As the herbaceous borders start to pick up pace, the sowing and planting of bedding plants can begin, depending on the weather. It's also time to start the regular lawn-mowing routine, as the warmer temperatures that May hopefully brings will spur the grass into a flurry of growth.
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What gardening jobs should be done in May?
There are plenty of jobs due to be done in May as we approach the summer - but don't be lulled into a false sense of security by warm spells, as there can still be late frosts at this time of year. Protect delicate plants by bringing them indoors if they are in pots, or covering them if they are in the soil, to stop any frost damage.
If the weather is warm, plant out the summer bedding plants towards to end of May, along with any remaining potatoes that haven't yet been sown. When it comes to watering your garden, the best times to do it are early in the morning and in the early evening.
You may notice an abundance of weeds at this time of year, especially if the weather has been mild and wet. Regularly hoe off the weeds, as they can soon envelop your garden and stifle the flowers and plants.
Make sure your greenhouse isn't too hot on sunny days. If it's particularly warm, open the vents and door, especially if you are growing tomatoes - if the greenhouse is hot and you haven't watered them sufficiently, it will cause them to wilt.
The lawn should be mowed once a week in May, as this is the time when it will be growing rapidly, like everything else. Check for hedgehogs before you start. Cut back bushes and clip your hedge, always checking for nesting birds first, especially if you are using power tools.
If your garden is still full of daffodils and they are looking overcrowded, lift and divide them. Similarly, do the same with any other spring-flowering bulbs.
Watch out for insects that might eat and damage your plants, such as viburnum beetles and lily beetle grubs, which tend to be prevalent in May. To control an attack, you can pick off the larvae and adults by hand and dispose of them, or remove and bin any infested shoots.
Alternatively, spray the larvae with any insecticide from a garden centre or supermarket that is recommended for a broad spectrum of plant pests.
Getting your shed and greenhouse organised
Once you have tidied your garden, it's time to start on the greenhouse, if you haven't done so already. Get organised so you can plant flowers, vegetables and fruit.
Try dividing your greenhouse into zones to help you use the space most efficiently - such as a storage area, a potting area and different areas for edible and non-edible plants. If you keep things you use regularly in one place, you won't waste time hunting around for them. Be ruthless and get rid of any clutter, such as tatty old plant pots. The more junk there is, the easier it will be for insects and pests to hide.
Clever shelving will make good use of space - it's the best way to utilise the full height of your shed/greenhouse. It doesn't matter whether you go for wall-mounted or freestanding shelves; either way, they are the simplest way to store your tools and equipment.
Keep everything dry and easy to see by using a selection of clear plastic storage boxes. This will keep your surfaces free from clutter. You can also label each box so you know exactly where everything is at a glance. Store seeds in a dry, cool and dark place, ideally in an airtight container.
What wildlife is in my garden in May?
May is a busy month for wildlife too, as it's not only people who are getting ready for the warm summer sun. Birds will be busy feeding their young, so if you're growing any fruit, it's a good idea to protect it with netting or fruit cages, if you don't want your feathered friends to get to it first.
Migrant birds such as swallows, swifts and house martins return to the UK in May, so they’re likely to be in the garden looking for food to build themselves up after their flight back. There will also be more hedgehogs about, as they will be waking up after hibernation. May is their mating season, so always take care to look for them when gardening.
The males are likely to be competing for the females' attention and the losing male may roll into a ball and be pushed away by the victor of their skirmishes, so make sure you don't inadvertently stand on them or injure them with any gardening tools.
Pollinators such as bees, butterflies and hoverflies will be flitting around the abundance of flowers. Even if you're not a big fan of insects, they play an important role in the survival of our planet, so treat them kindly.
Once you've put in the groundwork in, you can look forward to spending those long summer days in your beautiful garden.