May
May is a delightful time of the year, with cool mornings perfect for planting, mulching and composting, and warm afternoons for potting.
Plant Nasturtiums now for a burst of colour in late Winter and early Spring. To maximize the amount of flowers, avoid over-fertilising them, and pinch off the running stems to keep the plants compact. In sub-tropical climates you can also plant flowering annuals such as Alyssum, Calendula, Carnation, Chrysanthemum, Cornflower, Delphinium, Dianthus, Gypsophila, Lobelia, Pansy, Snapdragon, Stock, Sweet Pea and Viola.
In Northern Australia start planting Tomatoes and Eggplant now, and in Southern Australia make sowings of cool loving vegetables such as Cabbage, Kale, Savoy Cabbage, Turnip, Swede, Celeriac and Parsnip. In most areas May is a great time to sow Broad Beans, Spinach, Lettuce and Onions. Broad Beans are a low maintenance plant that adds nitrogen to the soil as well as provide you with a tasty crop of beans in the Spring. Prune the tips to encourage bushy growth – these tender shoots can be steamed and eaten as a green vegetable too.
Flower bulbs to plant now include Bearded Iris and Alstroemerias, and you can still plant Daffodils, Crocus, Freesias, Hyacinths, Jonquils, Dutch Irises, Ranunculi and Tulips in most areas. Several produce bulbs are also in season including most potatoes, garlic and shallots, so plant them now for a late Winter harvest. Bulbs need little care and attention but always ensure they have adequate drainage for best performance.
Continue cutting back perennials such as Salvias, Asters and Rudbeckia. Pruning and mulching will also rejuvenate your perennial herbs such as Rosemary and Sage. Trim off Dahlias as they start to die back.
In most areas you can cut back watering during the cooler months, but keep an eye on any pot plants that may still dry out quite quickly. Give your annual flowers a liquid feed every couple of weeks to maximize Winter and Spring display. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers on frost-sensitive plants as it encourages new growth that is particularly susceptible to frost damage.
Happy gardening!
