The garden has truly blossomed this month, and I have delighted in spending LOTS of time outside.

I have enjoyed the scent of the Apple blossom from my late father’s garden bench.

And the view along the garden, including the flowering of these Alliums:

Yellow Narcissus “Sun Disc” companions have complemented their purple hues:

Pink, purple, blue and white varieties of Aquilegia are smiling in the sunshine. The yellow species have yet to flower.

Another cottage favourite is Bleeding Heart or Dicentra spectabilis, which is looking amazing:

The candelabra Primula are poking their heads above ground:

The following are a few of May’s little corners of loveliness:

Jobs for May

Mulching

My back garden has a number of shady areas, but this central patch gets a lot of sunshine.

I gave it a good mulch with compost in early May:

The mulch has helped feed the plants, retain moisture and keep the weeds at bay.

You can see a few weeks growth below:

Weeding

The weeds are growing fast, and weeding has become an almost endless task. My garden is completely organic so I do not use herbicides.

Planting Pots

I wait till late May to plant up my pots. The weather here in Ireland can be unpredictable and planting earlier can result in frost damage.

Perennial Divisions

Perennial divisions are best completed before early May, and you can fill quite a few gaps in your borders for FREE.

I have been asked to post tasks in the garden a month in advance, so here goes:

Jobs for June

Gaps

If you have any remaining gaps, annuals are fantastic fillers until your perennials and shrubs mature.

There are so many varieties to choose from depending on your garden style:

• Cosmos,
• Cornflower,
• Snapdragons,
• Zinnia,
• Sunflowers,
• Marigold,
• Pansies,
• Petunias,
• Geraniums…

Wild Flowers

If you have a large patch of earth to fill, sprinkle a ready made wild flower mix for maximum effect, minimal cost, and the butterflies and bees will thank you!

Weeding

Weeding continues…

Watering

• Pots will need daily watering as temperatures rise,
• Avoid watering plants in sunshine,
• Early morning or late evening is best.

Install a water butt with a tap to conserve rain water.

Feeding

Plants in pots will need a weekly feed for best results.

Remember to take time out to ENJOY your garden:

And watch the daisies!

Brigid P. Gallagher is a retired natural medicines therapist, passionate organic gardener and author of “Watching the Daisies- Life lessons on the Importance of Slow,” a holistic memoir dedicated to the art of mindfulness and healing from debilitating illness.