May is an important time for pruning certain plants in your garden. Monty Don, the renowned gardening expert, emphasizes the need to prune early-flowering clematis in May to ensure an abundance of blooms next spring. Additionally, pruning lavender and hibiscus during this time can promote healthier growth and enhance their flowering potential.
If you’re struggling to keep your plants alive, don’t despair! There are some no-fuss plants, that are low-maintenance and can withstand even the most inexperienced gardener. Here are 4 of the best:
Hydrangeas are beloved for their captivating blooms, and they have the remarkable ability to change color based on the soil’s pH level. To achieve the coveted blue hue, follow these simple steps:
1. Test your soil’s pH level: Determine if your soil is acidic enough for blue hydrangeas. A pH of 5.5 or lower is ideal.
2. Choose a soil amendment: Aluminum sulfate is a common choice to increase soil acidity. Mix a quarter-ounce per gallon of water.
3. Apply the amendment: Soak the soil around your hydrangeas with the aluminum sulfate solution. Reapply monthly until the desired color is achieved.
4. Maintain soil acidity: Fertilize with acidic compost or organic matter to sustain the low pH level. Examples include orange peels, coffee grounds, and peat moss.
Remember, patience is key, as the color change may take some time. With these expert tips and consistent care, you’ll be rewarded with stunning blue hydrangeas that will undoubtedly be the envy of your garden.
Ivy, known for its aesthetic appeal, poses a significant threat to gardens and trees as an invasive plant species. Its destructive capabilities are evident in its ability to strangle neighboring plants and provide shelter for pests. The English ivy, in particular, is notorious for its relentless growth and resilience. However, a revolutionary product has emerged, offering gardeners a solution to annihilate this persistent plant: Elixir Gardens Deep Root Killing Glyphosate Weed Killer.
This weed killer effectively targets ivy and eliminates it permanently, leaving no trace behind. Its success lies in its potent ingredient, glyphosate, which serves as the most effective chemical agent against ivy. The product’s proven efficacy has garnered rave reviews from gardeners, who have witnessed its ability to eradicate ivy with ease.
To effectively combat ivy, it’s advisable to remove as much of the vine as possible before applying the weed killer. This ensures thorough penetration and maximum effectiveness. Elixir Gardens Deep Root Killing Glyphosate Weed Killer is available on Amazon for £18.69 and OnBuy for £18.49, providing an affordable solution to the troublesome ivy problem.
Traditionally perceived as an older generation’s pastime, gardening has gained newfound popularity among millennials and Gen Z. Young people are embracing the hobby for its mental health benefits, environmental impact, and community-building opportunities. By sharing their knowledge on platforms like TikTok, young gardeners are inspiring others to cultivate their own green spaces and connect with nature.
With May here, it’s time to prepare your garden for the warmer weather and summer season. Dobbies’ plant buyer, Nigel Lawton, has outlined his top gardening tips for May, including what to sow and plant. Here are his recommendations:
**Summer bedding:** May is the best month for planting summer bedding plants, which includes patio containers and hanging baskets, beds and borders. Nigel suggests planting geraniums as they are both vibrant and low maintenance.
**Seeds to sow:** This month, gardeners should sow cornflowers, sunflowers and daisies. He also suggests sowing seeds for crops such as cucumbers, broccoli, peas, spring onions, and courgettes. Now is also an ideal time to sow quick-growing crops such as salads and spinach which can be sown every 10 days for a continuous supply of leaves.
**Flowers to plant:** Roses, peonies, and gladiolus are some of the best flowers to plant in May. Nigel explains: “Roses and peonies will fill your garden with sweet summer fragrances, while gladiolus is ideal for adding to your cut flower bouquets.”
With spring in full swing, tulips and daffodils are gracing gardens with their vibrant hues. However, to ensure a flourishing display next year, it’s important to care for these spring bulbs properly. Experts recommend feeding them after flowering to replenish their energy reserves, a task that takes mere seconds. By providing them with additional nutrients, you’ll promote a ‘bumper display of flowers’ in the following season.
Gardening enthusiasts can enhance their gardens by following Monty Don’s expert advice. The “Chelsea Chop,” a strategic pruning technique named after the iconic Chelsea Flower Show, allows gardeners to prolong the blooming period of herbaceous perennials such as heleniums, sedums, and solidago. By cutting back a portion of the plant’s growth, side shoots will emerge, producing a burst of extra flowers later in the season, extending the colorful display into autumn. The Chelsea Chop is a crucial task for gardeners seeking a vibrant and extended show of blooms in their gardens.
Flies can be a nuisance, but there are natural ways to keep them away from your home. Some plants, such as lavender, eucalyptus, marigolds, basil, and mint, have strong scents that flies find repelling. These plants can be placed inside your home or near windows and doors to deter flies from entering. In addition to using plants, there are other ways to keep flies away from your home, such as keeping your home clean, disposing of food waste properly, and cleaning out drains regularly.
Growing juicy tomatoes is every gardener’s dream. But what does it take to produce the perfect tomato? Wanting to know how to cultivate their tomatoes to be ideal, a gardener took to social media and advice platform Reddit to see what fellow Redditors do in the pursuit of tasty tomatoes.
