From thescottishsun.co.uk
By Anita Markoff
GETTING your garden ready for summer might seem like a daunting task.
But it doesn't have to be, according to an expert.
There are some easy steps you can take right now to make sure your plants are blooming by the time the warmer weather arrives.
And May is the month to make that happen.
Chris Bonnett, founder of GardeningExpress.co.uk, said: "May is the ideal time to begin planting vegetables and mulch your existing plants for their longevity. You can also start to plant the last of your summer bulbs, carry on deadheading and create some natural pest deterrents.
"By aiming to get this prep done now, you can make sure your garden is ready for you to enjoy throughout the summer."
Here are 10 tricks which will make sure your green space is looking in the pink.
Keep a gardening diary
Write down what seeds you are sowing and planting this summer, so you are prepared when autumn rolls around.
Summer is a busy month for jobs around the garden, so keeping notes on what new plants you are growing will help you keep track.
Collect rainwater
Take advantage of any late spring showers by placing a large bucket or water barrel in your garden.
This way you will be able to water your garden easily during the hot months, even if a hosepipe ban gets put in place.
Tidy plant beds
Make sure to deadhead your spring flowers and keep them well watered.
This will mean your flower beds look fresh and have the longest possible life span.
Pansies, for example, can last until midsummer if they are properly maintained.
Grow some tomatoes
Keep some young tomato plants in the sunniest corners of your house before planting them in your garden at the end of May.
They will ripen just in time for the first barbecue of summer.
Quirky looking ones like the Costoluto Fiorentino can add some variety to your views.
Mow the lawn
If you have not started taking care of the grass yet, May is a good opportunity to tackle it before the hotter months.
Patience is key though, and it is best to gradually lower your blades of grass over the summer to give the garden a smooth finish.
If you attempt to cut it all in one go, it may turn out uneven.
Plant hanging baskets
If you want to add a spot of colour to your garden in time for summer, May is an ideal time to pick out types of flowers to compliment your space.
This is also a good solution if you have a limited amount of space to grow your blooms.
Open your greenhouse on warm days
Let some fresh air in to your crops to prevent them from suffocating on days when the sun is shining and greenhouse temperatures start to rise.
Make natural deterrents for pests
If you want pest deterrent that is poison free, there are two good natural solutions which will protect your growing plants.
You can scoop the flesh out of a melon or grapefruit, and leave it near your buds.
Slugs will be more attracted to the fruit than the flora, and you will be able to spot them munching the next day and remove them from your garden.
You can also buy natural wool pellets and place them around your plants as a barrier.
After they are watered they will expand and become an itchy deterrent insects will not want to go near.
Plant bulbs
May is the last chance to plant any bulbs, with warmer weather so close by.
If you want to have summer flowering plants in your garden, like gladioli, then prioritise planting these at the start of the month so they bloom in time.
Plant vegetables
May is a perfect month for sowing.
The expert suggests planting radish, cabbage, broad beans, beetroots, or swedes.
This should produce some excellent salads that you can enjoy in your little paradise in the sun.
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