The Cutting Garden : May 2026

May weaves itself around the cutting garden. My ‘big beds’ are surrounded by a cosy blanket of fresh green leaves. Every corner of the cutting garden has sprung into life.

Flowering shrubs and perennials such as; Guelder Roses, Viburnum Opulus ‘Snowball‘, Lilacs and Hardy Geraniums, some deliberately planted others self planted, are having their moment. Each variety giving workshops and arrangements an earthy and wild feel. Something I’m not sad about.

May in the cutting garden is one of my favourites, along with September. The sense of the season opening up fills me with delightful anticipation. There is still time to sow seeds AND create flowers beds if needed. The flowering season is about to unfurl. The first job on the list this month is to get my final seeds sown. Early May, with increasing temperatures and day length is perfect for getting the ‘hot’ flowers on their way.

On my list to sow are; Cosmos, seed Dahlia’s, Amaranth, Sweet Annie, more Strawflowers, Sunflowers (helianthus), Zinnia’s and Asters. All being well, each should germinate quickly and bring the colour to late summer and autumn weddings and workshops.

You can find a seed list here – Seeds to Sow for Summer 

Once the seeds have been sown, it’s time to turn attention to the flower beds. Out come the tulips. I either compost the bulbs or throw them around the more permanent beds in hope of them flowering again next year. The beds will be topped up with a fresh mix of multipurpose compost and well rotted manure. If there is a fresh batch in my compost bin, I’ll add some homemade compost too. It’s been very dry, so I’ll make sure all beds get a really good soaking as everything gets planted out. If you’re on Instagram or Facebook, follow me @lottsandlots. I share updates ‘live’ from the garden throughout the week.

With a few less weddings on my books this year. I’d like to use the time to experiment with direct sowing. I have a few packets gathered in the hope of scattering seeds directly into the earth and seeing what happens. I remember the first year I did this with cosmos, the results were amazing.

One of the great gifts the garden gives, is the yearly opportunity to try new things and keep learning. When I have weddings, I have to grow to a tight schedule and therefore not the space I need to try new ideas. Now I have a less urgency, I can’t wait to see what happens.

Finding your way in the garden is the best way to learn. We each have difference spaces and conditions. Being brave and sowing those seeds you have stashed in the cupboard is the only way you’ll find out what your garden likes (and doesn’t).

Whilst getting a coffee this morning, I had this very conversation with a new gardener. Please don’t worry about getting the garden ‘right’ get outside and do your best. The Earth is there to catch you if you fall, trust the process and remember to water your pots!

If you’d like to get garden updates on a monthly basis, sign up to my newsletter. Once a month I send out a juicy update of life in and around the garden. It’s filled with all that’s inspiring me and I hope will inspire you too.