Plot Your Course

It’s time to really crank things up in the garden and always keep a hoe to hand for those pesky weeds

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After the very cold weather we had earlier in the year, it’s now safe to say that spring is most definitely here. May is a lovely month in the garden – borders are bursting with colour and scent, and evenings stay lighter for longer. It’s also a busy month, with lots to be getting on with.

Firstly, any spring flowering shrubs whose blooms have faded need pruning now. With shrubs like broom, forsythia and ribes (flowering currant), you should cut back the flowered growth to strong, young shoots lower down. Cut out any dead or damaged stems and, depending on how congested the plant is, you can remove up to a third of the oldest flowering stems. This will rejuvenate the plant, creating a good display next year.