Gardening weather for this month

14:58 6th May 2010

Brits who love getting their hands dirty in the garden and greenhouse may know how important the weather is to their success.

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has published a list of conditions to expect during the month of May to better prepare growers for what lies ahead.

It said that the wind should generally be lighter, but that thunderstorms can bring gales and hailstones that can be damaging to plants.

Meanwhile, Scotland and Wales will enjoy their sunniest month of the year, with around 170 to 180 hours of sunshine.

The south of England will get up to 200 hours of bright sunlight, although the summer months may provide even more.

In terms of irrigation, it is important to keep plants hydrated as May is one of the driest months.

While this is useful for planting seeds, young saplings need water to grow, so it is essential to give them a regular soak.

Garden enthusiasts seeking inspiration could head to one of the RHS' events this summer, with the organisation set to host the Chelsea Flower Show later in the month.