What to do in the garden for May

As the days grow shorter and cooler, May is your garden’s gentle reminder that winter is on its way. Whether you’re in the Cape or Gauteng, now’s a great time to settle into some hands-on garden care.

Think of it as getting your outdoor space ready for a restful, beautiful season ahead.

Plant with the months ahead in mind

This is the moment to pop some colour and productivity into your garden. Choose hardy shrubs, cheerful winter flowers, and cool-weather crops.

Add winter charm with violas, pansies, primulas, sweet peas, and foxgloves.

Start your veggie patch by planting spinach, peas, cabbage, broccoli, beetroot, broad beans, carrots and leeks.

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Pop in bulbs like daffodils, hyacinths, freesias, and tulips for spring blooms.

Don’t forget the birds and bees – plants like aloes, pincushions, salvia, and Strelitzias will attract pollinators and add life to the garden.

Tip: When planting tulip or hyacinth bulbs, place them in cool soil about 8–10cm deep, and water well.

Feed and nourish

With less growth happening above the ground, May is all about building strong roots below.

Give your lawn one last feed before winter using a balanced fertiliser like 3:1:5.

Sprinkle a general-purpose plant food around established shrubs and trees to boost their immune system for winter.

Feed bulbs regularly with bulb food to support flowering.

Water indoor plants only when the soil feels dry and top them up with a liquid fertiliser every second week.

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Time to prune and tidy

Cool weather pruning helps shape your garden and gets rid of any summer stragglers.
Lightly trim back summer-flowering shrubs like lavender, plumbago, and hydrangeas.
Prune citrus and evergreen fruit trees to allow more sunlight and air into the canopy.
Tidy up climbers like wisteria and golden shower trees.
Gently shape hedges and conifers to keep them neat over winter.

Tip: Always prune on a dry day using clean, sharp tools to prevent disease spread.

Stay one step ahead of pests

Cooler temperatures don’t always mean fewer bugs. Keep a lookout for common garden troublemakers.
Use organic snail repellents like crushed eggshells or coffee grounds around young plants.
Spray roses and geraniums with copper soap to prevent fungal infections.
Treat aphid-prone conifers with a systemic or neem-based solution.

Prepare for Winter’s bite

May often brings the first frosts in inland areas – don’t get caught off guard.
Move potted plants to sheltered spots.
Cover sensitive plants with frost cloth or garden fleece.
Add mulch around plant bases to keep roots warm and moist.

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A gift that grows – Mother’s Day idea

Celebrate Mom this May with something green and thoughtful:
A potted indoor beauty like a satin pothos or peace lily
A charming desktop terrarium
Or a gift card from her favourite garden centre so she can pick what she loves

Garden tip of the month:

The work you do now sets the tone for the season to come. A little effort in May goes a long way in keeping your garden thriving through Winter and blooming into Spring.

ALSO SEE: Everything you need to know about container gardening in Autumn