May gardening weather

Garden and greenhouse owners can make the most of the month of May by understanding the weather they are likely to experience.

According to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), this is one of the sunniest periods of the year for Scotland and Wales, with up to 180 hours of sunlight.

The south of England can also experience around 200 hours of fairly strong sunshine, which is ideal for encouraging growth.

Meanwhile, the less frequent rain allows soil to dry out and can be good news for those planting seeds.

However, it is important to remember that developing plants require a lot of water, so it may be beneficial to provide regular hydration in the absence of heavy rain.

The wind is generally gentler in May, although thunderstorms can bring gales and hailstones that may be damaging to young plants.

Unpredictable or changeable temperatures can cause problems as warm periods often encourage soft growth, making the species susceptible to scorching from drying winds and cold snaps.

In other news, the RHS recently revealed that famous gardener Alan Titchmarsh has been named as president of Plant Heritage.