May

May is when gardens across the Cotswolds and Cheltenham truly come to life. With rolling hills greening up, wisteria blooming over honey-stone walls, and longer, warmer days, it’s a fantastic time to get outside and set your garden up for a beautiful summer.

Whether you’re working with a town garden in Cheltenham or a countryside plot nestled in one of the Cotswold villages, here are our expert tips to help you make the most of the season:

1. Plant Summer Favourites Now

With the last frosts usually behind us by early to mid-May here in Gloucestershire, it's safe to start planting bedding plants, summer vegetables, and tender perennials. Go for classics that thrive in local conditions—cosmos, salvia, verbena bonariensis, and lavender all do beautifully in the Cotswolds’ often free-draining soil.

Vegetables like runner beans, courgettes, tomatoes, and salad leaves will also take off now with regular feeding and watering.

Local tip: If you’re gardening on Cotswold brash or clay, dig in compost or soil improver to help with drainage and structure.

2. Mulch and Weed Smart

Weeds grow fast this time of year, especially after spring rain. Stay ahead by applying a good layer of organic mulch around perennials and veg beds. It locks in moisture and keeps your borders looking tidy.

Cotswold insight: Mulching helps particularly in dry, stony gardens — common on south-facing slopes in places like Winchcombe or Bourton-on-the-Water.

3. Water Wisely – Deep and Infrequent

Cheltenham and the Cotswolds can have unpredictable spring rain followed by dry spells. Water deeply once or twice a week rather than daily, and focus on the base of the plant. Soaker hoses or watering spikes are a great investment, especially for allotments or larger beds.

Pro tip: Early morning watering reduces evaporation and gives foliage time to dry out before evening dew, reducing the risk of mildew.

4. Feed Borders, Pots & Baskets

May is feeding season. Use a slow-release granular feed for your borders, especially for plants like roses, delphiniums, and peonies, which love the chalky, mineral-rich soils around the Cotswolds. For containers, start a fortnightly liquid feed — these dry out and deplete nutrients much faster.

👉 Local pick: Try a high-potash feed for flowering plants — ideal for colourful containers outside townhouses in Montpellier or Pittville.

5. Prune Spring Shrubs After Flowering

Once forsythia, flowering currants, and camellias are finished, give them a light prune to keep them compact and healthy. This encourages better blooms next spring and helps keep their shape in tighter garden spaces.

👉 Local favourite: Wisteria is at its peak in May—once it finishes flowering, give it a light tidy-up and tie in new shoots.

6. Check for Pests Early

Warmer weather brings more activity from aphids, slugs, vine weevils, and cabbage white butterflies. Inspect plants regularly, especially in sheltered or shaded spots, and act early with organic methods. Encourage natural predators like ladybirds, birds, and hedgehogs — all common allies in Cotswold gardens.

👉 Garden tip: Keep your borders diverse and layered. Natural pest control works best when your garden mimics a healthy ecosystem.

7. Train Climbers Before They Tangle

If you’ve planted clematis, honeysuckle, or climbing roses, now’s the time to train new growth onto trellises or supports. Left too long, they’ll tangle and stress the stems. Tie in gently and prune away any straggly shoots.

Cotswold charm: Arches and trellises draped in summer climbers are a classic look for courtyard gardens and cottage plots.

From Our Garden to Yours

At Lawson Garden Co., we know what it takes to grow a beautiful garden here in the heart of Gloucestershire. The Cotswolds and Cheltenham offer a mix of microclimates, soils, and styles—but with a little local knowledge and some May magic, your garden will thrive.

So pop on the kettle, take a stroll around your plot, and enjoy everything this stunning season has to offer.

Happy gardening,
— The Lawson Garden Company Team