Trevena Cross Top Tips for May
Check back here regularly for Graham’s most recently added gardening top tips!
From the (often overlooked) most basic and simple tip, to the more technical and specialist horticultural advice – you’ll find it here!
- Make use of all this rain! - the last few weeks have seen a wet end to April and beginning to May, which while not great for all us garden lovers, can be spun into a positive. Why not collect and recycle it, by working out a way to use it for irrigation? It is after all, the time of the year to water the newly planted - think ahead and save your supplies for the rest of the season when the rain isn't so forthcoming.
- Keep mulching - despite recent rain and even waterlogging in places, it is still a good idea to mulch with bark or compost (gravel or slate in windy areas) to help keep some of this water at bay and retain it for longer term use when your plants are more vulnerable to drying out.
- Keep an eye on the forecast and adapt - as simple and obvious as it seems, make sure you alter your garden plans to the current climate and weather conditions. You may find yourself falling into the same routine of previous years but remember, the April and May (so far) of this year has been quite different from the previous few years, with much colder and wetter temperatures bound to impact on your gardening activities. For example, consider postponing planting summer bedding if you find it to be too wet and cold.
- Keep weeds under control during this new period of spring growth - the latest rain has caused rapid green growth. Take the opportunity to manage weeds and lawn growth during any dry spells we get.
- Trim hedges and shrubs - but be sure to check for nesting birds in hedges before you start clipping away.
- Continue feeding / adding a general purpose fertiliser - add before mulching on top. As the weather hopefully warms up again for the remainder of the spring and into summer, a boost to the natural growing season will be welcomed in your garden.
- Be prepared to take action against slugs and snails - with what we have found to be the most effective remedy - Slug Gone wool pellets. Also keep an eye out for other unwelcome pests like the lily beetle.
Got any gardening tips you'd like to share this time of year? Let us know, and we'll share them here!