The month of May is the moment when the garden really comes to life. Spring is in full swing, everything is growing, blooming and getting ready for the high season. It is a month of sowing, planting, enjoying and preparing for a long, green summer.
Whether you have a full garden, a balcony or a few pots on the terrace – May is a month full of gardening fun.
What to do in the garden in May?
1. After the Ice Saints: start planting!
From Medio may (after the Ice Saints) the risk of night frost is over. Time to help summer bloomers, vegetables and young plants into the open ground.
What can you plant or transplant now?
- Dahlias
- Annual bloomers such as petunia, cosmos, zinnia
- Vegetable plants: tomato, zucchini, cucumber
- Summer bulbs such as gladioli, lilies and crocosmia
Tip: Plant dahlias in groups of three for a full, colourful appearance.
2. Filling borders and pots
The bare spots in the border can now be filled with perennials or bloomers. Think of:
- Salvia, rudbeckia, coneflower
- Lavender, campanula, geranium
- Hydrangea, agapanthus or ornamental grass in pots
Combination tip: Combine flowering plants with structural plants (such as grasses or potted boxwood) for balance.
3. Lawn and soil care
Mow the grass weekly, but not too short
If necessary, sprinkle lawn food for a deep green colour
Mulch or compost borders to retain moisture and replenish nutrients
4. Harvesting & sowing in the vegetable garden
You can now sow in abundance: carrots, radishes, lettuce, beets, beans
Herbs such as basil, coriander and dill also do well in May
Strawberries in bloom? Give them some straw or fleece to protect the fruits
5. Maintenance & preparation
Remove faded flowers for longer flowering
Tie up climbing plants (such as clematis, passion flower or rose)
Check potted plants for drying out – especially on sunny days
Hang up nesting boxes or leave corners with leaves for hedgehogs and insects
Plant inspiration for May
For fragrance and colour:
- Lily of the Valley (traditional symbol on May 1)
- Honeysuckle or jasmine (fragrant and climbing)
- Allium (ornamental onion), blooming now and providing structure
For bees and butterflies:
- Buddleja, salvia, lavender
- Echinacea (coneflower), verbena bonariensis
For pot or balcony:
- Geraniums, lobelia, petunias
- Tomatoes, herbs, strawberries
Enjoy the moment
May is not only a month of doing, but also of enjoying. Set up your garden furniture, give your plants a good start and also take time to pause for a moment – at a fragrant bloomer, a budding seed or the first fluttering butterfly.
Ready for a colorful May?
Browse our selection of summer bloomers, perennials, herbs and matching pots – all ready to make your garden or balcony bloom. Straight from our nursery, carefully packaged, delivered ready to plant.
