Things to Do in the Garden in May
- 5 days ago
- 7 min read
Plant Summer Flowers: May is the perfect time to plant summer-flowering bulbs like dahlias, gladioli, and lilies to ensure a vibrant display in the coming months.
Sow Vegetables: This is the ideal time to direct sow a variety of vegetables such as carrots, lettuce, radishes, and beans. These fast-growing crops will be ready to harvest in a few weeks.
Prune Spring-Flowering Shrubs: Once shrubs like forsythia and lilac have finished blooming, prune them to maintain their shape and promote healthy growth.
Weed Control: Keep an eye on weeds and remove them regularly to prevent them from taking over your garden beds and competing with your plants for nutrients.
Support Climbing Plants: Install trellises, canes, or other supports for climbing plants like sweet peas, clematis, and runner beans to help them grow upwards and thrive.
Watering: As the weather warms up, ensure your plants receive adequate water, especially newly planted seedlings and containers. Water early in the morning or late in the evening to minimize evaporation.
Divide Perennials: May is a great time to divide overcrowded perennials like hostas and daylilies, giving them more space to grow and flourish.
Attract Wildlife: Create a welcoming habitat for beneficial wildlife by setting up bird feeders, insect hotels, and planting nectar-rich flowers to support pollinators.
The Health Benefits of Elderflower
Nature's Healing Blossom
Elderflowers, the delicate white blossoms of the elderberry plant, have been cherished for centuries for their medicinal properties and delightful fragrance. You can see these flowers blooming now into early summer and are harvested for a variety of uses, from culinary delights to traditional remedies.
Rich in Antioxidants
Elderflowers are packed with antioxidants, which are essential for protecting the body against oxidative stress and free radicals. These harmful molecules can damage cells and contribute to the development of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. The antioxidants found in elderflowers, including flavonoids and phenolic acids, help neutralize free radicals and promote overall health.
Immune System Support
One of the most well-known benefits of elderflower is its ability to support the immune system. Elderflower has antiviral and antibacterial properties, making it an effective natural remedy for colds, flu, and other respiratory infections. It can help reduce the severity and duration of symptoms, such as fever, congestion, and cough. Drinking elderflower tea or syrup at the onset of illness can boost the immune response and aid in a quicker recovery.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Elderflower has powerful anti-inflammatory properties that can help alleviate pain and swelling associated with various conditions. It is particularly beneficial for people suffering from arthritis, gout, and other inflammatory diseases. The compounds in elderflower inhibit the production of inflammatory markers in the body, providing relief from discomfort and promoting joint health.
Respiratory Health
Elderflower is a natural expectorant, meaning it helps clear mucus from the respiratory tract. This makes it an excellent remedy for treating respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, sinusitis, and asthma. The soothing properties of elderflower can reduce irritation and inflammation in the airways, making it easier to breathe.
Digestive Aid
Elderflower has been traditionally used to support digestive health. It can help alleviate bloating, gas, and indigestion by promoting the production of digestive enzymes and improving gut motility. Elderflower also has mild laxative properties, which can help relieve constipation and promote regular bowel movements.
Skin Health
The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of elderflower make it beneficial for skin health. Elderflower can help soothe irritated skin, reduce redness, and promote a clear complexion. It is often used in skincare products for its ability to tone and tighten the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Elderflower can also be used to treat skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis by applying elderflower-infused water or oil to the affected areas.
Detoxification
Elderflower is a natural diuretic, which means it helps increase urine production and promote the elimination of toxins from the body. This detoxifying effect can support kidney and liver function, helping to cleanse the body and maintain optimal health.
Allergy Relief
Elderflower has antihistamine properties that can help reduce allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and runny nose. It can be particularly beneficial for people suffering from seasonal allergies or hay fever.
How to Use Elderflower
There are various ways to incorporate elderflower into your wellness routine. Here are some popular methods:
Elderflower Tea
Elderflower tea is a simple and effective way to enjoy the health benefits of this blossom. To make elderflower tea, steep dried elderflowers in boiling water for 10-15 minutes. Strain and enjoy the tea hot or cold. You can add honey or lemon for additional flavor and health benefits.
Elderflower Syrup
Elderflower syrup is a versatile ingredient that can be used in beverages, desserts, and culinary dishes. To make elderflower syrup, simmer fresh elderflowers with water, sugar, and lemon juice until the mixture thickens. Strain the syrup and store it in a glass bottle. Add a spoonful of elderflower syrup to sparkling water, cocktails, or drizzle over pancakes and yogurt.
Elderflower Infused Oil
Elderflower-infused oil can be used topically to soothe and nourish the skin. To make elderflower oil, place dried elderflowers in a jar and cover them with a carrier oil such as olive oil or almond oil. Seal the jar and let it sit in a sunny spot for 4-6 weeks, shaking it occasionally. Strain the oil and use it as a moisturizer or massage oil.
Elderflower Tincture
Elderflower tincture is a concentrated liquid extract that can be taken internally for various health benefits. To make elderflower tincture, fill a jar with dried elderflowers and cover them with high-proof alcohol such as vodka. Seal the jar and let it sit for 4-6 weeks, shaking it occasionally. Strain the tincture and store it in a dark glass bottle. Take a few drops of elderflower tincture daily, diluted in water or juice.
Recipe of the Month
May is here with a variety of seasonal fruit & vegetables in abundance, including asparagus, broad beans, baby beetroot, broccoli, Jersey Royal potatoes, lettuce, peas, radishes, rocket, spinach, spring greens, spring onions, herbs galore, rhubarb and gooseberries. You can also find early-season artichokes, cucumbers and tomatoes.
Asparagus is a classic May vegetable, known for its tender spears. It’s a truly versatile vegetable, with plenty of star of the show and simple side recipes to choose from. A few highlights include -
Steamed asparagus, drizzled with olive oil, lemon juice, grated parmesan cheese served with a poached egg for the perfect brunch… or parma ham wrapped asparagus spears as an easy canape…or how about the perfect side dish deliciously coated with this easy soy sauce dressing –
500g steamed asparagus, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic minced
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 tablespoon soy sauce
Salt to taste (optional)
Simply mix altogether & enjoy!
Cheesy Asparagus Tart
This is a deliciously easy tart to impress your friends and family…
340g Asparagus tips tough ends trimmed
2 tsp olive oil
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
50g Gruyere cheese grated
1 medium egg beaten with a teaspoon of water for an egg wash
Cream Cheese Filling
113 g cream cheese
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 Sheet Puff Pastry thawed if frozen
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F/205°C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
2. Drizzle olive oil over the asparagus, and season with salt and pepper.
3. Combine the cream cheese with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
4. Unfold the thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and roll into a 10 inch x 14-inch rectangle. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet, then using a sharp knife score the edges leaving a 1-inch border. Then using a fork, prick the puff pastry sheet.
5. Spread the cream cheese filling over the puff pastry sheet inside the border, then sprinkle with gruyere cheese.
6. Top the cheese neatly with the asparagus spears. Brush the border/edges with egg wash.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the puff pastry is puffed and lightly browned.
8. Remove from the oven, cut into 6-8 squares, and serve warm or at room temperature.
May Bee News
As bee season continues with gusto and we’re approaching the end of spring and beginning of summer, you’ll start to see some different bees on the wing. A lot of bumblebee nests will be more established now and will be producing smaller worker bees. The first brood that hatches are all female workers. Some will help to tend the nest while others go out and forage. Along with well developing nests you will start to see cuckoo bumblebees out and about. They don’t need to come out of hibernation quite as early as other bees and so you will start to see them around this time of year.
A particularly common cuckoo bee locally is the Vestal cuckoo bee, Bombus vestalis, sometimes called the Southern cuckoo bee. She looks quite similar to the common Buff-tail bumblebee but has a few differences. The main one to note is the lack of pollen baskets on her legs - as with all cuckoo bees she doesn’t need to collect pollen for her young as she takes over a host nest. A tougher exoskeleton helps protect her as she attempts to fight the host queen to the death to take control of the nest. Similar in appearance to the Buff-tail and White-tail bumblebees, she has a white tip to her tail with a pale band of yellow above the white. I often think these tails also look slightly pointier and almost slightly striped in comparison.
There are 6 species of cuckoo bumblebees in the UK, each with different hosts. Although their behaviour can seem a little brutal to some, cuckoo bees are a good sign of a healthy population of these hosts. On the flip side, declining numbers of host bees (due to varying factors including changes to climate and loss of habitat) will also sadly lead to decreasing numbers of their cuckoos.
Now is a good time of year to be planting wildflower seeds, pollinator friendly annuals and biennials (check your bedding plants are pollinator friendly!), leaving wilder bits of your garden for undisturbed nests - including bare soil for mining bees, leaving dandelions and clover to grow in your lawn, and of course not using weed killers and pesticides. If you’re a bit more enthusiastic you could create a bee bank (give it a google) which a friend has told me they are doing at RHS Wisley to provide nesting areas for solitary bees.
And there are so many bee friendly gardening opportunities locally! Including community gardening at Desborough park, a bird, bug and bee walk at Waltham Place Farm and creating a bee friendly planter with Green Skills Library.
For more details about any of these do drop me (Michelle) an email at: hello@greenskillslibrary.com
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