May in the garden

May is one of the best months to be outside. The garden is full of fresh growth, seedlings are racing away, and the weather (usually) settles enough for planting out. There’s colour, energy and promise everywhere you look.

It’s also a busy month — watering, weeding, planting and protecting — but all the effort feels worth it as the garden bursts into life.

You’ll find a full list for May sowing in the Easy Seed Planner.

🥕 Vegetable Highlights

Sow indoors or under cover: courgettes, pumpkins, cucumbers, sweetcorn and runner beans if you haven’t already.

Sow outside: carrots, beetroot, radish, lettuce, spinach, turnips, peas, French beans and spring onions.

Plant out: hardened-off brassicas, leeks, onions, beetroot, lettuce and early sweetcorn once frost danger has passed.

Tip: early May can still bring cold nights — keep fleece or cloches ready for those surprise frosts.

Veggie jobs this May…

• Harden off all indoor-raised plants before planting out.
• Keep up with regular hoeing and weeding while the soil is soft.
• Tie in climbing beans and peas as they grow.
• Earth up potatoes to protect the developing tubers.
• Water young crops regularly in dry spells.
• Keep an eye out for slugs and snails — they’re keen on tender new leaves.
• Start thinking about shade or shelter for delicate plants if hot weather arrives.

 🪴 Herby Highlights & Things to Do

• Harvest chives, parsley and mint as they put on strong new growth.
• Sow basil, coriander and dill for a steady supply through summer.
• Cut back thyme, sage and oregano lightly after flowering.
• Divide any large clumps of herbs to make new plants.
• Feed container herbs with a diluted liquid feed every couple of weeks.

🌻 May Flower Power

• Sow hardy and half-hardy annuals for borders and cutting gardens.
• Plant out hardy annuals sown earlier in the year.
• Move summer bedding outside once the risk of frost has passed.
• Deadhead spring bulbs but let foliage die back naturally.
• Keep watering newly planted containers and hanging baskets.
• Pinch out growing tips on sweet peas to encourage more flowers.
For more options, filter the flowers by sow in May in the Easy Seed Planner.

🍓 Fruity Actions

• Mulch around fruit bushes and trees to hold in moisture.
• Protect ripening strawberries with netting.
• Feed fruiting plants with a high-potash fertiliser.
• Thin out overcrowded apple and pear fruits for better quality later.
• Tie in new growth on raspberries and blackberries.
• Keep watering soft fruit during dry spells — it makes a big difference to yields.

🧹 General Bits and Bobs

• Keep birdbaths and water dishes topped up.
• Watch for aphids on young shoots and rub or wash them off.
• Mow the lawn regularly, raising blades slightly in dry weather.
• Keep an eye on water butts — rainfall can drop sharply this month.
• Check ties and stakes as plants grow quickly now.
• Take time to enjoy how quickly everything changes — it’s a lovely time of year to be in the garden.

🌾 Planting Out & Hardening Off

With frost behind us in most areas, May is the time to move your young plants into their summer homes.

• Gradually harden off plants raised indoors by putting them outside during the day and bringing them in at night for a week or two.
• Choose a mild, still day for planting.
• Water well before and after planting out.
• Space plants properly — it’s tempting to squeeze them in, but they’ll thank you later.
• Keep fleece handy for an unexpected cold snap.

It’s one of the most satisfying jobs of the year — finally seeing your garden fill with healthy young plants.

🌸 May is when your garden really takes shape.

From tidy rows to bright borders, everything’s growing fast — and it’s a joy to be part of it. Check the Easy Seed Planner and our May Offers for ideas to keep your garden thriving all season long.