May brings a burst of life and colour to gardens across the United Kingdom as the warmth of summer begins to take hold. It's an opportune time for gardeners to sow seeds and plant new additions, setting the stage for a season of lush growth and vibrant blooms. In this concise planting guide for May, we explore the best choices for flowers, herbs, and vegetables to cultivate in the UK garden, ensuring a beautiful and bountiful summer ahead.

Flowers to Brighten Your Garden: May is a prime time to introduce a splash of colour and fragrance to your garden with a variety of flowering plants:

Roses: Choose from a range of rose cultivars to add elegance and romance to your garden, enjoying their timeless beauty and intoxicating scent throughout the summer.

Lavender: Plant lavender in sunny, well-drained spots to attract pollinators and infuse your garden with its aromatic foliage and delicate purple blooms.

Geraniums: These reliable perennials bloom profusely in May, adding vibrant hues to borders, beds, and hanging baskets with minimal maintenance.

Dahlias: Plant tubers now for a dazzling display of dahlias in various shapes, sizes, and colours, enhancing your garden with their bold and beautiful blooms.

Cosmos: Sow cosmos seeds directly into the soil for an abundance of charming annual blooms that attract butterflies and bees, adding whimsy to your garden landscape.

Herbs for Culinary Delights: Fresh herbs are essential for enhancing culinary creations, and May offers the perfect time to plant a variety of flavours:

Basil: Grow basil in pots or directly in the ground for a burst of flavour in salads, sauces, and pasta dishes, thriving in warm, sunny conditions.

Mint: Plant mint in containers to control its vigorous growth, enjoying its refreshing flavour in summer drinks, desserts, and savoury dishes.

Thyme: Add thyme to your garden for its hardy nature and versatile use in a wide range of dishes, providing delicate foliage and tiny flowers throughout the summer.

Parsley: Sow parsley seeds directly into the soil for a rich source of vitamins and antioxidants, harvesting leaves as needed for cooking and garnishing.

Vegetables for Fresh Flavors: Homegrown vegetables offer unparalleled freshness and flavour, making them a rewarding addition to any garden:

Tomatoes: Plant tomato seedlings or young plants in May for a taste of sun-ripened fruits throughout the summer, choosing from a variety of cultivars to suit your preferences.

Courgettes: Enjoy the abundance of courgettes by planting seeds or seedlings in well-drained soil, and harvesting young fruits regularly for the best flavour and texture.

Beans: Sow bean seeds directly into the ground or containers, providing support for climbing varieties and enjoying a plentiful harvest throughout the summer months.

Salad Greens: Plant a variety of lettuce, spinach, and other leafy greens in succession for a continuous harvest of fresh salads, ensuring a constant supply of tender, flavorful leaves throughout the summer.

May offers an exciting opportunity for gardeners to embrace the summer season by planting a diverse selection of flowers, herbs, and vegetables. By choosing the right plants for your garden and providing them with the care they need, you can create a vibrant and productive outdoor space that flourishes throughout the summer months.

 Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a novice enthusiast, May planting sets the stage for a season of growth, beauty, and culinary delights in the garden.