring bedding plants that have stopped flowering. Plant out your summer flowers and weed regularly to keep everything looking nice and tidy.

It’s unlikely, but if a frost is predicted, cover your plants with a warm fleece to protect them.

: Bulbs
Lift and divide overcrowded clumps of Daffodils and other spring-flowering bulbs. Remove any dead leaves as you spot them. And remember, this is your last opportunity to plant summer-flowering bulbs.

: Containers
Container plants need regular watering during spring and summer as the soil can dry out very quickly. Place your hanging baskets outside and water daily. If you’d prefer you can buy pre-planted hanging baskets at Homebase.

: Greenhouse
To lower humidity, keep vents and windows open in the summer. This will help to keep plants cool and prevent heat damage.

: Hedges
Trim and tidy up hedges now. Brush off trimmings to prevent the spread of fungal diseases. Don’t forget to check for nesting birds before clipping hedges.

: Herbs
Trim and tidy up hedges now. Brush off trimmings to prevent the spread of fungal diseases. Don’t forget to check for nesting birds before clipping hedges.

: Houseplants
If your houseplants are looking tired, check for bugs. It’s really important that you inspect your plants regularly and remove pests with an organic soft soap spray.

: Lawn
Continue to cut the grass weekly and give it another feed if necessary. Tidy up the lawn, and if any patches look bare or damaged do a spot of re-planting.

: Roses
Tie up climbing roses so that their stems are almost horizontal. This will encourage side-shoots and produce more flowers for you. Don’t forget to fertilise your roses.

: Shrubs
Add some colour to your patio with shrubs in pots. Make sure you choose a large enough pot to hold them all and feed plants with a slow-release fertiliser before planting. Water and feed regularly if required.

: Trees
Bring the wow factor to your garden with a Japanese Maple (Acer). These stunning trees turn a beautiful shade of gold and red in the autumn, and the new growth in late spring has a really vibrant colour too. Available in selected Homebase stores in April & May.

Note: Water all newly planted trees well for the first year – it takes at least a year for new roots to develop deep into the soil for the tree to be fully settled in.

: Vegetables
Plant celery seedlings from now until June in a sunny spot and get any dwarf and runner beans directly in the ground.

Continue to plant beetroot and courgette seeds. And if you’re growing carrots, put a shield around your seedlings to prevent carrot fly.

Plant out tomatoes into the garden. Pick leaves when they’re about 5cm high. Earth up potatoes, and plant any still remaining. Give your vegetable beds a good fertilizing.