stop mowing this month. It will allow wildflowers to bloom, creating nectar habitats for pollinators. Then raise the mowing height after the month ends, to allow the grass sward to be longer the rest of the year.
Show time There’ s inspiration to be found during a visit to a gardening show. The RHS Malvern Spring Festival, which takes place in Worcester from 7-10 May, excels in providing ideas, in addition to show gardens and plenty of beautiful blooms.
The National Flower Show in Chelmsford, Essex, is on from 15-17 May. Held at Hylands House, it sells everything you can imagine to help you create your perfect outdoor space – and home interiors too.
The prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show will be taking centre stage in London from 19-23 May. Accessible to almost everyone thanks to the excellent TV coverage, this trend-setting show is held in the grounds of the Royal Hospital in Chelsea. You will find a myriad cutting-edge design ideas, rare and unusual plants and floral art too.
Visit an Open Garden or a stately home with a garden for ideas, inspiration and motivation.
CAMASSIAS LOOK WONDERFUL IN MAY
BLOOMING MEADOWS, BUZZING LIFE
Jobs in the kitchen garden
• Young tomato plants, courgettes and pumpkins can be planted out once the risk of frost has passed.
• French and runner beans, cucumbers and squash seeds can be sown into prepared outdoor beds.
• Cauliflowers and purple sprouting broccoli can be sown for harvesting in winter.
• Transplant Brussels sprouts now.
• Thin out the shoots on raspberry canes.
• Place mesh over your carrots to prevent carrot root fly from entering.
• Add bird protection to soft fruit.
• Protect brassicas and peas from predators such as pigeons.
• Earth up potatoes as the shoots grow, to prevent green tubers.
• Erect supports for peas and beans.
• Remove suckering shoots from around the base of fruit trees such as apples.
• Ensure that bees and pollinators can reach the flowers of anything housed under cover.
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