Monty Don advises letting plants 'harden off' to keep them thriving
According to gardening expert Monty Don, while May is the perfect time to plant annuals, it is important to let them "harden off".
As warmer weather spreads across the UK, gardening enthusiasts are gearing up to transform their outdoor spaces.
One common thing most people are looking for is vibrant blooms in their gardens.
According to expert Monty Don, while May is the perfect time to plant annuals such as sunflowers, zinnias, cosmos, and tobacco plants, it is important to let them “harden off”.
He said: "Hardening off is important and will mean much faster growing and longer-lasting flowers.
"If you buy any of these annuals from a garden centre over the coming weeks, do not plant them out immediately.
"Put them in a sheltered place for a week to acclimatise to your garden, as they will probably have been kept sheltered for best retail display."
Once acclimatized, these annuals thrive when planted in sunny yet sheltered areas of the garden.
Monty advises spacing them approximately 12 to 18 inches apart and watering them thoroughly.
With proper care, these plants are poised to bloom vigorously well into autumn, provided temperatures do not dip below five degrees Celsius.
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In addition to planting techniques, Monty said it is also important to use feeds high in potash to promote robust root and flower formation in flowering plants.
He recommends a weekly feed using liquid seaweed or proprietary liquid tomato feed as effective options.
The key, he notes, is to provide just the right amount of nutrients, avoiding over-fertilization.
