May
In The Fruit Garden This May
Protect strawberry plants with straw (to control weeds and lift the berries off the ground) and netting (to keep birds off the fruit).
Keep young fruit trees well watered while they are putting on rapid growth.
Harvest rhubarb, picking only one-third of the total amount of stems.
Hang pheromone traps in stone fruit trees from May to August to monitor plum-fruit-moth activity.
Hang pheromone traps in apple trees to reduce codling moth.
Erect garden netting around soft fruit plants to prevent birds eating your crop.
Regularly check the centre of gooseberry bushes for green gooseberry sawfly caterpillars, they will quickly skeletonise leaves if not removed.
Top Tip:
Remove bloosom and fruits from newly planted fruit trees to help them establish properly during their first year.
This Month's Key Tips
- Mow lawns weekly.
- Plant out summer bedding towards the end of the month, when the weather gets warmer.
- Open greenhouse vents and doors on warm days.
- Watch out for late frosts. Tender plants will need protecting.
- Water early and late to get the most out of your water, recycle water when possible.
- Check for nesting birds before clipping hedges.
