If this fine weather continues this month is the time that vegetable and flower plants can be planted outdoors into their final growing positions. It is also good to be able to start taking care of lawns to get that appearance we love so much!

Hanging Baskets/Patio Containers
As long as your patio is sheltered or under cover, hanging baskets/containers can be planted up with fuchsias and tender perennials, why not incorporate a slow release fertiliser and water storing crystals to reduce feeding and help water retention at the same time. Keep containers from drying out by extra watering on warm, breezy days.

Flowers
Provided the risk of late frosts have passed, tender summer bedding plants can be planted outdoors towards the end of the month, but if weather conditions are wet and cold delay planting until early next month. Don't forget to support with frames taller perennials which may tend to fall over. The sowing of hardy annual flowers should now be completed; however, later sowings will result in the plants flowering later. You may find it worthwhile with some plants, such as fuchsias, to remove the very tip of a shoot which will then encourage them to branch out. Nasturtium seed couldn't be easier to sow, just push it into damp compost. It is always a good idea to regularly check your plants making sure they receive sufficient water and do not dry out. It is also a good idea to commence weekly liquid feeds which will prove beneficial, and to re-pot any plants that show signs of becoming root-bound. As pansy flowers wither remember to dead-head them to encourage further flowering.

Fruit
Keep well watered in dry spells to ensure good setting and fruit development. For more growth on grape vines, pinch out the tips of shoots that are two leaves beyond a developing fruit truss. To keep fruit clean and discourage mould lay straw between strawberry plants.

Vegetables
Beetroot and spinach can be thinned out at this time. Earth up potatoes by using a hoe to pull up the soil when they are approximately 23cm (9") high. For extra support use a hoe to place soil up around the base of the stems of broad beans.

If weather conditions allow, runner and french beans raised under glass can be planted out towards the end of the month. Seeds could also be sown outdoors at this time under cloches. However, for an early crop sow two seeds per deep pot in the greenhouse or on a windowsill, thinning out to leave the strongest seedling for planting outside in late May or June.

Marrow, courgette and sweet corn should be sown in the greenhouse and also outdoors at the end of the month, into early June. Other vegetables which may be sown either outside or under cloches during early May including broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, peas, lettuce, radish, spinach and swede. Baby vegetables (in our Speedy Seeds section) are becoming very popular especially where space is limited. Many can be grown in containers and growbags on the patio as well as in the vegetable garden. However, should soil conditions be cold and wet delay sowing.

Lawns
Provided the weather is mild and the grass is growing, applications of lawn fertilisers and weed killers can be made to established lawns. Depending on growth, regular mowings with the blades set at maximum height may be necessary, remembering to remove any dead foliage beforehand.

General
Should weather conditions still seem uncertain, take precautions to guard against frost especially at night by placing Envirofleece over emerging crops such as potatoes, covering cold frames with either polythene or sacking, and protecting young plants in the greenhouse by covering with newspaper. Hoe borders once a week to prevent weed seedling becoming established. Any plants being delivered this month must be opened immediately, if not the leaves will go yellow with rot setting in. Remember, if you are going to be away make arrangements for them to be delivered to a friend so that they can still be opened up.  

Many plants are susceptible to attack by aphids and measures should be taken to bring this common pest under control. Vine weevil can sometimes cause quite a problem so it may be an idea to use a biological nematode - simply mix into a solution and water plants when larvae are active (soil temperature should approximately be above 5ºC/40ºF). To keep control of  slugs and snails, trap them under tiles or even grapefruit skins remembering to collect them up and disposing of them. Use pellets only sparingly. There are also non-chemical traps available such as Slug Umbrellas.

Ponds
Water lilies and other pond plants can be planted up in new aquatic baskets and compost, do not use ordinary compost as it encourages algae and is too rich. Every few years plants that have become overcrowded should be lifted and divided, trimming any stray roots. If you have a new pond let it settle for at least six weeks before adding fish. When water reaches 10ºC (50ºF) start to feed fish but remove any uneaten food after about 10 minutes.