1. Protect plants from late frosts

Late frosts harming plants is a common problem in May for people who are looking forward to a good crop! One of the most effective solutions is to cover the plants with fleeces, held down by battens and then poly sheets from the top down to the widest part, and if your plant is already affected, cut away any infected or dead leaves as soon as possible!

2. Earth up potatoes

Earthing up potatoes is a delicate but necessary part of the growing cycle and involves drawing up mounds of earth around the base of the plant to prevent the tubers from growing and turning green and poisonous. This also helps to prevent blight infection and the earthing should start once the shoots have reached 20cms. Remove any weeds that have appeared and maintain the mounds bearing in mind any heavy rainfall that may occur.

3. Plant out summer bedding

May is perhaps the latest month to plant out any summer bedding as you can start in April or even March in warmer climes, however attention must be paid to getting well-prepared soil with efficient drainage to stop any bulbs rotting. Geraniums, oriental poppies, delphiniums and marigolds always make beautiful displays.

4. Collect rainwater and investigate recycling water for irrigation

Rainwater can be collected by re-directing drainpipes into dustbins, water butts and large gallon tanks underneath your home. This not only saves time, money and energy but will come in very handy should there be a hosepipe ban in your area! Header tanks can shift larger volumes of water into irrigation systems in your garden as they pump saved rainwater down the channels between flower beds which then flows through the holes ans waters the garden efficiently. Most water butts can be found in local garden centres and nurseries.

5. Regularly hoe off weeds

Use a hoe with a handle at least 4.5 feet (1.4 m) long so you can work standing straight and not bent over, which can strain your back. Keep the blade sharp by filing it often with a steel file. Sever weeds by sliding the blade just below them, parallel to the surface. While hoeing to uproot weeds, you expose more soil to the air, which lets more moisture evaporate. In very dry conditions, use pruning shears to clip off weeds at the soil surface and follow up with water retentive organic mulch.

6. Open the greenhouse doors on warm days

Your plants will not only benefit from some warm fresh air, but venturing into your greenhouse in early spring will help you to see the winter growth and trim any plants that need a boost before summer It will also help you detect any bugs or diseases that may have started.

7. Mow lawns weekly

Mowing lawns is tyoically done between March and October; an occasional cut during a mild spell is ok during winter but lawns are largely better cut regularly throughout the summer to encourage regular and healthy growth. Weekly mowing will also allow you to spot any drier patches or failing lawn areas as well as keeping it all properly maintained.

8. Check for nesting birds before clipping hedges!

Hedges require regular pruning back, sometimes to 15cm but do check for any birds nests as it is now a legal offense to damage them!

9. Lift and divide overcrowded lumps of spring-flowering bulbs

Dividing the plants that have become overcrowded in spring is always a good idea as it will promote further growth during summer and help the plants become healthier. Divied any large clumps by cutting around the base and lifting the whole plant out, and then with a sharp spade, separate it up and plant the new pieces into new holes with freshly dug and well irrigated soil.

10. Watch out for vibernum beetles

These creamy white larvae cause the damage in early Summer before pupating inside the ground. Adult beetles which have lain their eggs emerge in July and August the previous year will have them hatch the following spring. Viburnum are seldom serious although they can be very disfiguring. In a severe outbreak, prune out affected parts – and hopefully this will take the adults and/or eggs away too. Cultivate beneath the plant and hang some fat balls in the bush to encourage birds to visit and eat the pupating larvae in the soil.