What To Do in the Garden In May
Living North's gardening expert Ross Pearson shares his advice on what needs to be done in the garden this month
By May the garden has found its confidence. Leaves are fully out and glowing that bright, hopeful green that only appears for a short while before summer toughens everything up. Borders are filling out but they have not yet collapsed into the joyful chaos that July tends to bring. Even the weeds seem slightly polite about the whole situation. Everything feels balanced. Energetic but not exhausting. Productive but not frantic.
I wander outside most mornings fully intending to do something sensible and immediately get distracted. A rose bud has opened overnight. A bee is investigating a flower with tremendous levels of enthusiasm. Something new is poking through the soil and I am fairly sure I planted it but cannot quite remember when. The garden is full of pleasant surprises in May, mostly delivered while you were asleep.
It is also the month where your past gardening decisions finally start to look clever. Seeds sown weeks ago are now recognisable plants. Bulbs planted in chilly autumn soil are still putting on a show. Shrubs that looked completely unimpressive a month ago are suddenly covered in fresh growth.
You start to feel like you might actually know what you are doing. Of course, this feeling rarely lasts. The garden will soon accelerate into full summer energy and start demanding constant attention. But in May it still feels manageable. The work is enjoyable, the progress is visible, and the whole place has that wonderful sense of optimism that makes you want to linger outside just a little longer.
So yes, if there were a button that allowed gardeners to freeze a moment in time, I would press it somewhere in the middle of May without hesitation. Everything is growing, everything is hopeful, and nothing has fallen over yet. For a gardener, that is about as good as it gets.
Allium
Naturally, with my favourite gardening month comes my favourite plant, the spectacular allium. Tall, confident stems rise above the border carrying perfect spheres of tiny, star-shaped flowers that look like botanical fireworks frozen in mid-air.
Alliums are wonderfully dramatic without being demanding. They appear just as many spring flowers begin to fade, lifting the whole garden with their bold shapes and colours. Purples dominate, from soft lavender tones to deep royal shades, but whites and pale pinks also make elegant appearances.
What makes alliums particularly appealing is their structure. Even when the flowers fade, the seed heads remain striking for weeks, gradually drying into sculptural globes that catch the light beautifully. They are also remarkably tolerant. Plant them once and they will return year after year with very little fuss, quietly multiplying and improving the display.
Planting
Allium bulbs are usually planted in autumn, but if you find them in pots at the garden centre during spring they can still be added to the garden. Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Plant them in generous groups for the best effect. One allium is interesting. Ten looks deliberate.
Care
Allow the foliage to die back naturally after flowering. This can look a little untidy, so planting alliums among perennials that will grow up around them is a useful trick. Once established they require very little attention and will reward you with their cheerful fireworks each May.
Harden Off Young Plants
Seedlings raised indoors or in a greenhouse need time to adjust to outdoor conditions. Place them outside during the day and bring them back in at night for about a week. It feels slightly like running a tiny plant training camp, but the results are worth it. Strong plants cope far better once planted out permanently.
Tie in Climbing Plants
Climbers such as clematis and honeysuckle grow quickly during May and appreciate a little guidance. Gently secure new stems to supports before they wander off in unhelpful directions. Left alone they will attach themselves enthusiastically to anything available, including occasionally each other.
Thin Out Direct Sown Seedlings
Rows of seedlings often emerge far more densely than intended. Thin them out early while they are small, so the remaining plants have room to develop properly. It can feel ruthless, but crowded plants rarely thrive. It’s survival of the fittest I’m afraid.
Plant Summer Bedding
As the risk of cold nights fades, bedding plants can finally take their places in containers and borders. Geraniums, petunias, lobelia and begonias all bring colour and enthusiasm to patios and window boxes. Arrange them generously. May is not a month for restraint.
Refresh Pots and Containers
Remove tired spring displays and replace them with fresh compost and new plants. This simple refresh keeps containers looking lively and gives roots the space they need to grow well through the coming months.
Keep an Eye on Watering
The combination of warmer temperatures and rapid growth means plants dry out faster than expected. Newly-planted containers in particular need regular watering. A quick evening check often prevents the dramatic wilt that plants perform when they feel neglected.
Enjoy the Blossom
Fruit trees are still offering delicate blossoms in early May. Take a moment to appreciate them. These fleeting displays are the promise of future harvests and one of the quiet joys of the gardening year.
Plant Out Tender Crops
Once the weather settles, tomatoes, courgettes and other warmth-loving vegetables can move into their final positions. Choose a calm day and water them well after planting. They often look slightly startled for the first day or two but soon begin growing enthusiastically.
Sow Salad Crops Regularly
Lettuce, rocket and other leafy crops grow quickly in May. Sow small batches every couple of weeks for a steady supply rather than one enormous harvest that appears all at once.
Support Peas and Beans
Climbing vegetables appreciate sturdy frames before they start scrambling upwards. Install supports early and guide the first tendrils into place. Soon they will take over the structure entirely with cheerful determination.
Earth Up Potatoes
As potato plants grow taller, draw soil up around the stems to protect developing tubers from light. It also helps support the plant and encourages better crops later in the season.
Weed Little and Often
Warm soil and longer days mean weeds grow with enthusiasm. A quick regular tidy prevents them becoming overwhelming. It is far easier to remove small weeds than wrestle with mature ones that have decided they belong there.
Feed Growing Crops
Vegetables growing strongly benefit from a balanced liquid feed every couple of weeks. It supports healthy growth and encourages better yields later. Think of it as giving the plants a polite but motivating nudge.
Pause and Look Around
Allotments are wonderfully busy places in May. Take a moment to stand still and notice the progress. Beds that were empty not long ago are now full of life. That transformation deserves a little appreciation.
May always feels like the moment when the garden and I finally understand each other again. After the slow start of the year and the sudden rush of spring, everything begins to settle into a rhythm that makes sense.
I find myself spending more time outside without really planning to. A quick wander turns into half an hour of pottering. I adjust a plant here, pull a weed there, and then stand back to admire something that was not even noticeable a week ago.
There is also a certain level of quiet pride involved. Plants that were tiny seeds not long ago are now proper inhabitants of the garden. Shrubs look fuller, beds look brighter, and the whole place carries an air of cheerful confidence.
Of course, things are not perfect. Something always grows where it should not. Something else refuses to grow where it should. But that is part of the fun. May encourages a relaxed sort of gardening where enthusiasm matters more than precision.
By the end of the month the garden feels full of promise. Summer is clearly on the horizon, and everything is gathering energy for the season ahead.
And I, slightly sun warmed and pleasantly tired, am very happy to be part of it.
