This should be one of the best months in the garden, and it is a joy to be working there.
There should be no danger of frosts now, and tender plants can be moved outside. This applies both to annuals for beds and containers and to tender vegetables, such as French beans and tomatoes.
Although the season seems to have only just begun, the garden should already be giving its rewards. Broad beans should be ready soon and gooseberries are heading the list of fruit that should be ripening over the next few months.
VEGETABLES – Continue successional sowing of vegetables. Plant out tender vegetables, tomatoes, autumn and winter brassicas and leeks. Sow swedes. Earth up potatoes. Lift any early potatoes as required.
FRUIT – Net all soft fruit against birds. Spread straw mulch or mulch mats under strawberry plants. Pick early soft fruit. Peg down strawberry runners to form new plants. Thin tree fruits if necessary.
FLOWERS – Finish planting out tender plants. Put out hanging baskets. Clear away spring annuals such as forget-me-nots. Deadhead old flowers. Watch out for pests and diseases. Water in dry weather.
GREENHOUSE – Make sure the greenhouse is adequately shaded and ventilated. In hot weather dampen the floor to cool and humidify the greenhouse. Side-shoot and tie in tomatoes, cucumbers and melons. Water regularly.
LAWNS – Mow regularly, but not closely or too frequently if the weather is dry. Prepare sites for new lawns.
TREES & SHRUBS – Plant container grown trees and shrubs and keep well watered – a mulch of bark or stone on top of the pot will help to conserve water. Check that ties are not cutting into growing trees. Remove suckers. Deadhead and prune spring flowering shrubs. Cut hedges and trim topiary.
GENERAL – Water when necessary. Keep control of weeds. Watch out for pests and diseases and take appropriate action.