May Flowers, but Still the Chance of Frost

• Protect tender new growth from frosts by covering with newspaper or horticultural fleece at night if there is a cold spell or very clear nights.

• Half-Hardy annuals and tender vegetables can be planted out gradually through the month, depending on how sheltered the area is

• Keep the greenhouse well ventilated and water regularly as warm days and rapidly growing plants will dry soil quickly.  

• In the vegetable garden, begin to start succession sowing of salad crops for a continuous supply.

• Continue to mow lawns regularly with blades set higher than normal - especially if the dry weather continues.  Moss and broadleaf weeds should be treated now, but most treatments require rain shortly after treatment, so check the forecast.

• Leave the foliage of Spring bulbs to die down naturally – don’t be tempted to cut or tie.  It’s a good idea to give them a water with a high potassium fertiliser such as a liquid tomato feed.  

• Continue the biological control of Vine Weevil larvae with the application of a nematode soil drench, and control Box Tree Moth caterpillars with a bacterial wash (for example, Dipel or XenTari). 

• Continue to sow annuals and vegetable seeds, and prick out and pot on any seedlings as they grow.

• Slug pellets containing Metaldehyde have now been banned for use.  Try to use Garlic wash or other natural methods of control (including encouraging wildlife) to limit damage by slugs and snails.