David Domoney’s Newsletter May 2022

May: Colours of the rainbow

Hi,

With another (mostly) sunny bank holiday weekend out of the way, it gave us plenty of time to get lots of gardening tasks done with a few days to catch up.

Spring is in full swing, which means there are a whole host of flowering plants to enjoy, and it’s not only the sight of them, but the wonderful fragrances that come with them too. These are my top ten plants for May to put a spring in your step.

When it comes to planning planting schemes, it’s important to consider the type of soil you have and the access to water. If your garden doesn’t get much moisture, or you grow in containers that are hidden from the rain, these drought tolerant plants are a great place to start.

Throughout May there is plenty to look forward to again. On Wednesday 11th May I’ll be going live on Facebook with Yard Force to share my tips on seasonal lawn care and planting up hanging baskets.

This month also marks the return of Chelsea Flower Show in spring for the first time in 2 years, so get that Chelsea look with some of the past trends. As always there will be some spectacular displays to see.

Happy gardening!

David

Gardening tip of the month

When you’re gardening, there are certain tools that will come in handy throughout the year, so ensure you have these in your gardening toolkit…

A trowel is crucial for weeding, planting and all sorts, so is an important bit of kit. Also, kneeling on the ground can take its toll on your knees, so a comfortable kneeler can make all the difference.

Get a good stainless steel spade because they stop the dirt from sticking too much. Also, a fork will help you break up and loosen soil. Spray them with WD40 before digging to prevent the soil from sticking.

Get different pairs of gloves to suit the task at hand, such as waterproof ones, lightweight ones, and full arm coverage ones for pruning thorny shrubs. Hand protection in the garden is vital.

Secateurs are the crafters and shapers of the garden and will help keep your garden looking beautiful by using them to trim away dead, damaged and diseased growth off your prized plants.

Top plants

May is the month when blossom appears in abundance from all different flowers and trees, so this selection will make you think of the ‘darling buds of May’

Plants for purpose

These top drought tolerant plants will ensure you have a garden full of variety, with a mixture of flowers and foliage that won’t demand gallons of water to thrive.

Top job

If you live in a property with a patio, why not make planting pockets of floral delights in your paving to spruce up your outdoor seating area for socialising and relaxing?

Growing in raised beds

Raised beds are a fantastic feature in the garden, allowing you to grow a wider range of plants, boost drainage and make gardening more accessible.