The second half of May is a key period in the garden. Spring is well established, the days are longer, temperatures are becoming more favourable and vegetation is growing quickly. For many homeowners, this is also the moment when the garden truly starts to be used: outdoor meals, children playing, lawn care, vegetable garden, hedges, flower beds, first barbecues and the general desire to enjoy a clean and pleasant outdoor space.
But to achieve a beautiful result, it is not enough to wait for summer. This is when everything happens. A lawn mown at the right rhythm, neat edges, controlled hedges, well-managed green waste and suitable equipment can save a huge amount of time in the following weeks. This week, the goal is simple: regain control of the garden before the vegetation becomes too dense.
Here are the garden tasks to plan this week, with simple, practical and easy-to-apply advice, even if you are a beginner. The idea is not to do everything in a single day, but to prioritise the right actions at the right time to achieve a cleaner, healthier and more pleasant garden to enjoy.
Garden priorities for the week of 18 May
This week, the garden mainly requires observation and a few targeted actions. The lawn is growing quickly, edges are beginning to lose their neatness, weeds are appearing in paths, hedges are becoming denser, young plants need water and green waste is accumulating quickly. It is therefore an excellent time to tidy things up before summer arrives.
To avoid spreading yourself too thin, it is advisable to start with the most visible areas: the lawn, edges, terrace surroundings, entrance to the house and walkways. A garden can look much cleaner simply because the lawn is maintained, the edges are clear and tools or plant waste are not lying around everywhere.
If you are short on time, focus first on three actions: mowing the lawn, clearing overgrown areas and removing or reusing green waste. These are the tasks that give the fastest visual result and prevent the garden from becoming difficult to manage a few weeks later.
Maintaining the lawn this week: mowing, cutting height and finishing
In May, the lawn is often in full growth. It benefits from mild conditions, the moisture still present in the soil and brighter, longer days. This week, mowing is therefore one of the most important tasks. A regularly maintained lawn remains denser, more even and more pleasant underfoot.
For beginner gardeners, the main rule is not to cut too short. Mowing too low can weaken the grass, especially if the days become warmer or rainfall becomes less frequent. It is better to mow a little more often while keeping a reasonable height. This helps the lawn resist better, limits the appearance of yellow patches and keeps a more natural look.
If your lawn is already high, avoid cutting everything back too harshly in one go. A cut that is too severe can stress the grass. It is better to do a first mow slightly higher, then mow again a few days later if necessary. This approach is particularly useful for gardens that have not yet been maintained regularly since the beginning of spring.
To make this work easier, you can browse our selection of garden lawn mowers suited to regular lawn maintenance. For people who want to limit manual work, robot lawn mowers without perimeter wire are also a very interesting solution, especially for keeping the lawn short and clean without having to take out the mower every week. For very large plots, a high-performance ride-on mower can quickly prove useful.
Taking care of the edges to instantly give the garden a cleaner look
A mown lawn already gives a nice result, but it is often the edges that make the difference between a garden that is simply maintained and a garden that looks truly cared for. Grass overflowing along paths, fences, flower beds, trees or the terrace quickly gives an impression of disorder, even if the lawn has recently been cut.
This week is therefore ideal for taking care of the finishing touches. Work around areas where the mower cannot operate properly: fence bases, terrace edges, flower bed outlines, tree bases, slopes, narrow corners and areas around garden sheds. These small details are often what completely change the appearance of the outdoor space.
For this type of work, a brush cutter or multi-tool is often more practical than a standard mower. A brush cutter makes it possible to quickly cut tall grass, thick regrowth and hard-to-reach areas. It is particularly useful when the ground is uneven or when some parts of the garden have not been maintained for several weeks.
If you need to tidy up edges, clean overgrown areas or maintain more difficult terrain, view our selection of petrol brush cutters for efficiently clearing edges and tall grass. For more versatile maintenance, you can also choose our petrol multi-tools for clearing, trimming and pruning with a single machine.
Should you still scarify the lawn this week?
Scarifying is generally done in spring or autumn, when the lawn can regenerate properly. In this second half of May, it is still possible to intervene if your lawn is invaded by moss, appears suffocated or if water does not penetrate the soil properly. However, avoid scarifying during periods of strong heat or if the lawn is already stressed by a lack of water.
To know whether your lawn needs it, observe the surface. If you see a layer of thatch, a lot of moss or areas where the grass seems suffocated, light scarifying can help the soil breathe again. The goal is not to plough the ground, but to remove dead matter that prevents air, water and nutrients from properly reaching the roots.
After scarifying, it is important to collect the plant waste and, if necessary, reseed sparse areas. The lawn may look less attractive just after the intervention, but this is normal. Within a few weeks, it can grow back denser if conditions are good and if it receives suitable care.
For this task, you can discover our collection of electric scarifiers to aerate the lawn and remove moss and thatch. If you want to explore the subject further, our article Chestergarden garden tips for maintaining a denser and healthier lawn can also help you plan the next steps more effectively.
Trim hedges carefully and keep a neat shape
In May, hedges grow quickly. Some hedges begin to lose their shape, encroach on paths or hide certain areas of the garden. This week, light trimming can be useful to keep the outdoor space neat, especially around entrances, terraces, fences and walkways.
For beginner gardeners, one important thing to remember is that gradual maintenance trimming is better than cutting too harshly. A well-maintained hedge is worked on regularly. Cutting too severely can create gaps, weaken certain plants or give a less attractive result for several weeks.
Choose a mild and rather cloudy day if possible, especially if temperatures rise. Avoid trimming in strong direct sunlight, as fresh cuts can be more sensitive to drying out. Before starting, also check that the hedge does not contain an occupied nest. This is a simple but important precaution at this time of year.
For clean and more comfortable work, you can use a hedge trimmer suited to maintaining garden hedges and shrubs. If you also need to reach higher areas or combine trimming, pruning and clearing, our multi-tools for hedges, pruning and clearing can be particularly practical.
Clear weeds and regain control of overgrown areas
This week, weeds can grow very quickly, especially in gravel, paths, at the base of walls, along edges and in less-used areas. The best time to act is before they go to seed. The earlier you intervene, the easier maintenance remains.
Start with the passage areas: entrance, access to the garage, terrace, gate surroundings, main path and the areas around the house. These are the parts that immediately create an overall impression of cleanliness. Only afterwards should you move on to the more distant corners of the garden.
In dense or uneven areas, a brush cutter can save a huge amount of time. It allows you to quickly clear tall grass and regain control of areas that would be tedious to deal with by hand. For finer areas, it is often useful to complete the work with manual cleaning or a more precise tool.
If your garden includes tall grass, a slope, forgotten edges or a difficult area to restore, our selection of powerful brush cutters for restoring an overgrown garden can help you work faster and more cleanly.
What should you do with green waste this week? Shred, compost or remove it
After mowing, hedge trimming or clearing, green waste quickly accumulates. Fine branches, shrub trimmings, cut grass, remaining dead leaves and small regrowth can quickly clutter the garden. This week, it is therefore worth not only cutting, but also thinking about how to manage plant waste.
For branches, twigs and hedge trimmings, the garden shredder is a very practical solution. It reduces the volume of waste and produces useful shredded material for the garden. This shredded material can then be used as mulch at the base of hedges, flower beds or certain plants. It helps limit water evaporation, protect the soil and reduce weed regrowth.
For finer waste, such as leaves and certain dry grass cuttings, a composter can also be a good solution. Composting transforms part of the garden waste into useful material for enriching the soil. Simply avoid adding too much fresh grass at once, as it can compact and ferment.
To reduce the volume of your green waste, discover our electric garden shredders for branches, trimmings and green waste. To naturally reuse organic matter from the garden, you can also browse our selection of garden composters to turn green waste into compost.
Planting and transplanting after mid-May: the right time to move forward in the vegetable garden
After mid-May, many gardeners feel more comfortable planting crops that are sensitive to cold. Tomatoes, courgettes, peppers, aubergines, cucumbers, summer flowers and herbs can gradually be placed outdoors, provided you continue to pay attention to the local weather. The soil begins to warm up, which encourages young plants to establish themselves.
To succeed with planting, soil preparation is essential. Soil that is too compact, too dry or too poor can slow establishment. Before planting, loosen the soil, remove large weeds and possibly add mature compost. Water well after planting, then monitor the following days, especially in sun or wind.
If you are creating a new growing area, vegetable garden or flower bed, a tiller can make soil preparation easier. It loosens the soil more quickly than by hand, especially over a medium-sized area. The goal is not to deeply turn over all the soil every time, but to prepare a clean, loose area that is easier to plant.
To prepare the vegetable garden, flower beds or a new planting area, you can discover our electric tillers for loosening the soil in vegetable gardens and flower beds. If you want to protect certain crops or extend the season, our garden greenhouses to protect plants and succeed with sensitive crops can also be an excellent solution.
To organise your crops in a simple, clean and accessible way, you can also discover our raised vegetable beds, perfect for growing vegetables, herbs and small plants in a well-structured space.
Monitor young plants: water, slugs and growth recovery
Young plants installed in May are still fragile. Even if the season is favourable, they can suffer from lack of water, a sudden heatwave, wind or slugs. This week, take a few minutes to observe your recent plantings. A plant that wilts, turns yellow or stops growing often sends a signal that something needs to be corrected quickly.
Watering should be regular, but not excessive. It is better to water properly at the base of the plants than to lightly wet the surface every day. Watering too superficially encourages roots to remain near the surface, making the plant more sensitive to drought. Conversely, waterlogged soil can encourage disease or root asphyxia.
To make watering young plants, the vegetable garden, greenhouses or raised beds easier, you can also discover our watering solutions, including our drip irrigation kit, ideal for delivering water gradually, directly at the base of the plants.
Also think about mulching. A layer of organic matter at the base of plants limits evaporation, keeps the soil cooler and slows the growth of unwanted weeds. Shredded material produced with a garden shredder can be particularly useful around hedges, shrubs and flower beds. For the vegetable garden, adapt the type of mulch to the crops and avoid placing the material directly against the stems.
If you want to produce your own mulch from garden waste, browse our garden shredders for making natural mulch. To organise a more practical growing area, you can also discover our garden greenhouses to protect and organise young plants.
Prepare outdoor living spaces before summer
The garden is not limited to the lawn and vegetable garden. From mid-May onwards, terraces, dining areas, barbecue corners, pergolas, gazebos and shelters are used much more often. This week is therefore perfect for preparing the spaces where you will spend time as soon as the good weather arrives.
Start by cleaning the terrace, clearing the garden furniture, checking the condition of the barbecue or plancha, and removing weeds growing around slabs or edges. A well-organised outdoor space immediately makes you want to enjoy it. It is also the right time to check whether you need a shelter, shaded area, outdoor storage or more suitable cooking equipment.
If you enjoy cooking outdoors, you can discover our selection of garden barbecues for enjoying outdoor meals and gas planchas for easy outdoor cooking. To create a more comfortable area, our garden pergolas, gazebos and garden kiosks and pavilions can also transform the way you use your outdoor space.
Store garden equipment to save time every week
A well-maintained garden also depends on good equipment organisation. If the mower, hedge trimmer, brush cutter, shredder or hand tools are difficult to take out, maintenance quickly becomes a chore. Conversely, when everything is stored in the right place, you work faster and more willingly.
This week, take the time to check where your tools are stored. Motorised equipment should be protected from moisture, extension cables should be properly wound, accessories should remain accessible and cutting tools should be stored safely. It is also the right time to check the general condition of the equipment before the intensive use of June and July.
A garden shed can become a real organisation centre for outdoor maintenance. It allows you to store tools, bags of compost, gardening accessories, terrace equipment and sometimes even bicycles or outdoor toys. For a family, it is often a very useful everyday purchase because it frees up space in the garage and prevents equipment from being left outside.
To better organise your outdoor space, browse our selection of garden sheds for storing tools, lawn mower and outdoor equipment. If you are looking for a more targeted solution to protect your vehicle or create a covered space, you can also discover our carports and vehicle shelters as well as our garages.
Which tools should you use in the garden this week?
For this week of 18 May, the most useful tools are those that allow you to quickly resume general garden maintenance. A mower or robot lawn mower for the lawn, a brush cutter for edges and tall grass, a hedge trimmer for overgrown hedges, a garden shredder to reduce green waste, a tiller to prepare plantings and a garden shed to better store equipment.
The most important thing is to choose tools according to your terrain. A small family garden does not have the same needs as a large plot with slopes, long hedges and wild areas. For a simple garden, a mower, grass trimmer or small brush cutter may be enough. For more demanding terrain, a petrol brush cutter, a high-performance hedge trimmer and a garden shredder quickly become very useful.
At Chestergarden, we select equipment designed for homeowners who want to maintain their garden seriously, without necessarily being professionals. The goal is to offer practical, robust equipment suited to real garden needs: cutting, trimming, cleaning, shredding, preparing, storing and enjoying.
For a complete overview, you can browse our main garden categories: lawn mowers for lawn maintenance, robot lawn mowers without perimeter wire, brush cutters for tall grass and difficult edges, hedge trimmers for maintaining hedges, garden shredders to reduce green waste, tillers for preparing soil and garden sheds for organising outdoor equipment.
A simple programme for gardening efficiently this week
If you do not know where to start, here is a simple method. On the first available day, mow the lawn and tidy up the edges. This will immediately give the garden a cleaner appearance. Then spend some time on hedges, shrubs and overgrown areas. The third key stage can be reserved for green waste: shredding, composting, removal or mulching.
Once these tasks are completed, you can move on to planting, the vegetable garden and finishing touches. Water young plants, add mulch if necessary, clean the terrace, store the equipment and prepare relaxation areas. This organisation avoids starting everywhere without finishing anything properly.
For beginners, remember this: a pleasant garden does not necessarily require entire days of work, but it does require good regularity. One well-used hour each week can often avoid a much more tiring major clean-up later. The secret is to intervene before the grass becomes too high, the hedges grow too far out and green waste accumulates.
Conclusion: this week, we truly prepare the garden for summer
The week of 18 May is ideal for giving the garden real momentum. The lawn is growing, plants are settling in, hedges are becoming denser and outdoor spaces are beginning to come fully to life. By acting now, you prepare a cleaner, more comfortable garden that is easier to maintain throughout the beginning of summer.
The priorities are clear: mow without cutting too short, tidy up the edges, monitor young plants, lightly trim hedges if necessary, shred or compost green waste and organise the equipment. With the right actions and the right tools, the garden becomes easier to manage and much more enjoyable to use.
To equip yourself efficiently this season, Chestergarden supports you with a wide selection of equipment for garden maintenance, lawn care, hedges, green waste, the vegetable garden and outdoor landscaping. Discover our garden collections and start preparing a clean, practical outdoor space ready for the sunny days.
FAQ: what should you do in the garden this week?
Should you mow the lawn this week?
Yes, if the lawn has grown well, mowing is one of the week’s priorities. It is better to mow regularly without cutting too short. Mowing too low can weaken the grass, especially if temperatures rise. For easier maintenance, you can use a mower suited to your surface area or choose a robot lawn mower without perimeter wire.
Can you still scarify the lawn in May?
Yes, it is still possible if the lawn is invaded by moss or thatch, provided you avoid periods of strong heat or drought. After scarifying, you should collect the waste, water if necessary and allow the lawn to regenerate. An electric scarifier makes this work easier.
Which tools are most useful in the garden this week?
The most useful tools this week are the lawn mower, brush cutter, hedge trimmer, garden shredder, tiller and outdoor storage equipment. These tools make it possible to manage the main needs of May: lawn, edges, hedges, green waste, planting and equipment organisation.
What should you do with green waste after trimming or mowing?
Green waste can be shredded, composted or removed depending on its nature. Fine branches and hedge trimmings can be passed through a garden shredder to produce shredded material. Softer waste can go into a garden composter, taking care to balance dry and moist materials.
Is this the right time to plant in the vegetable garden?
Yes, the second half of May is generally favourable for many plantings, especially if the nights are milder. It remains important to monitor the local weather, water young plants properly and prepare loose soil. To make soil preparation easier, an electric tiller can be very practical.
How can you keep a garden clean with little time?
The most effective method is to work by priority. Start with the lawn, edges and visible areas. Then take care of the hedges, weeds and green waste. With a good weekly rhythm and suitable equipment, maintenance becomes much easier. A garden shed can also help keep tools accessible and well organised.
Why do this work now rather than in summer?
Acting now prevents vegetation from becoming too dense. In May, grass, hedges and plants are in full growth. If maintenance is regular during this period, the garden will be easier to manage in June and July. It is also the right time to prepare outdoor living spaces before outdoor meals, barbecues and family moments in the garden.
