With the weather getting warmer and the risk of frost having passed, there is a lot that can be planted in both the flower and vegetable garden in April and May.
Weather watch:
Although the risk of frost is diminishing, it is still a possibility as warm, cloudless days can be followed by cold nights. Keep an eye on the forecast and don’t be tempted to plant out tender plants until the first weeks in May.
Toughen up tender plants
Seedlings nurtured indoors cannot be planted outside straight away. Instead toughen them up by placing them outside in a sheltered spot for a few hours during the day then bring them inside. Gradually increase the amount of time they spend outdoors . Do this for a period of one or two weeks before planting directly into the ground.
Divide Primroses
These spring plants can become congested over time . To reinvigorate them and keep them producing blooms in future years, divide after they finished flowering:
- Dig them up: choose a cool day when the ground is moist
- Separate the plants: Using a spade pull apart the clump or slice into sections.
- Replant your divisions: backfilling the planting hole with compost or leaf mould.
- Water well.
Prune spring-flowering shrubs
Flowering shrubs such as forsythia, ornamental currants, viburnums, chaenomeles (flowering quince) need to be pruned straight after flowering towards the end of May, so there is plenty of time for new growth to develop and produce flowers next spring.
- Use sharp, clean secateurs or loppers for thicker stems and remove any dead or damaged growth to a healthy bud or to the base of the stem.
- Prune out any stem growing in the wrong direction and spoiling the shape of the plant
- If the shrub is very congested, thin out the stems by removing a couple from the centre of the plant right down to the base.
Plant out summer bedding and sweet peas
Towards the end of May, plant out begonias, tender salvias, pelargoniums, lobelias, sweet peas… Acclimatise plants to outdoor conditions by putting them outside during the day and bringing them in at night for a week or two. Put the necessary support in place for climbing and trailing.
Plant up baskets and window boxes with tender plug plants
For long lasting summer colours it’s the right time to plant up hanging baskets and pots. If it becomes too cold for these plants to stay outside, keep your baskets and containers in a porch or greenhouse for a couple of weeks.
Sow beans
- Sow dwarf, French and runner beans: 5 cm deep into deep pots of peat-free compost and germinate on a sunny windowsill.
- Set up supports ready for climbing types: simply place three to four bamboo canes into the ground and tie to gather at the top.
- Plant the beans outside once they have established, from late May.
Earth up potatoes
Once the stems are 20cm tall, draw soil up to form a ridge along the row.
This protect shoots from frosty and excludes light, which turns potatoes green and inedible.
Grow salads
Ensure a continuous supply of fresh leaves by sowing a small amount of seed every two to three weeks.
Plan for a winter harvest
Sow slower-growing vegetables such as cabbages, broccoli and kale for harvesting in winter. Sow seeds in module tray or seedbed for transplanting to final position later.
Don’t forget
- Keep on top of weeds: regularly hoe off or pull out annual weeds to prevent them establishing and setting seeds.
- Get slug hunting: watch plants closely for signs of slug damage.
- Train climbers: tie in soft new shoots of climbing clematis and honeysuckle to their support.
- Apply a mulch: to retain moisture: late spring is the perfect time to apply mulch. Adding a 5-7cm layer will help to retain moisture before drier summer conditions arrive.
- Set up plant supports: put plant support in place before perennials get too big.
- Water wisely during dry spells: focus watering on newly planted specimens. Do your watering in the early morning or early evening to minimise water loss from evaporation.
