May brings warmer weather and excites us gardeners to the start of summer with the smell of freshly mown grass and the rapid growth of plants. However, weeds are also growing fast and we may still be caught out with a late frost or two.
Trees & Shrubs
Keep an eye on newly planted trees, shrubs and roses, start watering as they begin to put their roots into the ground.
Check tree stakes are not rubbing against the tree and ties are not too tight or loose to cause damage.
Cut out reversion on variegated evergreens such as Elaeagnus pungens ‘Maculata’, ‘Limelight’.
Hedge cutting
Now the cold winds have ceased, evergreen hedges can be trimmed, remember not to cut back conifers too much as going back into the brown will not produce re-growth.
Hostas can be divided when shoots start appearing.
It‘s an ideal time to trim and shape evergreen shrubs such as Viburnum tinus but make sure that it has finished flowering.
Climber plants start to put on rapid growth especially Clematis, Honeysuckles and Roses; fix in extra plant supports if needed.
Daffodils & Tulips
Deadhead after flowering but do not cut the foliage, let the energy go back into the bulb.
Lawn Care
If you have not fed your lawn yet, now is the time to apply a high nitrogen fertiliser. I find Scotts controlled release fertiliser produces excellent results, lasting 4-5 months.
If you have a lot of moss in your lawn, a Moss killer with a fertiliser can be applied.
Remember to brush fertiliser off hard surfaces as this can stain, leaving rust marks on your paving. All granular fertiliser needs to be watered in if applied in a dry spell.
Tender Plants
Protect tender soft plants from late frosts
Creating the hedges in the lawn attracts people and bights up the garden. By these garden hedges one can find the greenery all round the season with fresh air. These garden hedges have to be maintained with lawn care and hedge cutting.
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