What to plant in May
The spring weather is every gardener’s friend. Frost is behind us and the spring sunshine provides the perfect climate for lots of lovely flowers to flourish.
There are seeds you can sow directly outdoors in May according to Gardener’s World. Cornflowers and Sunflowers will all thrive as we head towards warmer weather.
Flowering plants that can be introduced in May include Coneflowers and Honeysuckle, which are both perfect for bees and other pollinators to feed on according The Wildlife Trusts. You can buy these as small plants to transfer into your pots or flower beds.
Whatever you choose to plant, it’s a good idea to check your soil first. If it’s too sandy or has a clay like texture you may need to tailor your planting choices or improve the mix with some compost.
Grow your own veg in June
The great thing about gardening is that it can keep you busy all year round. May and June are great months to sow and plant your vegetable patch and you’ll be able to enjoy the harvest through to the autumn months.
The RHS has some great advice for what to plant in June if you want to ‘grow your own’ food this year.
Salad leaves – like lettuce and pak choi - can be sown outdoors and do well in partly shady areas. Beetroots are great for beginners as they are easy to grow and don’t demand too much attention. You can also sow or plant courgettes outside in June. These are a great crop to place in pots as they can be quite prolific.
Keep your veggie patch and pots well fed and watered, while ensuring longer stems like runner beans and tomatoes are well supported.
Get the kids gardening in July
You can inspire children to become real ‘grow getters’ from a young age and the start of the summer holidays in July is a great time to get them involved. Children love seeing the results of their work so the veg patch or a herb garden is a great place to start. Simple jobs like watering and weeding can help them to feel involved and, of course, they can enjoy sampling the fresh and nutritious produce they’ve helped to grow.
Or why not let them get creative by painting flower pots? You can transform clay pots into colourful additions to brighten up your patio area using acrylic craft paint and a spray sealant. Just make sure you clean your pots thoroughly first and allow them to dry before adding the paint.
Bring some magic to your garden by helping your children to create a fairy garden either in a tub or in their very own flower bed. Scented flowers like Lavender and Abelia look delicate and beautiful and will provide lots of nectar for bees. Children can add painted pebbles and pine cones to decorate their garden and create homes for their fairies by adding small upside down clay pots with hand painted doors and windows.
Gardening for wildlife in August and September
We’ve got some great ideas for gardening for wildlife in this article or why not learn how to make a bug hotel? Late summer and early autumn are the perfect times to build your hotel so insects have a cosy place ready for hibernation through the winter. The Wildlife Trust have some great bug hotel ideas using just simple wooden pallets. Just fill the holes with things you can find in your garden and around the house, like dead wood, stones and plastic bottles.
Enjoying your garden – every month
Once you’ve brought your garden to life, you’ll want to sit back, relax and enjoy the fruits of your labour. Why not invite your friends and family around for a garden social? Just make sure you read our six ways to create a sociable outside space first!
Check out the Wildlife Trusts website here!
