At last things have started to shoot away after a slow cold spring. May is a month when there is always plenty to do around the garden.

HANGING BASKETS

Hanging baskets can greatly enhance the look of any property if they are well grown and looked after. Always determine whether the basket is in the sun or shade as this will determine what plants should be planted in it. There are many plants for full sun but only a few that will tolerate the shade. The best for a shaded location are Nasturtium and busy lizzie’’.

First line the basket with some moisture-retaining material. this keeps the plants roots moist at all times but should also allow excess water to drain away. place the basket on top of a large pot or bucket so that it remains firm whilst you are working on it.

The mixture that is used to fill the basket should be rich in fertiliser as the roots only have a limited space to grow. Levington’s multipurpose compost is an ideal choice because it has the correct nutrients and contains a wetting agent to help keep the compost moist.

Hanging baskets must be watered at least once a day as they dry out very quickly. Never be tempted to miss watering your basket thinking that the rain will have watered it as this is rarely sufficient.

When planting, position a large fuschia in the centre then surround it with smaller, spreading plants such as diascias. The edge of the basket and underside can be planted with trailing plants such as nasturtiums and/or lobelia.

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Sink an empty two inch pot into the top layer of compost. this can be used to apply water to prevent it running down the sides. once the basket is planted cover the top of the compost with moss as this will act as a mulch and prevent it from drying out in the sun.

WATER LILLIES

May is also the ideal month for planting water lilies and other aquatic plants. These can be planted directly into the soil, spread on the bottom of a pond to a depth of at least 15 centimetres, or they can be planted in baskets and placed on the pond floor. If you choose the first method, empty the pool first, place the soil in position and plant the roots as if you were dealing with herbaceous perennials.

Run a little water into the pond only a few centimetres at first. add more as the plants grow, the idea being to keep the leaves of the water lilies just floating on the surface. If the plants are placed in baskets these may be stood on bricks and gradually lowered as the plants grows. When growth is well established all the bricks should be removed why not give waterlilies a go!