Our 10 Top Spring Gardening Tips for May

 

Spring is in full swing, and May is one of the most exciting months for gardeners. New growth is bursting into life, and longer, warmer days offer the perfect chance to really get your garden into shape. Whether you’re tackling long-postponed tasks or embracing new gardening ideas for spring, there’s plenty to keep you busy.

And if you’re wondering how to get your garden ready for spring and lay the groundwork for a glorious summer ahead, you’re in exactly the right place to find out. That’s because we’re now going to reveal our 10 must-do spring gardening jobs to help you make the most of this vibrant time of year…

1) Prune and Divide Early Spring Flowering Plants

Many early-flowering shrubs, such as forsythia and flowering currants, have now finished blooming. Pruning them straight after flowering keeps them tidy and encourages better blooms next year.

While you’re at it, lift and divide clumps of daffodils, primroses, and other spring bulbs if they’ve become overcrowded. This helps rejuvenate the plants and gives you more flowers for the future — a perfect early spring gardening tip that will also pay future dividends.

2) Protect Tender Plants from Late Frosts

One of our most important spring gardening tips for May is to remain alert for late frosts. Tender plants, especially young seedlings, can suffer severe damage if temperatures suddenly dip.

Be ready to cover vulnerable plants with cloches and cold frames when cold nights are forecast. Temporarily move pots and hanging baskets into the greenhouse or home, if necessary.

3) Earth Up Potatoes for a Better Harvest

May is the ideal time to ‘earth up’ your potato plants. This involves piling soil around emerging shoots, protecting them from frost and preventing light exposure turning them green, which will make them inedible.

And if you still have maincrop seed potatoes left to plant, don’t delay — getting them into the ground now will set you up for a rich harvest come late summer.

4) Spring Planting Tips for Colourful Displays

Towards the end of the month, once the risk of frost has passed, it’s safe to plant out summer bedding. Fill your beds, borders, containers, and hanging baskets with colourful favourites like petunias, begonias, and rudbeckia.

When getting your garden ready for spring, vibrant bedding plants offer instant impact and help to create a show-stopping display that lasts well into the summer months.

5) Embrace Water Conservation

Saving water is an increasingly important part of modern gardening. So, another one of our spring garden preparation tips is to install a water butt and start collecting rainwater for your garden.

Collecting and reusing rainwater reduces your environmental impact and lowers your bills — it’s a real win-win scenario. Prioritise watering at the roots during cooler parts of the day, and focus on early morning or evening sessions to maximise watering efficiency.

6) Go Organic with Weed Control

It’s not just plants surging in May, weeds are too. Starting this year, instead of using chemicals, why not try to keep on top of them naturally?

Use a sharp hoe to slice off weed seedlings on dry days, disturbing their growth before they take hold. For larger, tougher weeds, dig out the entire root system. Embracing non-chemical methods not only protects the environment but also encourages a healthier, more balanced garden ecosystem.

7) Keep the Greenhouse Cool and Productive

If you have a greenhouse, May can present a challenge should temperatures soar. So, your spring garden chores should include opening vents and doors on sunny days to maintain airflow and prevent overheating. Good ventilation not only keeps plants happier but also reduces the risk of pests and diseases.

Moving forward, consider adding greenhouse shading to protect tender plants from more intense sunlight.

8) Give Your Lawn Some Love

May is prime time for some spring prep for your lawn. Mow regularly to keep it neat and healthy, but consider leaving small patches of longer grass to support wildlife. Wildflowers like daisies and clover can bloom in these areas, offering food for bees and other pollinators.

Feeding your lawn with a high-nitrogen fertiliser will give it a real boost. Water new turf and seeded patches regularly during dry spells to help them establish strong roots.

9) Stay Ahead of Pests and Diseases

May’s surge in new growth sadly also means a surge in pests. Slugs, snails, aphids, and greenfly are the usual culprits.

Inspect your plants regularly and act at the first sign of trouble. Spray aphids with a strong stream of water. If the problem persists, use neem oil or a solution containing water and garlic. And setting beer traps for slugs can work wonders. Being vigilant of pests is one of the key spring gardening tasks for achieving a healthy garden.

10) Create a Wildlife-Friendly Corner

One of the most rewarding gardening ideas for spring is to set aside a corner of your garden for wildlife. A pile of logs, a patch of unmown grass, or a simple saucer of water can provide vital habitats and drinking spots for insects, birds, and even hedgehogs.

Adding pollinator-friendly plants like foxgloves and borage also helps support bees and butterflies, essential for a thriving garden ecosystem. Getting your garden ready for spring isn’t just about flowers — it’s about supporting all kinds of life in your outdoor space.

Get Garden Ready for Spring with GMD!

There’s no better time than now to roll up your sleeves and embrace these essential spring gardening jobs. Whether you’re planting, pruning, watering, or simply enjoying the fruits of your labour, May is the month to really bring your garden to life.

And if you need the right tools to make any of your spring gardening tasks easier, you’ll find them here, at Garden Machinery Direct. We sell an unbeatable range of products to help you achieve your dream garden. From lawnmowers and hedge trimmers to secateurs and scarifiers, we have everything you need to make light work of your spring garden chores.

 

(Main image courtesy of David McElwee on Pexels.)