May Gardening Guide: Garden Watering, Irrigation Tips & What to Plant Now

May is here - finally! It’s a month full of energy, from bursting buds and blooming May trees to the return of longer evenings in the garden. For us at Easy Garden Irrigation, it’s also one of our busiest times of year. The warmer weather gets everyone thinking more seriously about how they water their gardens – whether it’s the increasing effort to keep things alive, the worry about sustainability, or the all-too-common May holiday dilemma: what happens to your plants when you’re away?

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential gardening jobs for May with a special focus on watering wisely, sowing success, and making the most out of your irrigation system. Whether you’re a new gardener or a pro, these tips will help you get the best out of your space this month.

Get organised this May with our Gardening Monthly Checklist Template! Our customisable template is designed to suit your garden's unique needs, helping you plan confidently, stay on top of your tasks, and enjoy everything this vibrant month offers.

Water Wisely in Warmer Weather

Let's begin with what we know best – watering. May can feel deceptively lush and mild, but the soil dries out quickly, especially with longer daylight hours. Watering at the right time, in the right way, saves effort, money, and most importantly, water.

• Water early in the morning to reduce as much evaporation as possible. If mornings do not work for you, aim for late evening.
• Focus on the roots. This is where your plants absorb moisture – avoid dousing the leaves as this can prevent mould or other diseases.
• Mulch! Adding compost or bark mulch helps retain soil moisture by reducing evaporation and helps restrain weeds.
• Newly planted beds, containers, or anything in a greenhouse will need your attention the most. Established shrubs and lawns generally don't.

This is where a drip irrigation system shines. Unlike overhead watering, drip systems deliver water slowly and directly to the root zone, reducing waste and ensuring plants get exactly what they need.

A reliable timer, like the Claber Aquadue Duplo Water Timer, automates this process beautifully, giving you peace of mind, especially if you’re away for a few days. Using a timer also helps reduce overwatering (one of the most common beginner mistakes), while giving your plants consistent moisture – a win-win for both you and your garden.

Sow Sweetcorn now for a tasty summer

It’s not too late to sow seeds—but May is your last chance to get ahead.
Sweetcorn loves the heat, so give it the best start by sowing seeds about 2.5cm deep in deep pots filled with peat-free compost. Keep them somewhere warm, like a greenhouse, polytunnel, or on a sunny windowsill with a heated propagator.

Once the seedlings are sturdy and all risk of frost has passed, plant them out in blocks rather than rows. Sweetcorn is wind-pollinated, and planting in blocks helps boost pollination for a better crop.

Bonus tip: Sweetcorn pairs beautifully with squash and beans in the classic ‘three sisters’ planting method. These companions offer natural support, shade, and pest resistance!

Basil: Easy, Fragrant, and Rewarding

We absolutely love basil—it’s a kitchen and garden essential that brings bold flavour and vibrant greenery to borders, pots, and windowsills. To grow from seed, start indoors in a warm, bright spot. Fill small pots or seed trays with peat-free compost and lightly cover the seeds with sieved compost or vermiculite. Keep the soil moist (but not soaked) and warm until the seeds germinate.

Once seedlings develop their second set of leaves, pot them up individually. Then:

• Harden off slowly – start with a few hours outside each day, gradually increasing time before leaving them out overnight.
• Plant in groups – basil does best when several plants are grown together in containers or directly into free-draining soil.
• Pinch and pick often – harvest regularly and remove any flowers to keep the plant bushy and productive.

Beginner hack: Got a potted basil from the supermarket? It's likely crammed with tiny plants. Carefully separate the overcrowded clumps, repot them into individual containers, and you'll turn one wilting root-bound pot into a whole basil bounty!

Time to Harden Off and Plant Out

Hardening off is one of those often-skipped steps that can make a huge difference to your plants’ success. If you’ve been raising seedlings indoors or under cover, May is the time to help them adjust to life outside.

Over the course of a week or two:

• Take your plants outside during the day to enjoy the fresh air and natural light.
• Bring them back in at night, especially if frost is still at risk.
• After this adjustment period, leave them out overnight if temperatures are mild.

Once acclimatised, you can plant them into their final spots. This includes favourites like tomatoes, courgettes, beans and more.

Pro tip: When you’re transplanting, water the planting hole first. If you're using a drip irrigation system, lay the tubing before planting and guide your plants around the emitters to make watering super efficient from the start.

Sustainable Gardening Starts with Water-Smart Choices

We’re always talking about saving water—and for good reason. Gardeners are among the heaviest water users in summer, and with climate change bringing more extreme and unpredictable weather, it’s time to garden smarter, not harder.

• Install a water butt to collect rainwater – it's free water, and plants actually prefer it over tap water!
• Set out buckets, tubs, or watering cans when rain is on the way to catch even more.
• Plant closer together to shade the soil–dense planting reduces evaporation and helps retain moisture.
• Create your own mini rain garden using old containers, troughs, or even a disused bathtub to store and slowly release rainwater where it's needed.

And don't forget: the right irrigation system not only saves time, but ensures every drop is used wisely. Drip irrigation kits are perfect for patios, borders, and raised beds, delivering water exactly where it's needed.. With the addition of a programmable timer, you’ll never forget to water – and can even go on holiday without the usual worry.

Planting Strawberries in May

If you're dreaming of homegrown strawberries all summer, May is the perfect time to plant ever-bearing varieties. These types don't produce one big crop–they fruit little and often, giving you a steady supply from summer through to autumn.

Perfect for patios and containers, these strawberry plants can be planted now using cold-store runners or pot-grown plants. You'll be picking sweet, juicy berries within a couple of months–and enjoying regular harvests well into the early autumn. Pick a sunny, well-drained spot, water consistently, and mulch around the base to keep your fruit clean.

Wrapping Up

May is a glorious month, full of life and opportunity in the garden. From sowing to transplanting, training to watering – this is the time to get stuck in and enjoy every moment outdoors. With the right watering habits and helpful gardening tools like irrigation kits and timers, you’ll set yourself up for a lush, low-maintenance garden all summer long. Happy gardening – and don’t forget to share your progress with us. We love seeing what you grow!