Winter brings cold, wet and windy weather that can seem never-ending. With the nights getting lighter and the risk of frost now fully passed, it’s time to start getting out in the garden and transforming your outdoor space. 
 
Any once-planted spring-flowering bulbs in your garden such as daffodils or tulips should be starting to die off, so don’t be tempted to cut them down. If nature takes its course, the nutrients from the plants will make their way into the soil, providing a much-needed boost for next season. Now is the time to start sowing and planting summer bedding, so it’s the perfect opportunity to get creative! 

May means mowing 

As the weather begins to warm up, the grass is coaxed into growing again. To help your lawn looks its summer best, lower your mower blades to their regular summer cut height and feed your turf a high-nitrogen fertiliser, encouraging strong and healthy growth. If you’ve decided to plant a lawn for the first time this year, make sure to water it regularly and don’t mow until it is at least three inches high. 

Check for wee beasties 

May is the ideal month to look for pests and diseases on your plants and greenery. Ensure you check them regularly during watering for any signs of discolouration, mildew or spots appearing and treat accordingly. This will benefit your garden in the long run, as recognising the early signs and preventing them from spreading is much easier than having to cure a widespread infestation later in the year. 

Prepare your greenhouse 

Ventilation is key to ensuring that your greenhouse crops have the optimal environment for healthy growth. Start to increase the air flow on particularly hot days to prevent drastic fluctuations in temperature. If your plants require humidity to flourish, then make sure to dampen down your space regularly. 

Get ready for faster growth 

The longest day of the year falls on the 21st of June and though the additional light and warmth encourages your garden to thrive, this also means the return of pesky weeds that find their way through your perfectly planted blooms. Begin to regularly service the garden with hoeing when the weather is dry to keep the unwanted greenery out of sight. 
 
Enjoy designing hanging baskets and planters? You can now begin your floral arrangements, including any that have been kept in the greenhouse. If they’ve become misshapen or unwieldly, simply trim off any excess to encourage fresh growth throughout the summer months. 
 
If you have any trees, shrubs or bushes that have been recently planted, keep them well-watered as they begin to root and establish themselves in their new home. 

Use collected water 

Collecting rainfall is a fantastic idea. Not only is it environmentally friendly, but it also has no minerals or chemicals added to it like tap water, which in turn is kinder to your plants. If you don’t have a water butt, you can begin to consider one for the autumn months and get ahead of the game for next year. 
 
If you want to conserve more water and reduce your monthly utility bills, you can wet the soil around the plants rather than the plants themselves. By making a rut in the soil around ten inches deep, you can rest assured that the water gets a chance to reach the roots before being evaporated by the heat of the sun. This method of watering also reduces the risk of weeds and can support your plants for up to two weeks. 

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