Monty Don reveals the common gardening mistake people make in May - and how to avoid it

Daily Mail​

02-05-2025

Gardening experts has revealed the common mistakes people make in May as they get their crops ready for summer.
Monty Don took to his Gardeners' World blog to reveal which jobs need to be completed this month to prepare for summer.
In particular, those who want to grow tomatoes should plant them now - but keep them in a greenhouse.
'It is time to plant out tomatoes in a greenhouse - although wait till the end of the month for outdoor ones,' he wrote.
'This is because tomatoes hate too much temperature fluctuation and May nights can be chilly - especially if the days are warm'.
Tomatoes should only be planted outside towards the end of the month, as the soil needs to be 13C to 16C for them to thrive.
Planting them too early can slow down the growth and interfere with pollination - which will mean they won't taste as nice.
Meanwhile, another expert has warned against over watering to planting things too close together.
As the temperatures rise, gardeners may fear their beloved plants might dry out and as a result give them a liberal watering.
Certain plants like basil and tomatoes are thirsty and those who are growing their own veg will want to give them the best start.
But over watering can be just as deadly to plants as under watering and the best way to avoid drowning them is to check the soil moisture level before reaching for the watering can, according to the expert from Yell.
As a general rule, aim to water your plants once a week in the morning or evening to avoid the heat of the day.
An easy test is to simply dig a little into the soil near the base of the plant to give you a good idea if the roots are dry.
Some plants may need more regular watering such as Begonias, which can be watered daily or when the top of the soil is dry.
However, lavender plants don't need as much watering after they are established since they're drought-tolerant.
And there are also ideal times of the day to water plants. Make sure to water the when the temperature is cooler, either early in the morning or later at night.
Newly planted flowers also require more regular watering until they are well established.
Protect your plants from disease
When buying plants, it's important to make sure you're planting them at the right time to avoid missing the best season to establish them.
Planting at the wrong time can result in issues such as root rot and other diseases, as the plant may not be prepared for harsher conditions.
For summer-flowering plants and bulbs, aim to plant them in May; think of flowers such as dahlias and gladioli.
It's important to do some planning and research to determine the best time to plant your chosen flowers and bulbs, ensuring they remain healthy throughout.
For vegetables, now is the perfect time to sow French beans and to plant tomatoes outside as long as they've been made hardy by being moved from an inside windowsill to a greenhouse.
Weed weed weed!
Weeds aren't just unsightly, they can also have a negative impact on the health of your garden.
A common mistake gardeners make is to do a big weed of the garden and then leave it for a few weeks.
A common mistake gardeners make is to do a big weed of the garden and then leave it for a few weeks but it's actually much better to weed regularly to stop them taking over
It's important to weed regularly to prevent them from stealing nutrients and water from your plants.
If left, weeds can quickly return in large numbers, becoming much harder to manage over time. They can also act as a home and food source for pests, increasing the risk of plant diseases.
Be sure to remove weeds as soon as you spot them, pulling them up from the root to prevent regrowth and reduce the chance of seeds being left behind in the soil.
You can also try mulching or ground covers, like membranes, to stop weeds from returning.
Avoid harder planting options
Choosing which plants to buy when you're just starting out in gardening can feel a bit overwhelming.
Aspirational gardeners might start with exciting varieties that pack a punch for the summer but they can be difficult to maintain.
A good place to begin is with hardy, low-maintenance varieties.
Most plants sold in garden centres come with a 'plant passport', which is a helpful label that includes care instructions, as well as the temperatures and locations the plant can tolerate. This makes it easier to select plants that will suit your garden's conditions.
Perennials are an excellent choice for beginners, as they return year after year with minimal effort and bloom from May onwards.
Evergreen shrubs and bushes are also a great option, since they're hardy and require less ongoing care and offer a and offer a riot of green.
Bulbs are also considered an easy option for beginners, and there's plenty of variety to pick from, like daffodils or snowdrops all of which should still be showing their heads well in to May.
Keep the soil enriched
An often-forgotten aspect of the garden is the soil.
Having healthy soil is the best way to start your gardening hobby as plants need fertile soil which is rich in nutrients to support healthy growth and ensure they receive enough oxygen and water.
Soil contains vital nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, all of which are crucial for plant health. To keep your soil rich, regularly add compost, manure, or natural fertilisers.
Mulching is another effective method to help your soil. This involves covering the soil with a layer of organic material, such as bark or grass.
Don't overcrowd
For keen gardeners it can be tempting to crowd as many flowers and vegetables into as much space as possible.
Nothing looks better than pots full of flowers and a veg patch bursting with growing cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce.
But overcrowding plants can be damaging to their growth.
Plants need space for their roots to grow and to make sure they are getting enough nutrients and not competing with other plants around them.
Overcrowding can also lead to an increased risk of fungal diseases due to a lack of air circulation.
When spacing your plants this Bank Holiday weekend, make sure you look at how big these are expected to grow; this information can be found on a plant's passport or online.
Once you know its expected dimensions, it's best to leave room on either side. If a plant is expected to grow between 1 or 2 ft, it's best to leave about 50 cm around it for spacing to avoid competition for nutrients.