The beginning of May denotes the start of Beltane, which to the Celts denotes the start of Summer. In modern times a May Day festival starts the beginning of Beltane, which celebrates fertility. For the gardener May also denotes the start of a period of fertility, and hopefully the start of summer.

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is this month so plenty of excitement to look forward to.

May is a busy month for the gardener, with seeds to be sown, and weeds to be removed, so make sure you keep on top of the jobs that need doing.

Hoe Weeds
Prick out seedlings
Look out for late frosts
Build hanging baskets
Sow vegetables outside
Tie up soft fruit cordons
Sow Beans
Fertilise Roses and Shrubs
Treat wood with a stain

The Vegetable Garden in May

Plant Onion Sets
Protect crops from late frosts with Fleece
Fertilize vegetable beds

The Fruit garden in May

Protect blossoms from frost with Fleece
Water trees
Start thinning grapes as required
Place straw around early strawberries

Keep and eye on the frost and cover blossom if required

Fruit trees positioned against walls will need watering in dry conditions. This year is very dry for most of us so get the watering can out.

Grapes will need thinning to reduce the stress on the vine and allow the remaining grapes to swell. Some wine producers recommend no more than 6 bunches of grapes per vine.

The Flower garden in May

Feed and re-sow Lawns
How weeds
Tidy Bulbs and dead foliage
Divide Primroses for next year
Take cuttings

Preparation is the word of the month. Beds and borders should be prepared for biennials and perennials. Bedding plants can be planted out, but keep the fleece handy for late frosts.

Tidy up the lawn, and if required re sow patches that look bare or damaged.

Prune roses

Make sure you have enough fleece insulating your cold frames.

The Greenhouse in May

Time to sow the bedding plants