Maggie Baldwin from Thetford Garden and Allotment Club has shared her latest gardening tips for May, covering everything from bee-friendly planting and late frosts to greenhouse tomato care and vegetable sowing.
May has arrived and although there can be warm sunshine, frosts can still occur in mid May, so be wary and ensure that all bedding is hardened off before planting out.
It’s a busy month for gardening and gardening events with RHS Chelsea Flower Show taking place. I always like to see the new introductions in the floral marquee, the show gardens and even just people watching whilst relaxing and resting my feet with a cuppa!
Don’t forget the Thetford Open Gardens plant sale at 28 Arlington Way on Saturday 10th May starting at 9am, a good time to buy some new plants and support St Nicholas Hospice Care at the same time.
World Bee Day is celebrated on 20th May. There are 24 species of bumblebee alone in the UK without honeybees and solitary bees. Bumblebees are hairier and more able to venture out on cold days when honeybees stayed tucked up inside their hives. They play a vital role in pollinating many crops that provide food for us to eat as well as flowers. No Mow May can play a vital part in providing food for bees.
Early flowering shrubs such as Forsythia, Ribes and Kerria can be trimmed after flowering. This gives them the maximum time to produce new wood for flowering next year. You should avoid cutting hedges now to ensure nesting birds are not disturbed.
It’s a busy time in the vegetable garden. From the middle of the month French and runner beans can be sown directly in the ground. It’s preferable to have the supports in place before sowing.
Get the strawberries strawed and netted before the end of the month to protect ripening fruit from hungry birds!
Support new growth on greenhouse tomatoes by tying in to a wire or vertical cane, pinch out sideshoots so the plant can put its energy in producing fruit.
Last month saw the Club hold its Spring Show, with the variable weather there were few tulips on show but nevertheless there were 89 exhibits put in by eleven people across flowers, vegetables, crafts and culinary. Well done to all the winners!
Happy Gardening!
Maggie Baldwin
