Top Three Jobs in the Garden During May

May is one of the most rewarding months for gardeners. With warmer days, longer evenings, and the risk of frost largely behind us, the garden bursts into life. But it's also one of the busiest periods of the year—timing is everything if you want to set your garden up for a spectacular summer.

Here are the top three essential jobs to tackle in your garden this May, based on guidance from leading horticultural experts.

1. Prune Spring-Flowering Shrubs Immediately After Bloom
Why it matters: Spring-flowering shrubs like lilac, forsythia, azalea, and rhododendron set their buds for next year almost immediately after flowering. If you wait too long to prune, you'll cut off next season's blooms.

What to do:

Wait until the flowers have completely faded
Remove dead or diseased wood first
Shape the shrub by cutting back spent flower stems to healthy buds
Thin out older branches to improve air circulation
Expert tip: According to The English Garden, pruning at this precise moment encourages tidy growth and can even promote a second flush of colour in some varieties. Don't rush this task—patience ensures you'll enjoy blooms year after year.

2. Plant Out Summer Bedding and Fill Hanging Baskets
Why it matters: May is the golden window for establishing summer colour. Once the last frost threat passes (often late May in many parts of the UK), tender plants can go outside to thrive through the growing season.

What to plant:

Bedding plants: Petunias, begonias, fuchsias, geraniums
Tubers: Dahlias and canna bulbs
Hanging baskets: Mix trailing and upright varieties for full displays

How to succeed:

Harden off first: If you've grown seedlings under cover, gradually acclimatise them to outdoor conditions over 7–10 days
Choose sunny spots: Most summer bedding loves well-drained soil and full sun
Feed regularly: Container plants need weekly feeding once established
As Cherry Lane Garden Centres notes, "May is the perfect time to plant up hanging baskets with colourful summer favourites such as petunias, fuchsias and geraniums." These displays will provide continuous colour from June through September.

3. Give Your Lawn a Boost and Try the "Chelsea Chop"
Why it matters: Lawns need attention before summer heat sets in, and the famous "Chelsea Chop" technique extends flowering seasons for perennials.

Lawn Care Tasks
Aerate: Punch holes in compacted soil to improve drainage and root growth
Overseed: Early May is the last chance to sow a new lawn this year
Fertilise: Apply a spring lawn feed to encourage lush green growth

The Chelsea Chop
Named after the timing of the Chelsea Flower Show, this technique involves lightly pruning late-flowering perennials (such as phlox, sedum, and aster) in late May. The result?

Bushier, more compact plants
Delayed but extended flowering period
Reduces the risk of plants flopping over in summer rain
Country Living confirms this is "a great time to lay the groundwork for the season ahead" with these labour-intensive jobs before the peak summer months arrive.

Bonus Tips for May Gardening Success
Direct-sow vegetables: Quick-growing crops like lettuce, radishes, and carrots can be planted now for early summer harvests
Watch for pests: Aphids and slugs become active in May—inspect plants regularly
Water wisely: As temperatures rise, establish good watering habits early
Deadhead early blooms: Remove spent flowers from spring bulbs and early perennials to redirect energy

Final Thoughts
May in the garden is a balancing act between enjoying the beauty around you and laying the groundwork for summer success. Focus on these three priority tasks—pruning spring shrubs, planting summer bedding, and caring for your lawn—and you'll be rewarded with a vibrant, thriving garden throughout the warmer months.

Remember, gardening is as much about timing as it is about technique. Get these jobs done now, and your garden will thank you all season long.