May has a soft kind of energy in the garden.  

The heat has eased, the soil is still workable, and everything feels like it’s quietly preparing for winter. Think of it as your garden’s “in-between” month – not quite slowing down, not quite hibernating either. 

It’s the perfect time to tidy, plant, feed and gently set the scene for a greener spring ahead. 

Western Cape: cool air, wet soil, good timing

While we’re all still hoping for those generous winter rains, now’s your chance to get ahead of the weather. A little effort in May pays off big-time later. 

Plant and sow (the satisfying part)

Go for plants that don’t mind a bit of chill and wind: 

Drought-tolerant heroes like proteas, leucadendrons, spekboom, rosemary, plumbago, geraniums, bougainvillea and wild iris  

Seasonal colour from pansies, violas, calendulas, poppies, dianthus and salvias  

Spring bulbs like freesias, ixia, ranunculus, narcissus and sparaxis (future-you will be very pleased)  

Winter veg staples: carrots, spinach, peas, garlic, leeks, cabbage, beetroot and onions  

Little tip worth remembering: sweet peas love structure. Give them a trellis, a gentle trim of wandering shoots, and a mulch blanket to keep roots cosy.  

Feed and nourish

Everything is a bit hungry before winter sets in: 

  • Azaleas and camellias enjoy a boost of 3:1:5 fertiliser  
  • Lawns appreciate a feed before rain (nature does the watering for you)  
  • Bulbs need bulb food to power up those future blooms  
  • Indoor plants still like a fortnightly liquid feed, but don’t overdo it  

Pot plants outside? Ease off the feeding and let them slow down naturally. 

Prune and tidy

Nothing drastic – just a gentle shape-up: 

  • Light pruning for citrus and evergreen fruit trees  
  • Neaten hydrangeas, lavender, plumbago and wild dagga  
  • Trim conifers carefully (they like subtle, not severe)  
  • Climbers like wisteria and clematis appreciate a seasonal haircut  

Think of it as giving your garden a haircut, not a makeover. 

Pest watch (the uninvited guests) 

Keep things under control before winter dampness invites trouble: 

  • Aphids on conifers can be treated with organic or chemical sprays  
  • Roses and pelargoniums benefit from rust and mildew protection  
  • Snails? Eggs shells, coffee grounds or organic bait all help keep them in check 

Pexels

Gauteng: Crisp mornings and winter prep mode

Gauteng gardens shift gears quickly in May. Frost is on its way, so this is prep season – part protection, part planning. 

Plant and sow for winter colour and spring payoff 

  • Bright winter blooms: pansies, violas, Iceland poppies, foxgloves, primulas and cyclamen  
  • Bulbs like tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and snowdrops  
  • Veg patch essentials: spinach, kale, broccoli, lettuce, peas and beetroot  
  • Structural beauty: agapanthus, wild iris and ornamental grasses  

Tulips, especially, like personal space – give them room (about 10-15cm apart) and plant them deep enough to settle in properly. 

Prune and prepare 

  • Light shaping for conifers  
  • Trim evergreen fruit trees to encourage healthy regrowth  
  • Clear under hedges where pests like to hide (they’re very into clutter)  

If thorny shrubs are on your list, gloves that go up to the elbows are not optional – they’re survival gear. 

Feed and strengthen

  • Use a nitrogen-rich fertiliser for steady winter growth  
  • Feed lawns before rain for best absorption  
  • Indoor winter bloomers like cyclamen and cinerarias still need a bi-weekly liquid feed 

Frost-proofing (the May essential)

Frost usually arrives mid to late May, so get ahead of it: 

  • Move pots closer to shelter or walls  
  • Add a thick mulch layer around roots  
  • Use frost cloths on vulnerable plants  

It’s less about panic, more about gentle protection. 

A small may moment (not on the to-do list, but nice anyway)

If you’re thinking of Mother’s Day this month, this is your reminder that plants make very good gifts. A leafy terrarium, a trailing indoor plant, or even a garden gift card lets her choose something she’ll actually love – and keep alive. 

May isn’t about big, dramatic garden transformations. It’s about quiet prep, soft planting, and setting things up so spring feels effortless later on. 

A little now, a lot later – the garden’s favourite kind of maths. 

ALSO SEE: COLOURS THAT DOMINATE YOUR GARDEN IN AUTUMN

Colours that dominate your garden in autumn