With the weather finally starting to warm up, May is ideal for spending more time nurturing your outside space. It’s National Children’s Gardening Week 25th May - 2nd June and there are many exciting indoor and outdoor activities planned to encourage children to get growing! Here are some jobs you can get your little ones to help with in your own gardens this month:

Sowing Seeds for Late Summer Flowers

Now is a great time to think about growing flowers to brighten up your outside space in late summer and early autumn, when lots of other plants are beginning to fade. Consider varieties such as China Aster, zinnia, amaranth, cosmos, and nasturtium, which are all very easy to grow with children and come in a wide range of colours to choose from. We’ve included China Aster ‘Matsumoto Mix’ in our May Gardening box, which is available to purchase here.

Hardening off

By the end of May, the risk of frost has passed here in the UK, allowing you to sow seed or plant your tender plants outside, but plants that have been raised indoors or in a greenhouse will need to acclimatise to outside conditions first. This process, known as hardening off, helps prevent shock and ensures the plants thrive in their new environment. Start by placing seedlings outdoors in a sheltered spot (away from direct sunlight and string winds) for a few hours each day, gradually increasing exposure to sun, wind and rain over the course of a week or two. By the end of May, your plants should be ready for their permanent home in the garden!

Thinning out root crops

As root crops such as beetroot, carrot, and parsnip continue to grow, it's important to thin them out to allow enough space for their root to grow properly. By thinning seedlings to the recommended spacing, there is less competition for water and nutrients, leading to healthier plants and better chance of a bountiful harvest for your family to enjoy!

Watch out for pests!

As the garden springs to life, so too do pests such as snails and slugs, eager to feast on tender young shoots and leaves. The best way to protect your plants is by going on regular slug and snail hunts, especially after rainfall or in the early morning when they're most active, and hand pick them from plants and surrounding areas. Other recommended organic methods of control are using copper tape, scattering crushed eggshells or sharp grit around the base of the plants, and encouraging natural predators of slugs and snails into your garden, such as birds and frogs. 

May harvests

Peonies, roses, late-flowering tulips, wallflowers and alliums are all looking beautiful this month, and if you’re lucky enough to have some to pick, why not cut and bring some indoors to enjoy there too? In the veg garden, spring cabbage, lettuce, spinach, radish, and spring onions are all ready to harvest now. Keep sowing quick-to-grow crops such as lettuce, spinach, rocket, and radishes for a continuous supply of tasty veg over the coming months! 

Author: Alison Kenehan, RHS-qualified gardener and mother

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