May is a magical month in the garden. With longer days, bursts of blossom, and summer on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to get your outdoor space in shape. From protecting tender plants to planting summer colour, here’s what to do in your garden this month—and how we can help.
🧊 1. Protect Young Plants from Late Frosts
Yes, it still might frost! Even in May, a chilly snap can catch gardeners off guard. Protect young and tender plants—especially bedding plants, tomatoes, and seedlings—by covering them at night.
Try this:
-
Use horticultural fleece or cloches (both available in-store)
-
Repurpose an upturned plant pot for small seedlings
-
Bring pots into a cold frame or unheated greenhouse overnight
🌿 Top tip: Always check the evening forecast and be ready to cover up quickly if needed.
🥔 2. Earth Up Your Potatoes
If you’re growing early or maincrop potatoes, now’s the time to “earth them up.” This means gently mounding soil around the stems as they grow. It helps protect the developing tubers from light (which turns them green and inedible) and encourages a larger harvest.
🌿 You can also use compost or well-rotted manure from our garden centre to earth up and feed in one go!
🌸 3. Plant Up Summer Tubs and Containers
Once the risk of frost has passed, it’s full steam ahead for summer colour! Our outdoor plant area is bursting with fresh bedding plants, perfect for tubs and hanging baskets.
💐 Look out for:
-
Trailing petunias
-
Geraniums and begonias
-
Busy lizzies for shady spots
-
Ready-made planters if you want instant impact!
🛒 Visit us in Exmouth or Sidmouth to find your perfect summer plants.
🌷 4. Feed Spring Bulbs for Next Year’s Flowers
Your daffodils and tulips may be fading, but they’re not finished yet. This is the time to give them a boost so they return stronger next spring.
🌿 Apply a liquid feed, like tomato feed, and allow the leaves to die back naturally—don’t be tempted to trim them too soon.
👩🌾 You’ll find a range of spring bulb feeds at Kings, plus expert advice if you’re not sure what to use.
🌱 5. Harden Off Seedlings and Cuttings
Before you plant out tender seedlings, they need time to adjust to outdoor conditions—a process called hardening off.
🌤️ Leave them outside in a sheltered spot during the day for 7–10 days, then bring them in at night. Gradually, they’ll toughen up and be ready for life outdoors.
🪴 Cold frames and mini greenhouses (available in-store) can help make this process smoother and less stressful for your plants.
🐞 6. Look Out for Lily Beetles and Vine Weevils
These pests are active now and can quickly damage your garden favourites.
🔍 Spot bright red lily beetles on plant leaves, and treat with an insecticide or by hand-picking.
🪱 Vine weevil larvae feed on roots—especially in pots. Use biological controls or suitable insecticides to keep them at bay.
We stock a range of the best pest treatments and are always happy to advise you on the best option for your garden.
🌡️ 7. Ventilate Your Greenhouse
As temperatures rise, greenhouse conditions can become stifling. Open vents and doors during the day to reduce humidity and allow air to circulate.
💡 Pro tip: Automatic vent openers are a great investment for hands-free greenhouse management.
🛠️ We stock a range of greenhouse accessories, from shading to vent kits—pop in and see what's new!
🛍️ Visit Kings Garden and Leisure – Your Garden, Our Passion
Whether you’re shopping for plants, pest control, feeds or tools, we’re here to help you make the most of your garden this May. Pop into our Exmouth or Sidmouth garden centres to find everything you need.
✅ May Gardening Jobs at a Glance:
-
Protect young plants from frost
-
Earth up potatoes
-
Plant summer tubs and containers
-
Feed and allow spring bulb foliage to die back
-
Harden off seedlings
-
Watch for pests
-
Ventilate your greenhouse