May is a generous month in the garden. Growth is no longer tentative but full of confidence. Borders are swelling, hedges thickening out, and there is movement everywhere. As bees drift lazily between flowers and birds dart busily about, it is a month that rewards time spent outside, even if it’s only to take it all in.

As the risk of frosts fade, tender plants can finally take their places outdoors. Dahlias, cannas and young tomato plants can be planted out once they’ve been properly hardened off. This moment always feels like a small milestone; the garden opening its doors to summer.

Keep everything looking natural

Perennials will be stretching now and it’s worth getting supports in place before they really need them. It may feel premature, but letting plants grow up through their supports keeps everything looking far more natural later on. Peonies, delphiniums and taller asters will all benefit from a bit of early foresight.

For those perennials that tend to get a little unruly in the flower bed, the Chelsea Chop is still an option this month. It can feel counterintuitive to cut back healthy growth, but plants like nepeta, sedum and achillea respond with bushier habits and a longer flowering season.

A simple mulch will help retain moisture

The vegetable garden should be properly underway too. Courgettes, sweetcorn and beans can be planted out, while carrots, beetroot and salads can be sown directly into the soil. Keep an eye on watering if the weather turns dry – seedlings in particular can struggle if left unchecked. A simple mulch around young plants will help retain moisture and keep competition from weeds to a minimum.

Speaking of weeds, May has a habit of producing them in abundance, but not all need to be dealt with in one fell swoop. A little tolerance goes a long way, and leaving the odd patch of clover or daisies in the lawn will do no harm at all.

A good balance between order and wildness

‘No Mow May’ continues to grow in popularity and even partially embracing it, by leaving sections to grow or mowing gentle paths through longer grass, can result in a pleasing balance between order and wildness.

Finally, it’s a good time to keep an eye on pests without reaching straight for a solution. Slugs will be active, but encouraging birds, hedgehogs and frogs into the garden is a far more sustainable approach than pellets. A healthy, balanced garden will often take care of these things for you.

It is a busy month in the garden, but it is also abundant. A little effort now and a willingness to work with the garden rather than against it will carry you comfortably into the months ahead.

Daniel Hoggins is a garden writer who favours relaxed, wildlife-friendly gardening over perfection. With hands-on experience in private gardens, he offers practical advice rooted in the belief that not every weed is a villain and that our gardens should be of benefit to more than just us.