What to do NOW: May 2 – May 8
Trees, Shrubs and Roses
- Plant shelter belts, hedges, and woodland areas, ideally planting small bare-root whips or transplants, which are relatively cheap to buy, establish well and are easily planted.
- Move deciduous trees or shrubs that need more room or are simply in the wrong place. Most deciduous shrubs move successfully.
- In exposed districts, stop planting garden evergreens.
- Plant roses of all kinds now to ensure that root growth will be well underway before spring.
Greenhouse and House Plants
- Water very little to reduce the risk of grey mould disease.
- Make sure a greenhouse frost protection heater is working to save tender plants, such as geraniums or fuchsias, on a frosty night. A small electric heater is cheap to buy and cheap to run.
- Remove all debris and dead plants and ventilate occasionally.
Fruit, Vegetables and Herbs
- Fruit trees and bushes of all kinds are available now and can be planted immediately. An excellent choice of varieties is available to choose.
- Lift any remaining root crops and store them is a suitable shed or pit outdoors.
- Continue to tidy the vegetable garden and make sure to clear off weeds, not letting them to grow on over winter.
- Plant rhubarb stools in a sunny spot in good soil. Lift rhubarb for forcing in a black bag in a warm place.
Lawn
- Do not walk on lawn areas if they have become soggy, to avoid causing soil compaction.
- When the weather dries out, mow the grass, as lawns not mowed in winter will be difficult to mow next spring.
- Lawn mosskiller, such as sulphate of iron, can still be applied if there is a lot of moss present.
Flowers
- It is not too late to put in a few spring flowers in pots, especially near the front door and in time for the festive season.
- Perennial flowers can be planted, or lifted, divided and re-planted if they have grown too big.
- Bulbs potted up for forcing should be lifted and brought into a warm place to flower.