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This Month … In the Garden
MAY
FROM BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS TO THE FIRST OF YOUR VEGETABLE CROPS , MAY IS A BEAUTIFUL MONTH IN THE GARDEN . ENSURE YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE IS LOOKING ITS BEST BY TRIMMING THE TOPIARY AND BRING EXTRA COLOUR COURTESY OF SUMMER BEDDING PLANTS . DAN STEVENS , SENIOR PLANT MANAGER AT MILLBROOK GARDEN CENTRES , SHARES HIS TOP TIPS FOR GARDENING IN MAY .
MAY ’ S TOP 5 TIPS :
Plant out summer bedding plants
Now that the danger of frost has passed , it ’ s time to plant out your summer bedding plants , if you haven ’ t already . The best shows come from going for a ‘ thriller , filler and spiller ’ formula in your displays . Geraniums are great as a thriller , good fillers are Diascia and bush Lobelia , and Calibrachoa and Petunia Surfinia make great spillers . Make sure to plant in good quality peat-free compost and feed regularly throughout the growing season with a liquid fertiliser . Deadhead your summer bedding throughout the summer to maintain a steady stream of new flowers right into the Autumn .
Top dress planted containers
Now is a great time to refresh your permanent planted containers to keep them in good condition . Scrape off the top two inches of old compost and replace with fresh compost . For larger shrubs , a handful of slow-release fertiliser should be added to make sure the plant can get all the nutrients it needs for fresh growth this season . Make sure to water well throughout the year . Plants grown in containers can dry out very quickly , especially in hot and windy conditions .
Earth up potatoes
It is very important to ‘ earth up ’ potatoes , both to protect from frost damage and to prevent the growing potatoes from becoming green . As soon as the shoots are 6-9 inches above the ground , cover them up with soil again . Potatoes are also thirsty plants - if there has been little rain through spring they will need extra water . This is especially the case for first and second early potatoes planted in February and March .
Keep weeds under control
As the weather warms up , weeds will start to grow strongly in the garden . You can control all the weeds in your garden without the need for weed killers . Weed barriers such as mulches , edging strips or groundcover fabrics are all useful ways to keep weeds under control . Using a hoe in the early morning of dry and windy days is also very effective as this will kill the weeds off quickly . Perennial weeds such as bindweed and couch grass will need persistent action to get rid of them but it is worth the effort !
Trim topiary bushes
Whether it is balls , pyramids or lollipop trees , May is a great month to keep them trim and tidy . Yew , box and Ilex Crenata are classic topiary plants and they need regular maintenance to keep them looking their best . Use a pair of sharp secateurs or hedging shears and start with the longer growth so you can see the plant more clearly . Keep shears parallel with the older growth to maintain an even finish and clear away cuttings as you go so you can see the shape of the plant at all times . All topiary plants will benefit from some slow-release fertiliser so that the new growth is healthy and vibrant .
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