GardenAdvice Gardening Calendar – 2nd Week in May 2026
The second week of May is one of the busiest and most rewarding periods in the gardening year. Soil temperatures are rising quickly, daylight hours are extending, and the risk of frost is beginning to reduce across many parts of the UK. This is the ideal week to focus on planting, feeding, mulching, lawn care, greenhouse management, and preparing your garden for strong summer growth.
This week is all about building momentum in the garden while keeping on top of maintenance tasks before growth becomes too vigorous. Many plants are now entering rapid growth phases and will benefit greatly from feeding, watering, and support systems put in place now.
Feeding Borders and Shrubs
This is an excellent week to apply a general fertiliser such as Growmore around garden borders, shrubs, roses, and fruit bushes.
GardenAdvice generally recommends:
- One handful of Growmore per square metre
- Apply before rain where possible
- Water in well during dry periods
Once plants begin strong leafy growth, follow up every 2–3 weeks with a liquid tomato fertiliser to encourage flowering and fruiting.
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This feeding approach works particularly well for:
- Roses
- Clematis
- Dahlias
- Container plants
- Newly planted shrubs
- Vegetables
- Hanging baskets
Mulching Garden Beds
May is the perfect time to mulch borders while the soil is warming and moisture levels are still relatively good.
Recommended mulches include:
- Compost
- Well-rotted manure
- Bark mulch
- Leaf mould
- Wood chippings
Benefits include:
- Moisture retention
- Weed suppression
- Improved soil structure
- Better summer drought resistance
Before mulching, remove weeds and apply fertiliser first. GardenAdvice often recommends feeding prior to mulching to avoid nutrient lock-up during decomposition.
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Planting Summer Containers and Hanging Baskets
As temperatures improve, this is the ideal week to begin planting:
- Geraniums
- Petunias
- Bacopa
- Lobelia
- Fuchsias
- Begonias
- Trailing tomatoes
- Herbs for patio containers
If frost is still forecast in your region, keep baskets in a greenhouse or porch overnight.
Tips:
- Use peat-free compost mixed with slow-release fertiliser
- Add water-retaining gel for baskets exposed to full sun
- Start liquid feeding once plants establish
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Supporting and Training Climbers
Climbing plants are now producing rapid soft growth and should be tied in regularly before stems harden.
Focus on:
- Clematis
- Climbing roses
- Jasmine
- Honeysuckle
- Espalier fruit trees
Horizontal training encourages:
- More flowering shoots
- Better wall coverage
- Improved fruit production in trained fruit trees
Install wires and trellis systems now before summer growth becomes difficult to manage.
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Vegetable Garden Tasks
This is a major sowing and planting week in the vegetable garden.
Direct sow outdoors:
- Carrots
- Beetroot
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- French beans
- Peas
- Spring onions
Plant out:
- Tomatoes
- Courgettes
- Sweetcorn
- Pumpkins
- Brassicas
If nights remain cool, use:
- Cloches
- Horticultural fleece
- Bell jars
Successional sowing every 2–3 weeks will ensure crops continue through summer.
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Lawn Care
Lawns are now growing strongly and require regular maintenance.
Key tasks:
- Mow weekly
- Feed lawns if not already done
- Overseed thin patches
- Edge borders
- Water newly seeded areas
If conditions are dry:
- Water deeply rather than lightly
- Early morning watering is best
Microclover lawns can also be overseeded during late spring if irrigation is available.
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Slug and Pest Control
Young plants are highly vulnerable during May.
GardenAdvice recommends preparing early slug and pest control measures including:
- Slug nematodes
- Beer traps
- Evening inspections
- Copper barriers around containers
- Pheromone traps for fruit trees
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Wet springs can significantly increase slug populations later in the season.
Greenhouse and Glasshouse Tasks
Greenhouses can now heat up rapidly during sunny days.
Important jobs:
- Open vents early in the day
- Increase ventilation
- Water regularly
- Shade tender seedlings during extreme heat
- Begin training tomatoes and cucumbers
Humidity control is essential to reduce fungal and bacterial disease problems.
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Pond and Wildlife Garden Care
Wildlife ponds become increasingly active in May.
Tasks include:
- Removing excess blanketweed
- Dividing pond plants
- Checking pumps and filters
- Topping up ponds during dry weather
Avoid fully cleaning wildlife ponds at this time as amphibians and insect life are highly active.
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Fruit Garden Jobs
Fruit trees and soft fruit are now setting fruit.
Important jobs:
- Water fruit trees during dry spells
- Feed strawberries and fruit bushes
- Thin heavy fruit sets if required
- Install codling moth traps on apple trees
- Protect strawberries from birds
Water stress during fruit set can lead to poor fruit retention later in the season.
Useful links:
- Spring fruit tree care
- Fruit tree winter wash, pruning and grease bands
- Environmentally-friendly pest control for fruit trees
Gardening Tip This Week
This is one of the best weeks of the year to photograph your garden and note areas needing improvement later in the season. Recording:
- Gaps in borders
- Colour combinations
- Poor-performing plants
- Areas needing screening or structure
will help enormously with future garden planning and autumn planting schemes.
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