Top 10 Essential Gardening Jobs for UK Gardens in May

May is a month of energy, colour and opportunity in the UK garden. As the owner of Web Garden Centre, I’ve seen first-hand how getting things right now can set your outdoor space up for an outstanding summer. Here’s your complete guide to what you should be doing in your garden this month.

1. Plant Out Tender Veg & Bedding Plants

With the last frost date now behind us in most areas, it’s time to fill your beds, borders and containers with plants that will thrive through summer.

• Plant tomatoes, courgettes, sweetcorn, squash, and runner beans outside.
• Direct sow fast crops like radish, beetroot, spinach, and lettuce.
• Add colourful bedding such as petunias, begonias, and marigolds to borders and baskets.

Ensure all young plants are well-hardened off before planting. If you're starting from scratch, Mediterranean trees like olives also make stunning feature plants at this time of year.

2. Deadhead Spring Bulbs & Encourage Regrowth

Spring bulbs are now past their peak, but they’re not done giving. Deadheading prevents energy going to seed production and helps build strength for next year.

• Snip faded blooms of daffodils, tulips and hyacinths.
• Leave the foliage intact for 6–8 weeks to feed the bulb.
• Top-dress with a potash-rich fertiliser like tomato feed.

For extra colour while bulbs die back, interplant with annuals like cosmos or salvias.

3. Tackle Weeds and Mulch Smartly

Weeds are quick to take advantage of May’s warm soil and moisture. Act now to save yourself time later.

• Hoe lightly on dry days to disrupt weed seedlings.
• Apply a layer of mulch to borders to lock in moisture and suppress weeds.
• Use bark, compost, or even decorative gravel for different effects.

Don’t forget – our hedging range doubles up as weed-suppressing, low-maintenance structure around beds.

4. Prune Climbers and Shape Pleached Trees

Fast-growing climbers like clematis, honeysuckle and wisteria need attention this month. It’s also the time to monitor and shape pleached and espaliered trees.

• Prune back non-flowering shoots on wisteria to 3 buds.
• Tie in new growth using soft ties to prevent snapping.
• Check pleached tree frames and reposition if needed.

Looking to add height and privacy? Browse our new pleached tree collection with £50 OFF your first order of 2+ trees and an extra £100 OFF when you buy 4 or more.

5. Feed, Repair and Maintain Lawns

With regular mowing, feeding and edge trimming, your lawn can become the lush green carpet of dreams this summer.

• Raise your mower blades to prevent scalping.
• Apply nitrogen-rich fertiliser to boost growth.
• Patch bare areas using a mix of seed and topsoil.

We recommend keeping a lawn edge tool or half-moon edger nearby to keep a sharp boundary.

6. Attract Pollinators with Planting

Encouraging biodiversity benefits everyone. Insects like bees and butterflies are vital to food production and flower health.

• Plant nectar-rich flowers like lavender, foxgloves, and verbena.
• Leave some wild corners or dandelions untouched.
• Install bee hotels or bird baths to offer water and shelter.

Explore our growing range of herbs and pollinator-friendly plants to build a garden that supports nature.

7. Harvest and Protect Early Crops

May is the start of harvest season for early sowings like:

• Rhubarb (especially if forced), spinach and early lettuce.
• Strawberries – net these before birds beat you to them.

Water consistently and harvest regularly to promote fresh growth.

8. Prep Baskets and Pots for Summer Displays

May is the best time to plant up containers and hanging baskets for an explosion of summer colour.

• Use fresh compost and add water-retaining granules.
• Mix trailing plants (like bacopa) with upright choices (like pelargoniums).
• Pinch out tips early for bushier growth.

For bigger impact, try citrus or statement plants like the Kaffir Lime Tree or our stunning Gnarled Grapevine.

9. Shape Trees and Trim Evergreen Hedges

Now that new growth has begun, it’s a good time to give structure to trees and hedges.

• Lightly trim laurel, yew, box and Portuguese laurel hedging.
• Check for nesting birds before pruning.
• Inspect tree ties and supports and loosen if needed.

Need instant screening? Our hedging range is ideal for quick privacy and low maintenance boundaries.

10. Plan Ahead and Keep Growing

Don’t stop now! Get a head start on June by:

• Sowing biennials like foxglove and wallflower for next spring.
• Ordering late summer and autumn flowering perennials.
• Feeding trees, shrubs and roses before they flower.

Check our shop for weekly plant deliveries and free delivery on plants up to 1.6m tall.

Grow With Confidence – Only at Web Garden Centre

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned gardener, we’re here to help. We’re proud to offer premium plants, trees and growing advice – all backed by expert service and fast, reliable UK delivery.

• 📦 Delivery within 90 miles of Sway
• ✅ Specialist pleached and Mediterranean trees
• 🌿 Friendly service from passionate growers

Ready to transform your garden this May? Visit us online today and explore the full collection at webgardencentre.com.