5 Gardening Ideas for May Day

Why five gardening ideas for May Day? Why not seven or ten? There’s a simple reason – May is the fifth month of the year!

But there’s another reason too, and that’s related to the national gardening events that are happening at this time of year. We’ve just finished National Gardening Week and are looking forward to National Gardening Day. Whilst International Compost Awareness Week is neatly layered in between to remind us of the importance of soil and compost to our plants.

Gardening Ideas for May Day #1

Washing your face in the dew in the May Day dawn is traditional to improve your complexion. Whilst I’m not suggesting you do that, I am recommending that you go out into your garden as early as you can and have a slow, contemplative walk around.

You may like to wander around a couple of times, firstly just drinking in the soft morning light along with that first cuppa. Then secondly, with camera and notebook to take photos of plants and elements that have caught your eye.

The notebook is there so you can jot down 3 things that you like best about your garden at this time of day.

This slow contemplative meander can set you up for the daytime chaos of family life. Breathe in the colours and scent. If needs be crouch down and have a sniff at flowers – did you know that forget-me-nots have alight fragrance? You need a few plants and to get close – or have a mass of them to line your path to the birdfeeder. Their blue flowers positively shine in the early morning.
If you ‘re not used to seeing your garden in the early morning, you’ll find a whole new perspective. And perhaps a feeling of sanctuary…

Idea #2 – creating a sanctuary

Which leads me on to creating sanctuary in your garden to enjoy at other times of the day.

It may be possible to turn your whole garden into a secret garden, a hortus conclusus, an enclosed space. But even in a small family garden there is usually a spot which could be a private place.
For example, an arbour surrounded by scented climbing plants sounds romantic and desirable. And it is fairly easy to accomplish. Try this for a really quick version that you can do in a day or less. I’m presuming that you already have a spot in mind for this and also have a small bench.

Buy 3 rectangular planters, one should be wider than the bench.
Fill with enriched soil / potting compost
Add metal trellis panels at the back of each, the sort with spikes that go into the soil
Buy 3 jasmine plants, and plant
There should be room for you to plant 3 Dianthus in front of each jasmine for more fragrance

And I know I said I wasn’t giving you gardening tasks, but this one is as much one of our gardening ideas for May Day to start you thinking of possibilities as an actual project.

Gardening Ideas for May Day #3

May is a wonderful time in the garden, full of promise but also full of spring flowering shrubs and herbaceous plants.

For shrubs think Philadelphus (mock orange), Viburnum plicata, Ceanothus. And Choisya (Mexican orange blossom) has more to offer than the one you commonly see in gardens. I rather like those with more delicate foliage, such as Choisya Aztec pearl – and they still have fragrant flowers and are remarkably easy maintenance evergreens.

Herbaceous perennials include ornamental grasses, and Stipa tenuissima, sometimes called pony tail grass, makes a soft, swishy backdrop to deep purple, red and pink tulips. In fact, planting small groups of bulbs in between the grasses gives you tantalising glimpses of the flowers and also hides the foliage after flowering.

Idea #4 – Garden Visits

More gardening ideas for May Day can be discovered by visiting other people’s gardens. In particular gardens that are open locally to you as part of the Yellow Book Scheme or other charitable opening. The beauty of local gardens is that you’ll know the plants growing there are likely to do well in your own garden.
And as a linked thought, don’t be shy at ogling your neighbours’ front gardens when you’re out for a walk. Yup, that’s me, stopping to admire bearded iris, beautiful blowsy paeonies and lavender hedges, and, if I happen to see the owner, expressing my delight at their beautiful front garden.

Garden Designer’s Tip

Take a compass with you to check the aspect of that border filled with gorgeous shrubs and perennials. Some plants like shade and some prefer sun, and its much easier to check when you’re in a garden than after you’ve returned home!

Gardening Ideas for May Day #5

Enjoy your garden! What would give you pleasure? For example –

Having a few cut and come again lettuces to snip at for lunch?
Growing a lemon tree for the scented flowers and picking a lemon for your gin and tonic?
A special seat in a sunny spot just for you to relax in? See the idea above
Two trees with a hammock hung between them? You may not have 2 large enough trees but a hammock in a frame may be possible

Make the most of the longer days in May and remember that while some gardeners need to be busy as they have a high maintenance garden, you can be a gardener with an easy maintenance garden too.

How else can we inspire you with your gardening ideas for May Day?

Well, as we seem to like the number five for this gardening blog, let’s list five ways Plews could help and inspire your gardening –

1. For further gardening advice and inspiration, check out Plews Potting Shed blogs, including the selection below. The blog has been going for nearly 10 years, so there are plenty of gardening topics to ‘scratch your gardening itch’

2. Find and follow us on your preferred social media – Instagram Facebook Pinterest

3. Maybe you would like a real life, on-site or a virtual garden design visit to inspire you further and give you practical ways of making your garden more like your dream garden? Do get in touch. Plews is able to offer you Garden Design and Planting Designs – and if you would like an edible garden, herb garden, garden orchard or cut flower garden; or perhaps to find a way to include your pets and wildlife happily into mix, you’ve just asked about our favourite types of garden and we would love to get involved!

4. Or perhaps you would prefer gardening lessons in your own garden? Because where better to learn about what’s relevant to you as a gardener? Plews Gardening Courses and Lessons are bespoke to you and your garden and combine hands on confidence giving with necessary ‘why we do this’ reasons.

5. And lastly did you know there’s a monthly Plews News with topical gardening tasks and ideas? Get yours here