As the days grow longer and temperatures start to rise, May is one of the most exciting months in the gardening calendar. With new life bursting everywhere, it’s the perfect time to roll up your sleeves and give your garden the care and attention it needs to flourish through spring and into summer.
At All Seasons Garden Maintenance, we’re passionate about helping homeowners across Surrey – from Epsom to Banstead, Ashtead to Dorking – create and maintain beautiful, thriving outdoor spaces.
Here are our essential May gardening tips to keep your garden looking its best this month.
1. Perfect Your Lawn
May is a crucial time for lawn care. Warmer days and occasional showers create ideal growing conditions for your grass.
Mow regularly to encourage strong, healthy growth. Keep blades set a little higher early in the month to avoid stressing the grass.
Feed your lawn with a spring fertiliser to boost growth and colour.
Tackle weeds early. A healthy, thick lawn is your best defence against weeds setting in.
For those looking for help with regular garden maintenance in Surrey, All Seasons Garden Maintenance can take care of lawn mowing, feeding, and repairs so you can enjoy a lush, green space all summer long.
2. Plant Summer Bedding
Now the risk of frost is minimal, you can start planting summer bedding plants. Think petunias, marigolds, and geraniums for a burst of colour.
Harden off young plants first by placing them outside during the day and bringing them in at night for a week or two.
Once hardened off, plant out into beds, borders, and containers for a vibrant display through summer.
3. Keep on Top of Weeding
May is prime growing season for everything – including weeds!
Regular hand weeding or hoeing is the easiest way to prevent weeds from establishing.
Apply a mulch to beds and borders to suppress weed growth and retain moisture in the soil.
If you’re too busy to keep on top of garden chores, our professional garden care services can help take the pressure off.
4. Prune Spring-Flowering Shrubs
Now’s the time to prune back early flowering shrubs like forsythia, chaenomeles (flowering quince), and ribes (flowering currant).
Remove any dead or damaged stems.
Trim back after flowering to encourage new growth and better blooms next year.
Pruning can be tricky if you’re unsure what to cut – our expert team at All Seasons Garden Maintenance is always here to help with specialist pruning services.
5. Support Climbing Plants
Clematis, sweet peas, and other climbers are in full growth now and need good support.
Tie in new shoots to trellises, arches, and frames.
Regular tying will help plants grow evenly and reduce damage from wind.
6. Care for Wildlife
At All Seasons, we love gardens that encourage wildlife. In May:
Keep bird baths topped up with clean water.
Leave a small patch of longer grass or wildflowers to support bees and butterflies.
Avoid using harsh chemicals that can harm beneficial insects.
A wildlife-friendly garden not only helps the environment but also creates a more vibrant and natural outdoor space.
7. Fruit and Vegetable Care
If you grow your own, May is a busy time:
Plant out tender vegetables like courgettes, beans, and tomatoes once frost danger has passed.
Thin seedlings to give each plant space to grow strong.
Protect crops like strawberries and lettuces from slugs using eco-friendly methods.
We’re passionate about supporting customers in Surrey who want to grow their own food, whether it’s a few pots of herbs or a full veg patch!
8. Water Wisely
As temperatures climb, watering becomes more important.
Water deeply and less often to encourage strong root growth.
Water early morning or late evening to reduce evaporation.
Newly planted shrubs, bedding plants, and vegetables will need more regular watering until they establish.
9. Plan Ahead
Use May to plan for summer:
Think about adding new features like raised beds, patios, or borders.
Start planning late summer or autumn-flowering plants now, such as dahlias and crocosmia.
If you’re considering bigger changes, our team can help with everything from planting plans to complete garden transformations across Surrey.
Final Thoughts
May is one of the busiest and most rewarding months for gardening. By tackling essential tasks now, you’ll set the stage for a colourful, healthy garden throughout the warmer months ahead.
At All Seasons Garden Maintenance, we’re here to help with garden care in Surrey, whether you need regular maintenance, seasonal support, or help preparing your garden for the months ahead.
If you’d love more free time and a flourishing garden, get in touch with us today – and let us keep your outdoor space looking its very best this spring!
