In The Fruit Garden This May

May is a crucial month for fruit growing — flowering, pollination, and early fruit set all happen now, so a bit of attention really pays off later.

🍎 Protect blossoms from late frost

Apple, pear, and plum trees are often in flower or just setting fruit. A late frost can ruin a crop overnight. If frost is forecast, cover small trees or trained fruit (espaliers/fans) with fleece overnight.

🐝 Encourage pollination

Good pollination = better yields. Plant or keep nearby nectar-rich flowers and avoid spraying insecticides during the day. If the weather is cold or wet (when bees are less active), you can gently hand-pollinate blossoms with a soft brush.

✂️ Thin out fruit early

Once fruitlets form on apples and pears, thin them so fruits are spaced about 10–15 cm apart. It prevents overcrowding, improves fruit size, and reduces stress on branches.

🌿 Feed hungry plants

Fruit trees, bushes, and especially container-grown plants benefit from feeding now. Use a balanced fertiliser or something slightly higher in potassium (like tomato feed) to support flowering and fruiting.

🍓 Look after strawberries

Strawberries are developing fast:

• Tuck straw (or mats) under fruits to keep them clean
• Net plants to protect from birds
• Remove runners unless you want new plants

🫐 Mulch and water well

Fruit plants hate drying out during flowering and fruit set. Apply a thick mulch (compost, manure, or bark) and water deeply during dry spells.

🐛 Watch for pests and disease

Keep an eye out for:

• Aphids on soft growth
• Caterpillars on leaves
• Early signs of fungal disease

Deal with problems early before they spread.

🌳 Train and tie in new growth

For trained fruit trees (like cordons, espaliers, and fans), tie in new shoots regularly to maintain shape and maximise sun exposure.

🍇 Care for soft fruit bushes

Currants, gooseberries, and raspberries need:

• Support (especially raspberries)
• Good airflow (light pruning if crowded)
• Consistent watering

☀️ Ventilate greenhouses

If you’re growing peaches, nectarines, or grapes under cover, keep good airflow to reduce disease and help pollination (you may need to hand-pollinate here too).

🌱 Remove weeds around roots

Keep the base of fruit trees and bushes clear—less competition means better fruit development.