What's happened to the spring? Snow and hail have welcomed in May this year! I'd just planted out my lettuce and Pak choi, which I'd started off in the greenhouse, when the snow fell. Finger-crossed they seem to have survived so far. I can't wait till I can stop buying salad from the shops and start eating my own. My french beans have taken a month to germinate this year - they clearly don't appreciate the temperature at the moment. However, the local wildflowers are braving the weather - above is the delicate Wood Anemone that thrives in shady, dry spots.
May is a great month to sow seeds for annual flowers - my Top Tips this month focus on flowers that provide pollen and nectar for Bees. Once the snow clears you can sow Hardy Annuals outside, but you can sow them inside along with Half-Hardy or tender Annuals if you want to give them a head start. Sowing flowers for Bees will make your garden full of colour as well as full of the hum of bees on sunny days.
Guided Wildflower Walks
This month I've organised guided wildflower walks around Turton, just north of Bolton, and Whalley in the Ribble Valley. This is the perfect time of year to see our native wildflowers in their full glory. These morning walks last about two and a half hours and go through a variety of wildflower habitats including woodland, meadows and riverbanks where I can show you the plants in flower and give their names and tips on how to identify them. Places on the walks are limited to 10, so please book in advance to ensure your place. See here for booking details and more information. Nursery and Garden Visits
If you're looking for summer container plants and want to find find something a little unusual try a trip out to Gordon Riggs in Todmorden. It's a huge garden centre with a great range of plants, seeds and gardening accessories. Across the road is a lovely cafe and the centre of Todmorden is only 5 minutes drive away, where there is a market and even more cafes!
Looking for gardens to visit this month? Try the National Garden Scheme website, which lists private gardens that are open for charity. These are a great source of inspiration for what can be done in a small garden, and often have good quality plants for sale too.
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