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May is the month that completes the transition from the balmy days of autumn to the cold of winter. Many plants relish this change of season.
Tasks for this month:
Vegetable and Herb Garden
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Plant seedlings of broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, silverbeet, spinach and spring onions. |
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Sow seeds: broad beans, spinach, winter lettuce, onions, radish, peas, turnips, swede and parsley. |
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In containers sow broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower for planting out later. |
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Plant seed potatoes in warmer climates. |
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Plant garlic and shallot bulbs. |
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Dig up celery and leeks. |
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Spray cabbages, cauliflower and celery with Super Copper to prevent fungus diseases. |
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Plant strawberries. |
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Harvest feijoas, guavas, kiwifruit and tamarillos as they ripen. |
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Thin carrots and other autumn sown crops. |
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Cut back asparagus to within 15cm of ground level after the stems turn yellow. |
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Sow green crops of lupin and mustard in any vacant areas of the vegetable garden for digging into the soil in spring. |
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Thyme, chives, rosemary and bay can all be planted during May. In cold areas, you will need to keep these herbs in a protected spot. |
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Fruit Trees
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Start planting deciduous fruit and citrus trees. |
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Mulch vegetables and fruit trees with compost. |
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Feed citrus with Citrus Fertiliser. |
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Fruit tree pruning should start as soon as leaves have dropped. |
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Flower Garden
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Sow seeds of alyssum, calendula, cineraria, cornflower, forget me not, lobelia, lupin, nemesia, statice, stock, sweetpea and virginian stock. |
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Plant seedlings of calendula, cineraria, nemesia, pansies, polyanthus, poppies, primula, scabiosa, snapdragon, stock, viola and wallflower. |
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Last chance to plant spring bulbs. Plant lily bulbs. |
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Protect seedlings from slugs and snails with Quash or Slug Slam |
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Trim back autumn flowering perennials. |
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Spray trees and shrubs with Conqueror oil to control scale, aphids and mites which are on the plant over winter. |
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Collect autumn leaves for composting. |
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Mulch trees, shrubs and perennials with compost. |
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Plant pots with pansies, polyanthus and primula for winter colour - and bulbs for spring. |
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Lift dahlia tubers and gladioli corms and store in a dry place. |
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Plan new roses to plant this winter and prepare the soil adding plenty of compost. |
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Bring frost tender patio plants into a sheltered position. |
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Slow down watering of houseplants and move them away from cold draft positions. |
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May is moving month. Many of the smaller shrubs (such as azaleas, hebes and gardenias) can be transplanted this month. Prepare the soil well in the new spot and water well afterwards. |
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Lawns
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Feed lawns to boost growth and suppress weed growth. Bare areas of lawn can be raked over and reseeded. |
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