6 May Gardening Jobs Every UK Gardener Should Start Now

A summer gardenThe UK is experiencing a “mini heatwave” at the moment, with temperatures as high 29°C. That means that some gardeners will have to change how they water their garden, while others might want to consider moving potted plants and kids’ toys as these can cause damage if left out. But there’s more to the month than its opening heatwave – May is a time for weeding, planting, and watching out for unwanted visitors.So, we thought we’d share six gardening jobs experts say you should complete this month:1) Rewild your gardenNot only is no-mow May in place at the moment, but the month is a great time to get some wildflower seeds in the ground, too. Springwatch says this will encourage all-important pollinators while also giving your backyard a beautiful, relaxed look. 2) “Earth up” potatoesAs spuds grow, their stems are usually protected with a layer of soil in a process called “earthing up.” You should leave the top 10cm of the plant visible.“This protects the shoots from frost damage in late spring and ensures the developing potatoes aren’t exposed to light, which turns them green and inedible,” the RHS writes (fun fact: that’s what causes the green edge on crisps).3) Prune your spring shrubsOnce breeds like forsythia and chaenomeles have flowered, consider pruning their branches to tidy them and prevent better growth. You should also remove “faded” spring flowers, like forget-me-nots and wallflowers, from your bedding and check ‘em in the compost, Gardeners’ World advises.4) Water your garden in the morningSpeaking to HuffPost UK, lawn expert Chris Cooper said that you might want to reconsider your watering schedule given the warmer weather. “You should be watering your garden first thing in the morning,” Chris continues. “When the sun begins to rise, your grass and plants will begin to soak up the water for healthy growth.“This is especially important in a heatwave, as the weather will be much cooler in the morning than at midday when the temperature is at its peak.”5) Support weak stems The stems of plants like cucumbers, tomatoes, and aubergines will need support at the moment. 6) Keep an eye out for viburnum grubs and lily beetle larvae If you’ve noticed holes in the leaves of viburnums, it could be caused by viburnum beetle larvae (off-white in colour with black markings; they grow to 8mm). These appear from April to June.Meanwhile, scarlet lily beetles, who lay eggs that turn into lily-destroying larvae from April ’til September, are also present.In both cases, the RHS says your best bet is to remove them by hand if they’re causing damage. Related...UK Gardeners Warned: Don’t Leave These Items On Your Lawn In A HeatwaveThis Is One Of The Worst Things You Can Do To Gardens In A HeatwaveMonty Don Urges UK Gardeners To Delay This Task Until June 21

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