May is the month when the garden truly starts to come alive and for us at Rothe House & Garden, it is the perfect month for our annual plant sale!
As April showers (hopefully) give way to May sunshine, we watch this month as the garden transforms, revealing a tapestry of new blooms.
However, I am cautious until after the middle of the month, because there is always the possibility of a sneaky frost to ruin your plans!
Things are very busy in the garden now with mowing, weeding, and watering all part of the routine.
Weeding is essential during May as everything is growing very fast – including unwanted plants. Keeping on top of weeds now will save a lot of effort later in the season.
For lawns, regular mowing should be back on your weekly to-do list. Consider raising the blades slightly if the weather turns dry to avoid stressing the grass.
In the flower garden, deadheading spring bulbs like daffodils and tulips helps to direct energy back into the bulb for next year.
Perennials may need plant supports as they grow taller and you can pinch out the tips of some plants to encourage bushier growth.
Do regular pest control walks around the garden and take action early to prevent infestations.
Watering becomes more important this month, especially for containers and hanging baskets, which dry out quickly.
May is really about preparing your garden for the season ahead. So, the more preparation you do now, the more you will enjoy the garden in the coming weeks!
My checklist for May includes:
- Sowing tender vegetables like tomatoes, beans, peas
- Planting out summer bedding towards the end of the month
- Sowing salads
- Potting-up hanging baskets
- Regularly weeding flower beds and vegetable plots
- Regularly deadheading flowers
- Edging borders for a clean, sharp look
- Feeding roses and other hungry plants
I will, of course, also be busy preparing our plants for the annual Plant Sale at Rothe House!
This year, it is taking place on Saturday, the 24th of May and all are welcome to come along.
2024 saw a huge increase in the numbers of plants we had available to purchase on the day – totalling around 800 – and we aim to match, if not surpass that number this year!
The event will start from 11am and we look forward to seeing you there!
If you would like to book a group tour of our garden with Head Gardener, Mary Pyke, for your club/society simply email reception@rothehouse.com and we would be delighted to arrange it.
