As the warm days of May roll in and gardens across the UK burst into life, green-fingered Brits are being encouraged to carry out one key gardening task "from your armchair", that doesn’t require tools, wellies, or even leaving the house.

Thompson and Morgan, one of the UK’s leading seed and plant retailers, has urged gardeners to perform a surprisingly simple habit that could transform your planting success year-round. The experts say: "Keep a diary of which seeds you’re sowing and planting to help you stay on top of things throughout the year. The idea is to log what you’ve sown, when you planted it, and how well it performed. 

Not only does this help with planning and productivity, but it also prevents repeating the same mistakes, or forgetting which tomato variety actually thrived in your soggy soil.

May is the perfect time to begin. With longer days and milder temperatures, now is the season to tidy up fading spring blooms, begin planting summer flowers in earnest, and even start planning for autumn crops.

It’s a busy month in the garden, and staying organised is key.

There’s still plenty of time to sow hardy annuals, salad leaves, and root vegetables like carrots and beetroot. Dahlias, cosmos, and zinnias are also popular May picks for stunning summer colour.

Meanwhile, tomato plants and tender courgettes can be hardened off and moved outside once risk of frost has passed.

But while it’s tempting to rush into the soil, Thompson & Morgan reminds gardeners that thoughtful planning is just as important as planting.

A garden diary could be your best friend in staying one step ahead, and it can be as simple as a notebook or keeping track on your notes app.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a curious beginner, the humble garden diary could be the most powerful tool you add to your shed this year — no digging required.