Greetings Gardeners,
How did you all get on in the garden during April? It was certainly a colder and wetter month than we’re used to in the UK, but fear not, May is here and with it comes plenty of opportunity to get back out there and make your garden bloom! It looks like some warm weather is set to arrive soon so there will be lots of opportunities to get things going.
The Garden Centre is starting to get very busy now and we have started to implement a few changes to improve your experience. We hope you will notice and like what we are trying to do. More on these another time.
New plants are arriving daily and our own nursery is filling up with some wonderful plants for your garden.
May is such a great time in the garden because the weather begins to warm up and the days get longer and you have more time to spend enjoying the fruits of your efforts.
With that in mind, we have put together our May checklist to help you make the most of your garden this month.
This year May is an especially busy month for gardeners, with three bank holiday weekends as well as the start of National Children’s Gardening Week (27th May until 4th June).
Here are some specific gardening tips for making the most of these occasions:
1. Bank Holiday Weekends:
Make the most of these long weekends by getting outside and tackling those bigger gardening tasks that you’ve been putting off. Maybe it’s revamping your garden furniture, building a raised bed or creating a new border. Whatever it is, take advantage of the extra time to make some real progress. We have some beautiful mini sleepers in stock that are the perfect size to build raised beds for you planting. At £21 each these are a great price to make a great impact.
2. Kings Coronation:
This is a great opportunity to celebrate the history and tradition of the UK by including some regal elements in your garden. Consider planting varieties of flowers or shrubs that were popular during the reign of King George VI or Queen Elizabeth II.
During the reign of King George VI, which began in 1936 and ended in 1952, some popular flowers and shrubs included:
Hybrid Tea Roses:
These roses were developed in the early 20th century and quickly became popular due to their large, fragrant blooms and long stems.
Azaleas:
These flowering shrubs are well-known for their bright, showy blooms in shades of pink, purple, red and white.
Lilacs:
These fragrant shrubs produce clusters of delicate, purple flowers in the spring.
Fuchsias:
These colourful flowers feature drooping, bell-shaped blooms in shades of red, pink and white.
During the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, some popular flowers and shrubs have included:
Pansies:
These cheerful flowers come in an array of colours and bloom in both the spring and fall.
Rhododendrons:
These evergreen shrubs produce large, showy flowers in shades of pink, purple, white and red.
Hydrangeas:
These perennial shrubs are known for their large, round flower clusters in shades of blue, pink, white and purple.
These plants were popular during the reign of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II, remain popular today among gardeners of all ages.
You could also incorporate a traditional sundial or create a garden feature that pays homage to the royal family.
3. National Children’s Gardening Week:
This is a fantastic initiative that encourages children to get outside and get their hands dirty. Why not involve your own children or grandchildren in your gardening activities during this week?
Help them to plant their own seeds or create a miniature garden that they can take ownership of. It’s a fun activity that will foster a love and appreciation for nature.
Treat them to a National Garden Gift Voucher and let them purchase something to help get them started.
We plan to have some activities during this week at Strawberry Garden Centre that will be announced via our socials.
Overall, May is a wonderful time to be in the garden, with plenty of opportunities to get creative and explore new projects.
What could be better than spending a day in the beautiful surroundings of our garden centre, surrounded by stunning blooms and foliage, and indulging in some delicious food and drink?
Our Tea Room is the perfect place to unwind after a morning of gardening or to take a break from exploring our extensive range of plants and outdoor living products. We are proud to offer a range of tasty treats, including indulgent afternoon teas, delicious cream teas and our special coronation royal shortbread biscuits – a nod to this month’s special occasion. Book online to avoid disappointment.
Whether you’re looking for a light snack or a full meal, our menu has something to suit all tastes and appetites. So why not take a break, refuel and relax? We can’t wait to welcome you!