In the Garden: Vegetables can be planted this month

Schizanthus pinnatus (Image: Archant)

Lawns will be green and lush, herbaceous beds looking healthy and fresh along with gorgeous flower blossom and scent on trees and shrubs.

This month the garden really will be bursting into life and there is plenty to do.

Audley End Garden in May is a real treat and a fabulous time to come and visit.

Large combinations of tulips continue to flower among wallflowers and early flowering herbaceous plants, such as hardy geraniums and peonies.

In the Kitchen Garden the trained fruit trees, although very early this year, are smothered with blossom and our show house display of schizanthus pinnatus is worth the visit alone! Stunning.

Here some jobs that you can tackle this month to keep your garden looking tip-top:

- We have had an unusually low amount of rainfall over the last six months. It is really important to water any plants that have only recently be planted to help them establish and stay healthy. Mulch with compost or wood bark afterwards to help lock in the moisture.

- Keep an eye on the weather as there may well still be a frost until mid to late May. Place plants outside when the conditions suit to harden them off before they are planted in their final positions.

- Vegetables can be sown and planted this month. Carrot and radish seed can be sown direct whilst broad beans, salads and leeks can be planted as small plants.

- Do not be tempted to mow off or cut back bulb foliage until five or six weeks after flowering. They need this time to replenish their energy ready for next year.

- Sow an annual meadow. This quick and easy job will give you a low maintenance stunning display that will last throughout the summer, along with encouraging plenty of wildlife to your garden. This can be done on any scale from a small container to a large area that will give you quick wow factor.

- Give your lawn an early summer feed. This is a perfect time to give your lawns a boost encouraging healthy growth and a reduction in moss and weeds. Follow the instructions carefully to avoid damaging or scorching your lawn.

- Plant sweet peas and tie them in as they romp away. These beautifully scented flowers are a must for any garden and can flower for weeks if given plenty of moisture and planted into rich soil.

Have a great month in your garden and hope to see you at Audley End very soon.