by Tom Petherick

   

May can never come quick enough for the gardener. It is the month from which there is no turning back, the growth rates soar and any chance to pick up a hoe on a sunny day and knock over a few weeds must be grabbed with both hands. It is also the month of blossom, tulips, cowslips, euphorbias and the first cuckoos, spring in all its glory. This year spring has come all at once because the temperatures went from very cold to very warm in a matter of days. The result has been one of the most spectacular springs in recent years.



However, it has continued to be very dry and we should not let this slip from our grasp. One way we can counteract the lack of moisture is to make compost, as much as we possibly can. All lawn mowings, weeds and anything organic must be composted. The resulting compost makes not only excellent plant food but also fabulous mulch and mulches are one of the key allies in the battle against drought. Just remember one crucial point - always mulch on to damp ground. It is vital to water around a plant or wait for a shower of rain before applying mulch.



Here are some important tasks to do at this time of year. Some you may have done already but its not too late to catch up with them now.

VEGETABLES

Open ground sowing of French and runner beans can proceed this month, by the time they are up most chance of frost should be passed. Potatoes should be ridged up against the frost and also to disturb weeds. Celery and celeriac can be planted out and later in the month it will be time to sow the slow growing winter brassicas such as purple sprouting broccoli.



FRUIT

Give raspberries a good mulching of compost but be careful of the new growth coming through at the base of the plants, this is next year''s canes in the making. Don''t be tempted to water strawberries, keep them dry to deter slugs and fungal diseases.



BEDS AND BORDERS

Keep hoeing in sunny weather and continue planting out. Mulch wherever possible. Plant out dahlias this month with a sturdy stake driven in before planting. Tie in sweet peas as required and watch for slugs. Deadhead all bulbs as required as this puts the energy back down into the bulb. Continue sowing half hardy annuals in the greenhouse and some like love in a mist in the soil.



Many thanks to www.dancingbee.com

Now the weather is warmer, we are all enjoying spending more time in the garden – but what can we do to make our gardens easier to maintain?  Thrive, the national charity that uses gardening to change lives, has released its top 10 easier gardening tips for Spring and Summer to help make your garden beautiful but also ensure that it is also low-maintenance.



The advice, which can be found in Thrive’s ‘Tips for Easier Gardening’ leaflet, provides practical instructions and hints and tips on how to make gardening easier. It also gives advice on tools and techniques and includes a list of easy-care plants. Although it is aimed at older people and individuals with every day disabilities ranging from arthritis to backache, everyone can take advantage of the helpful suggestions. Thrive’s top 10 tips for easier gardening in Spring and Summer are:

1 Raise the soil level or use raised beds to make accessing your garden easier.



2 Line container and hanging baskets with plastic to help prevent them drying out.



3 Group your pots together to make watering easier



4 Choose climbing plants that are self-clinging – no support is required and they do not have to be regularly tied up.



5 Avoid very fast-growing plants which will require frequent pruning.



6 Choose plants that are less susceptible to pests and disease.



7 Use mulches of bark, plastic or gravel to help suppress weed growth and conserve moisture in the soil.



8 Replace hedges with fences for easier maintenance.



9 Use ground cover plants to cut down on weeding



10 Grow vegetables and salad crops in containers to avoid digging and avoid bending by raising the pots off the ground.



Janet Carruzzo, Communications Manager of Thrive, says, “Thrive’s tips provide a range of simple and effective solutions which can help people adjust their garden to suit their needs. Whether it’s buying self-clinging plants or putting up a fence instead of a hedge, a few small changes can make your garden easier to maintain!”