May is Tulip planting month. And I think we all secretly harbour ambitions of growing our own little piece of Holland.

Remember that they need a good watering at least three times a week in order to flower to their full potential.

They are also a tad fussy. Don't plant them near a baking hot wall. The cooler and more civilised the spot, the happier they will be.

More May gardening tips:

  • You can transplant your perennials throughout the autumn and winter, as long as they remain dormant.

  • Start protecting plants from frost. Spread with mulch, bark chips, sawdust or fallen leaves, to create a blanket over the root system.

  • It is time to cut down on watering your Kikuyu lawn — twice a month is fine.

  • Continue watering cool season evergreen lawns regularly (like Shade Over and All Seasons Evergreen).

  • Sow or plant cool season lawns like Shade Over and All Seasons Evergreen.

  • Spread aphicide granules around the base of conifers to prevent winter attack from the cypress aphid, continue throughout the colder months.

What to plant?

Seeds:
Sow alyssum, antirrhinum, Californian poppy, campanula, candytuft, delphinium, larkspur, linaria, lobelia, myosotis, Namaqualand daisy, nemesia and schizanthus. There is still time to plant sweet pea seeds.

Gardening guide

This article appears courtesy of the GardenShop.

Seedlings:
Plant antirrhinum, Bellis perennis, cineraria, cornflowers, dianthus, foxglove, gazania, gypsophila, larkspur, lobelia, lupin, pansy, penstemom, petunia, poppies, primulas, primula obconia, sweet peas and viola.

  • Plant tulip and lilium bulbs.

  • If you haven't lifted your dahlia bulbs now is the time to do this.

  • Continue fertilising your winter flowering annuals with Multifeed Flowergro.

  • Citrus trees will benefit from a feeding with 8:1:5 or Rose Food.

  • Stop feeding your roses.