Spring Awakening: Prepping Your Plot
A Soil Love Affair
Before you plant a single seed, court your soil. English gardens thrive on well-drained, nutrient-rich earth. Add organic matter—compost, leaf mould, or well-rotted manure—to nourish your soil. It’s like serving a cup of tea to your plants—they’ll appreciate the warmth.
Planting Daydreams
Ah, the joy of sowing! In May, the earth awakens, and so do our seeds. Consider these May companions:
- Annuals: Sow hardy annuals like calendula, cornflowers, and love-in-a-mist directly into the soil. They’ll dance through summer.
- Perennials: Plant perennial favourites such as lupins, delphiniums, and geraniums. They’ll return year after year, like old friends.
The Art of Weeding: A Love-Hate Relationship
Weeds: The Uninvited Guests
May brings forth not only flowers but also cheeky weeds. Channel your inner detective—spot them early, before they multiply. Pull them out by their roots, like unravelling a mystery. Your garden beds will thank you.
Companion Planting: Matchmaking for Blooms
English gardens adore companionship. Pair fragrant roses with lavender, and watch them gossip in the afternoon sun. Marigolds ward off aphids, while chives whisper secrets to tomatoes. It’s a floral soirée, and everyone’s invited.
The Symphony of Watering
Morning Serenade
Picture dew-kissed petals and sleepy bees. Morning watering is a gentle waltz. Fill your watering can, tiptoe to each plant, and whisper encouragement. “Grow, my darlings,” you’ll say. And they will, stretching toward the sun.
Evening Lullaby
As dusk settles, it’s time for the evening lullaby. Water your pots and borders, humming a tune. The roses will nod in approval. And if the moon peeks through the clouds, well, that’s your secret.
From Plot to Plate
Tender Greens and Crisp Radishes
May gifts us with tender greens—spinach, lettuce, and arugula. Harvest them young, their leaves crisp and full of promise. Radishes, too, pop out of the soil like peppery gems. Slice them thin, sprinkle with sea salt, and savour the crunch.
Strawberries: Scarlet Jewels
The English strawberry season begins! Pluck ruby-red berries, still warm from the sun. Pair them with clotted cream or fold them into scones. It’s a taste of summer in every bite.
And there you have it, dear gardeners—the May symphony of blooms, bees, and whispered secrets. May your English garden flourish, and may your heart find solace among the petals.
Yours,
Lily Greenfield
