May in the Garden
- Aerate lawns to improve water absorption.
- Check your watering systems for clogged and misplaced spray heads.
- Deep water trees and rebuild water basins. Mulch trees to reduce summer heat stress and conserve water.
- Check moisture of compost pile and turn over.
- Feed roses and remove faded blooms for continuous blooming.
- Fertilize lawn and established perennials.
Central Park Gardens of Davis Apply at least 3 inches of mulch to garden areas to conserve water and prevent weeds.
- Fertilize indoor plants as needed.
- Fertilize aquatic plants.
- Feed citrus trees.
- Treat scale on ornamentals with light weight oil.
- Thin fruit crops to encourage larger fruit.
- Use nets to protect ripening fruit from birds.
- Cut flowers early in the day for arrangements.
Planting Guide
Vegetables & Herbs
- Start seeds in green house or cold frame for carrots, cucumber, corn, melons, squash, green beans, lettuce, spinach, celery, tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers.
- Directly seed carrots, cucumber, corn, green beans, melons and squash.
- Transplant seedlings or purchased plants of lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and cucumber.
- Harvest spinach, peas, cauliflower, broccoli, first onions, and cabbage.
- Again, refer to planting guide for best timing of spring vegetable seeds and transplants.
Bulbs and Flowers
- Plant annuals such as ageratum, lobelia, marigolds, zinnias, and annual vinca.
- Plant perennials such as alstromeria, coreopsis, dahlia, vinca (periwinkle), purple coneflower, Shasta daisy, and yarrow.