Mayhem!
By Caroline Knight
Perhaps one of the most rewarding times of the gardening year, May marks the transition from spring to summer. In most parts of the UK, the threat of frost usually passes around the middle of the month. If you’ re certain the ice maiden has retired, you should be able to plant out tender varieties to fill gaps and pots towards the end of the month. Temperatures can fluctuate from over 20C down to freezing and a wise gardener needs to be prepared for anything.
Growing fast It’ s now possible to spend entire days in the garden. But with the joy comes a bit of pressure! Everything
is now growing, including weeds. Many gardens are looking their very best this month. Fresh new growth is abundant and there are blooms-a-plenty. If your local soil is slightly acidic, you will probably be enjoying the blousy flowers of Rhododendrons and Azaleas, with exotic Camellias, bright tulips and vivid blue Camassias. Bluebells are creating scented carpets in shady wooded areas. Wisteria is draping walls and pergolas with its pendulous racemes of lilac, purple, pink and white.
Some people say that if a garden isn’ t looking good in May, it won’ t improve during the rest of the year. But improving an outdoor space is all part of the fun.
Mow – or not to mow? Lawns are enjoying a lush growth spurt and it’ s a great time to feed your grass if you like a traditional lawn. If, however, you are nurturing an annual wildflower meadow or trying to encourage your grass to turn wilder, you need to let it grow and put away your mower until the end of summer.
No Mow May is a good compromise for those who want to give wildlife and biodiversity a bit of a boost. This conservation campaign encourages people to
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