Monty Don Warns: ‘Do This Job’ this month Before It’s Too Late for Spring Blooms

With warmer days and sunny skies finally here, many of us are turning our attention to the garden, getting everything in shape to enjoy the summer. But gardening expert Monty Don has a timely reminder for green thumbs everywhere — there’s one simple task you shouldn’t skip if you want your garden to burst with blooms next spring.

The Gardeners’ World host says now is the perfect time to grab your shears, as two particular plants need a quick trim in May to ensure they thrive next year. It’s an easy job, but one that can make a big difference when spring returns.

Monty Don has some key advice for anyone growing tulips or clematis — now’s the time to deadhead them. Deadheading is a simple but important task that involves removing faded or wilted flower heads, helping the plant focus its energy on healthy new growth.

Even after the blooms fade, the stems are still drawing in nutrients. By snipping off the dead petals and heads, you allow the plant to redirect those nutrients to developing new blooms. But timing matters — delay too long, and you could end up with underwhelming flowers next spring.

Tulips, known for their bold colors and sweet scent, are a favorite in many gardens. Monty recommends deadheading them once their winter display is over.

He explained, “If you have tulips growing in borders, deadhead them once they are past their best.” Taking this small step now can lead to a far more vibrant garden next year.

Monty Don advises that deadheading tulips is essential for encouraging strong blooms in the following season. “By removing the faded flowers, you prevent seed development, allowing the plant to redirect its energy toward forming new bulbs for next year,” he explains.

For best results, Monty recommends simply snapping off the withered flower head using your fingers — no tools required. However, he cautions against overdoing it. Trimming stems or leaves at this stage can actually reduce next year’s growth potential. The focus should be solely on removing the spent blooms.

If you have early-flowering clematis, May is also the time to give them a light prune. Monty suggests pruning them as soon as the flowers fade to promote healthy new shoots. While the exact timing may vary depending on location, he notes that “for many of us, this occurs at the end of May.” Pruning too late can result in weaker, sparser blooms the following spring.

In addition, Monty recently offered a helpful tip for protecting tulip bulbs from squirrels. He recommends placing thorny rose bush trimmings over the soil in a crisscross pattern. This simple barrier makes it more difficult for squirrels to dig, keeping your bulbs safe and your planting intact.